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ARCHIVED - Orihuela modifies local law to allow surfing when red flag is flying
Surfers can now practice their sport on Cala Cerrada when bathers are prohibited from entering the water by the red flag
The Town Hall in Orihuela has taken a step in favour of surfers in the area and has modified the Beach Ordinance to allow surfing on the beaches when the red flag is flying, whereas up to now this flag, which indicates dangerous swimming conditions, has prohibited bathers and surfers alike from entering the sea.
The modification will allow surfers who have a federative license to practice their sport on Cala Cerrada when the red flag is flying. The reason for requiring a federated license is to ensure that the surfer is insured in case of an accident; becoming a federated member of a sports association is practical way of ensuring that those who enjoy active sports can do so in the full knowledge that they are covered by insurance for any injuries they may cause to either themselves or other people whilst enjoying their chosen sport.
Membership of a federation is generally inexpensive and offers many other benefits, such as meet-ups, organised events and very often practical help with problems encountered whilst practising the sport, and there are often Wattsapp groups associated with these organisations which can be extremely helpful.
Surfers have the freedom to choose their own timetable during the quiet season, but during the summer (from June 15 until September 15) they are limited to 8 pm until 10 am, in order to allow bathers access to the water. However, according to the new modification, if the red flag is flying, which is often when the waves are at their most active and therefore of most interest to surfers, they can surf during the rest of the day as well.
The practice of this sport is limited to Cala Cerrada, located in La Zenia, one of the 11 beaches on the coast of Orihuela that possess optimal surfing conditions.
This modification is something that surfers in the area have been requesting for some time and many of these surf-lovers have even received fines over the years for surfing out of the established time slots and on beaches where the sport isn’t authorized.
In addition, informative panels will be put up on the beach with “surf rules”, which most professional surfers are already aware of, but may be of use to amateur surfers.
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