The Buzz on Broward Beaches

Surfrider Foundation Broward County Chapter

2011-05-13T17:38:00.003-04:00

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http://broward.surfrider.org/

Water Quality Alert For Broward Beaches!

2008-01-24T22:58:00.001-05:00

If you are planning on surfing or recreating on Broward Beaches this week , you may consider taking the following precautions.

Consider:

It is probably wise to wear earplugs and avoid swallowing ocean water.

Shower off with soap and water, as soon as possible after surfing in questionable waters.

If an illness does occur and appears to be related to surfing, report it to the Surfrider Foundation.

Support ecological-minded businesses and organizations.

Get involved with Surfrider, and other environmental groups working to create long-term solutions.

The coastal beach water samples collected by the county health departments are analyzed for enterococci and fecal coliform bacteria. High concentrations of these bacteria may indicate the presence of microorganisms that could cause disease, infections, or rashes.

"A lot of water sampling is done once a week, but there usually is a one- to four-day delay between the time a sample is taken and testing results are known,"

Broward beaches have had bacteria in the water in the last three weeks. Surfrider Broward County would anticapate that the water samples will show bacteria again. Florida Healthy Beaches- Broward County Water Results

Beach Water Qualty – Beach Water Qualty – Beach Water Quality.org
Polluted Runoff Status: are updated a few times a day.

This is todays status -
Polluted Runoff Status: Warning!Runoff report last updated 2008-01-24 4:00 PM.
here has been heavy rain (more than three-tenths of an inch) in the coastal watershed within the past 3 days, so there are high amounts of polluted runoff in beach waters countywide. There is also an elevated risk of sewage entering coastal waters. Contact with beach water is not recommended until after 72 hours after the end of the last rain event

Water Samples Results Florida Healthy Beaches Program
POMPANO BEACH PIER - Moderate
COMMERCIAL BLVD PIER - Poor
OAKLAND PARK BLVD - Moderate
BIRCH STATE PARK - Moderate
SEBASTIAN STREET - Poor
HALLANDALE BEACH BLVD -Moderate

Contact us at – mailto:broward@surfrider.org?subject=Water

Reference:
Florida Healthy Beaches- Broward County Water Results
Beach Water Qualty – Beach Water Quality.org
State of The Beach

February 6, 2008

February 6, 2008 - Levels were tested to be as high as 10 times the allowable level. County Water Test Report

Please note that WARNING signs are posted at the following sites and swimming is not advised at this time:
NE 16 Street at A1A – Pompano
Commercial Blvd Pier – Fort Lauderdale
Birch State Park at A1A – Fort Lauderdale
Sebastian Street at A1A – Fort Lauderdale
Bahia Mar at A1A – Fort Lauderdale
Hallandale Beach Blvd. at A1A – Hallandale
Pompano, Ft. Lauderdale,Lauderdale-By-The Sea and Hallandale beach will remain closed to swimmers until the warning is lifted

Fecal Bacteria was also reported on beaches in Fort Lauderdale and Hallandale Beach. Beach closings are decided by each city, Rosen said. News Article Updated Weekly:Water Samples Results Florida Healthy Beaches Program
Updated Daily: Beach Water Quality Forecast For Broward

Trespass - Deerfield - Respect The Surf Area

2008-01-23T10:38:00.000-05:00

Photo Courtesy of Trespass Surf Club
We Need your Help: Here is the skinny. We need every surfer in the water at Trespass to respect the surf zone. There has been a little static in the water because of misinformation. This weekend the guards were out of breath from blowing the whistle nonstop. The lineup was talking smack instead of enjoying the waves.

The Deerfield crew worked very hard to expand the surfzone at Trespass in 2006 and we need to remind others in the lineup not to surf north of Stand 7! Educate anyone who does not know the rules before they paddle out, respect the guards when they have to enforce the city code, They don't make the rules! If you hear the guards whistle help them out by spreding the word in the water! The guards have the abilty to expand or constrict the surf zone based on safety (wink.. wink..) We have an awesome surf spot lets protect it by educating, and enforcing the rules in the water! See you in the lineup.

Background
Surfrider Foundation Broward County Chapter has been made aware of surfers being up in arms over Deerfield Beach Lifeguards stationed at (North of Trespass) Stand # 7 whistling surfers who surf north of the stand. The surfers have stated that in the past surfing zone flags have been placed at the corner of the Cove Condo (North of Stand) and they have surfed north of the stand. The surfers have also stated that the lifeguard have no right to whistle surfers out of the water when surfing directly in front of the Cove Condo.

Surfrider made some calls talked with a bunch of folks which included Ken Collette from Greenback Surf Club, Capt. Lee M. from Deerfield Ocean Rescue, Lou Rodas of Trespass Surf Club and Island Water Sports Deerfield Beach. This is what we know and found out.

The Facts:
Surfing was expanded from Stand 7, South to Stand 8, Stand ending at Trespass ( Hillsboro Beach) on Tuesday, May 2, 2006. This was do the hard work of Luis "Lou" Rodas, Trespass Surf Club, Deerfield BeachUnderground Surf Company and Island Water Sports, and the Surfrider Foundation, the City’s Ocean Rescue Department and the City Manager’s Office and Embassy's Suites.

This was a great victory for the surfing family in Broward County because it expanded a really congested surf spot and allowed surfers to legally enter the water at the south end of Deerfield Beach. Factoid: If you set your feet on dry sand in Hillboro Beach you are trespassing and can be ticket or arrested.

The Beach rules are: Surfing, skimboarding and kiteboarding are only permitted on the north side of the International Pier and on the south side of towers #7. http://www.deerfield-beach.com/index.asp?NID=248

The Deerfield Beach Ordinance: http://library1.municode.com/default/DocView/12050/1/141/142?hilite=surfboard;surfboards; and http://library1.municode.com/default/DocView/12050/1/141/144?hilite=surfboard;surfboards;

The Cove Condo (Private Beach To The North) You may not enter the water from the dry beach with out specific permission of the property owner per city code. You could enter the water on the wet sand line. If you would surf into lifeguard controled water you will be whistled out. (Median High Water Line.)http://www.surfrider.org/stateofthebeach/05-sr/state_summary.asp?zone=SE&state=fl)

Florida Supreme Court Ruling:
The Florida Supreme Court established case law (Carter v. Town of Palm Beach, 237 So. 2d 130 - Fla. 1970),

The Florida Supreme Court struck down a municipal ordinance entirely prohibiting surfing and skimming because the ordinance was arbitrary and unreasonable. However, the court said that the city could permissibly regulate and restrict surfing and skimming under the police power, even to the point of prohibiting those activities at certain beach areas.