Huge Turnout Protests Beach Closure at Broadbench
Watch a short film of this day here.
A new campaign by Surfers Against Sewage called Protect Our Waves (POW) had its first action on Saturday, June 20th. In what was perhaps the world's largest International Surfing Day event, a massive paddle-out called The Gathering was held to protest closure of a surfing wave at Kimmeridge Bay in Britain, in association with local campaign group Access BroadBench Association (ABBA). Over 350 surfers from across the nation joined SAS and ABBA and paddled out at Kimmeridge Bay on International Surfing Day. The action called on the Secretary of State for Defence to allow surfer access to Broadbench, a special wave found on the outer boundary of a Ministry of Defence (MoD) firing range.
Broadbench is a quality wave in Kimmeridge Bay, described by many as one of Britain’s best. Unfortunately it falls right on the outer boundary of a MoD firing range. SAS are not asking the MoD to reduce their use of this important firing range. However, SAS believe there is a compromise that will ensure surfers and waveriders can have 100% access to Broadbench without impacting on the MoD’s full use of the firing range.
Surfers Against Sewage is calling on the Secretary of State for Defence to implement SAS’s compromise, changing where the MoD currently fire from. This will in turn change the direction of the MoD’s firing and could leave Broadbench outside the boundary of the firing range. It will not impact on the MoD’s use of the firing range, leaving surfers and waveriders with 100% access to Broadbench and the MoD full use of their range.
Andy Cummins, Surfers Against Sewage Campaign Manager says: “This unprecedented level of support from UK surfers really highlights the importance of the SAS Protect Our Waves Campaign. Broadbench is a special wave with some special surfers protecting it. Today, International Surfing Day, the UK water sports community stood up for their rights, and lefts! We’re now calling on the Secretary of State for Defence to do everything in his power to implement a compromise at Broadbench.”
Guy Penwarden, local Broadbench surfer and ABBA campaigner says: “Today SAS, ABBA and hundreds of UK surfers united to protect Broadbench, a special wave, a jewel in the British surfing crown. Surfers and the MoD can use this area without conflict and we hope the Secretary of State for Defence will recognise this. ”
About the issue: Broadbench is a quality wave in Kimmeridge Bay in the United Kingdom, described by many as one of Britain’s best surf spots. Unfortunately it is located on the outer boundary of a Ministry of Defense (MoD) firing range and recently the MoD has announced closure of public access due to changes in the firing range activities.
Surfers are calling on the MoD to revert to a previous firing location, changing where they fire from. This will in turn change the direction of their firing and leave Broadbench outside the boundary of the firing range, allowing surfers and waveriders to have 100% access to Broadbench without it impacting MoD military activities in any way.
More information about The Gathering and campaign at www.broadbench.co.uk and more information about the problem and the new SAS Protect Our Waves campaign at Surfers Against Sewage.
Above: surfers protest military closure of Broadbench with huge turnout on International Surfing Day.
Above: this perfect wave and beautiful beach in the UK could be closed to public access if the Ministry of Defense does not recognize its value to the local community and surfers.
