A Local Surfer Breaks Down The Hong Kong Surfing Ban

A local surfer based in Shek O tells Sassy what the Hong Kong surfing ban is and what it means to the local surf community.

When headlines broke last year that Hong Kong was set to ban surfing on all public beaches, most of us had the same initial reaction: WTF? The question of why was a close second, but the official reason cited by Hong Kong’s Leisure And Cultural Services Department, which manages 42 of the city’s public beaches — including surfing hotspots Big Wave Bay and Shek O — didn’t exactly clear things up. That reason was ‘public safety’, with the governing body claiming that surfing endangers swimmers and first responders. But Adam, a local surfer who asked to stay anonymous (his name has been changed!), argues that the opposite is true; and worse yet, that the consequences of the ban far outweigh the benefits.

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Breaking Down The Surf Ban

It may come as a surprise to hear that the surfing ban has actually always existed, it’s only recently that authorities have started enforcing it. Adam says this is common practice in Hong Kong, that the government often puts a ‘blanket ban’ on certain activities and frequently turns a blind eye, but there’s always a legal precedent to crack down if need be. And crack down they have. At least two surfers in Big Wave Bay have already been caught breaking the ban, a choice that could warrant $2,000 in fines and up to 14 days in jail.

So, why begin enforcing the ban now? It’s unclear, Adam told us. ‘There was no “official statement” given to the community, although many of us have our theories. It makes a lot of us dive into conspiracies, because the surf community is quite subcultural and subversive. Either way, we all found out through the grapevine — for me, through people in Shek O village and other surfers. Then, basically overnight, the signs came up.’ Those signs, now littered across beaches in Hong Kong, state simply and without any other explanation: ‘No Surfing.’

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Why Does It Matter?

For those who are not a part of the surf community, the ban may seem pretty harmless. But there are plenty of businesses that rely on the surfing community, from surfboard rental to watersport accessories and beachside restaurants and bars frequented by surfers. With regular Hong Kong surfers not showing up and surfing tourism permanently halted, these business owners may have to close up shop. Adam says there are some who think that consequence may be intentional, because without the surf community or local businesses in the way, ‘there’s a huge potential for gentrification, to turn Big Wave Bay or Shek O into another Stanley or Repulse Bay.’

Then there is what started it all: the safety factor.

While there are some cases of amateur surfers in Hong Kong getting washed out to sea and putting first responders at risk, Adam claims that surfers more often are the first responders in these situations. ‘This is anecdotal, but I know of so many cases involving surfers (including myself!) who have been a part of rescues before lifeguards or anyone else could reach the victim. We are the ones who know these waters best, and safety is super important to us.’ He also points out that during the winter, lifeguards aren’t typically on duty, leaving a major gap in first responders. ‘You know who’s out in the water at all times of day, during the winter, with tons of experience dealing with choppy waters? Surfers.’