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By Lookout Staff

October 31 -- Surf’s up, and that’s causing a problem as surfing schools proliferate on a popular beach synonymous with an endless summer.

To better balance he needs of surf schools and beach goers, City officials are seeking to limit surfing instruction on Santa Monica State Beach by requiring that surf classes of any size be authorized y the City.

“Surfing has long been an integral part of the Santa Monica lifestyle,” said a statement released by the City Wednesday. “The recent increase in surfing schools on Santa Monica State Beach has resulted in significant user-conflicts on the sand and in the water.

“In an effort to ensure public safety, provide equal access for all beach goers, and maintain high-quality surfing instruction opportunities, the City is considering limits to the number and location of surf schools operating on the beach, particularly during the busy summer months.”

Unlike the County of Los Angeles and California State Parks, which strictly limit all surfing school activities, Santa Monica’s liberal surf instruction policies does not regulate most surfing instruction.

Under the current municipal code, groups of less than 20 children or any number of adults can operate a surfing school without a permit or contract, although limited number of permits are available for larger groups on a first come, first served basis through the City’s Open Space Management Division.

The City also contracts with surf instructors to offer surfing lessons through the City’s Community Programs Division.

“The City is proposing to limit instruction to those groups issued a permit through the Open Space Division, or contracted through the Community Programs Division,” City officials said.

“During summer months or other peak-use periods, surf instruction may be limited solely to classes offered through the Community Programs contracts,” officials said. “At no time would instruction be permitted without authorization by the City, regardless of group size.”

A public meeting to solicit input on this proposal will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 12, 2007, at the Ken Edwards Center, 1527 4th Street, Santa Monica, California. The meeting facility is disabled-accessible.

Those interested in weighing in may also send written comments to Open Space Management, Surfing Instruction Comments, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, California, 90405, faxed to 310-396-9609, or emailed to CommServices@smgov.net.

For more information, please contact Callie Hurd, Open Space Manager, 310.458.8573 ext. 3.