Surfrider Foundation: MAKING WAVES, New Jersey Drops Surfing Ban


	A WIN FOR THE JERSEY SHORE! Mantoloking Drops Surf Ban MAKING WAVES, June/July 1998

I Imagine, if you will, a surf break which you are banned from surfing....
    That was the situation for New Jersey surfers until the Jersey Shore Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation filed a lawsuit to gain equal access for surfers to the Borough of Montoloking's beaches during the summer months. Robert Roman, mayor of the Borough Mantoloking and Dr. William Rosenblatt, chairman of the Jersey Shore Chapter, announced the settlement of the lawsuit in April.
    "There are no losers in this case, only winners, and the biggest winners are our children", said longtime Mantoloking resident, Ted Robinson, who was also a plaintiff in the case. The lawsuit was triggered on July 5, 1997, when Robinson chose to defy the surf ban and paddle out into the ocean and surf several waves. Because Robinson paddled out after 10 a.m., he was called out of the surf by and given a summons.
    Under the terms of the settlement, surfers will no longer be barred from the Borough's beaches from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer months. Additionally, surfers will no longer have to purchase a separate surfing badge and an identification decal. Surfers will still have to purchase and display a valid beach badge issued by the Borough, the Mantoloking Beach Association or the South Beach Association.
    Even before the settlement agreement was finalized, Mantoloking officials moved to amend the surfing ordinance by eliminating the surf ban and extra badge requirements. The new ordinance was approved by the Council at its April 20th meeting and is effective immediately. A portion of the previous ordinance which required surfers to wear leashes and to stay 200 feet from swimmers was not challenged and will remain the law. The new ordinance also makes clear that swimmers have priority in the water.
    "We are very please with this settlement," said Major Roman, adding, "Surfrider has convinced the Council of its intent to work with, rather than against the community." To further the spirit of cooperation between the Borough and the Foundation, members of the Jersey Shore Chapter have volunteered to spend a day at the beach with local surfers to explain the rules pertaining to surfing and water safety.
    Chapter Chairman William Rosenblatt was equally pleased with the terms of the settlement, stating, "Surfrider is an advocate of equal beach access but does not mean that we go looking for a fight. We think that cooperation with municipal officials is always preferable".
    Since being founded six years ago, the Chapter has championed beach access successfully opening surfing beaches in Deal, Dover Township and Point Pleasure Beach.
    A tidal wave of thanks to the pro bono attorneys representing the Chapter: Philip G. Mylod and William H. McKinnon, both of Lavallette, New Jersey.

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