Licencing - hm?

Polzeath has long been a flagship of the Council. Because they provide the lifeguarding, and therefore the duty of care, they restrict the number of operators and boards on the beach. Makes total sense. It would be a bun fest otherwise. So we're licenced. What does that mean? Basically we're allowed to teach so many people at a time, dependant on tide. To be honest, we reduce the numbers at high tide anyway when the surfing area is reduced - as we also have a duty of care that we take very seriously. The restrictions are essentially an agree

ment based around common sense. In addition to this, all our instructors have to be qualified and a risk assessment has to be provided of the beach.

I was therefore a little confused when O'Neill turned up last week for a promo day. I have no issues with promo days - meet the pros etc, the kids love all that. But there is a very big issue when a big brand turns up and run surf lessons without any consideration for the restrictions that are in place for the other operators on the beach. I've asked the question of the council, who we have a very good relationship with - developed over many years. I've asked whether O'Neill were licenced for the day or what permissions they were given. Did they provide certificates of instructors, beach risk assessments - as surely the same rules apply to them as to us. I'm sure the answers will come. On the basis that this falls outside of the current restrictions, it could be seen as at best, really arrogant. And a huge risk. Can you imagine if one of our students had been hit by one their's, surfing (unadvisably) through the white water on a hard board (I saw it myself and it was very, very busy)). Thing is, I really like O'Neill as a brand. We visited their home town of Santa Cruz a few years ago, so much history. If I'm not wearing Surf's Up! gear, it's O'Neill. There's a few brands out there that I really haven't got much (any) time for, who've latched onto surfing so they can sell more product - O'Neill isn't one of them. They're very much a core brand.

Restrictions are put in place to safeguard all water users - it doesn't matter who you are or how big you are! Isn't that the point of having them? Or is it a case of, it's not what you know...... and if that's the case, that's just wrong with a capital W.