Selective enforcement of surf ordinance: Surfers making waves

Surfers in the Navarre community have been discussing ways to modify the current Santa Rosa County ordinance banning surfing in designated swim areas from March 1- Oct. 31.

However, surfing has been allowed in the swim areas, in violation of the current ordinance.

On Aug. 10, a group of surfers were on Navarre Beach, surfing in the designated swim area before the lifeguards came on duty. When the lifeguards requested that the surfers come out of the water, a negotiation began.

Terry Wallace, utility supervisor for the county, confirmed that he allowed surfers to use the designated swim area.

“I talked with Rooster (Ken Roose of Pensacola), and they said the lifeguards had run them out of the swimming area,” Wallace said.

Because there were not any swimmers at the time, Wallace said he allowed the surfers to continue using the swim area.

“I said today while the surf is up and there is no one swimming, let the guys surf. When the swimmers come you have to move off.  No one was swimming. It was a yellow flag, and it was just for the day.”

For more on this story, see the August 18 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.