Surfers concerned that access to Lake Erie could be restricted, as Port Colborne, Ont., reviews beach use
CBC
Surfers in Port Colborne, Ont., are concerned that a current assessment by the local council of beach access points will impact their ability to use Lake Erie.
After receiving complaints related to "higher rates of public use and congregation" at beaches in the area, the city has commissioned a study of eight roads that end at Lake Erie — entry points which "either operate as informal public beaches now or could do so in the future," the city's draft report reads.
Michelle Idzenga, communications officer for Port Colborne, told CBC in an email there have been a variety of concerns, including trespassing and boat launching, at those entry points.
The municipality completed a public survey and held a meeting on the issue in December and was accepting comments on a draft report until end of day Monday, with the hope of identifying policies to ensure "effective municipal management" of the area.
The area is known for its beaches, and has been a popular spot for surfers for many years, in both warm and cold weather.
Matt Roy, vice president of the Wyldewood Surf Club, has been surfing since he was 13. His family has owned a waterfront property on Wyldewood Beach near Port Colborne since 1950.
Roy and others told CBC they have seen an increase in use of beach entry points during the pandemic. He says he is concerned surfers might be left out by the city as an interest group and is hoping the city distinguishes different users when deciding how to regulate access to the water.
Traffic that is drawn to Port Colborne beaches in summer months has resulted in some locals complaining about noise, litter and parking by beachgoers, says Roy, but surfers do not contribute to those issues, he added.
"We're cleaning up the beach where we surf, but we're also building relationships with the locals and letting them get familiar with our faces," Roy said, referring to the two beach clean-ups per year the Wyldewood Surf Club hosts.
This has allowed the surf club to build relationships in the community that have lasted 30 years or longer, Roy said.
"They're happy with surfers because we clean and we're happy because they're allowing us to continue accessing their beach," he said.
Nicholas Ray is a surfer from Toronto who met other area surfers during the early months of the pandemic.
Ray said it is unfortunate to have beach access in Port Colborne negatively impacted by large numbers of people heading to the beach and not respecting the space.
"Kids had late night parties, left garbage and things like that," Ray said. He says he is worried city decisions will be informed by actions of those who are disrespecting the space, and not those of surfers.
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