Photo: South China Morning Post // YouTube
Authorities are considering prosecuting two surfers who were caught violating a surfing ban at a Hong Kong beach. The announcement comes during a recent, unexplained uptick in enforcement of the the region’s anti-surfing policies.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) found two people illegally surfing at Big Wave bay on October 25, according to the South China Morning Post. At the time, a red flag warning had been placed on the beach, meaning the water was unsafe for swimming, due to the approach of Typhoon Trami towards Hong Kong.
“An investigation by the LCSD is under way into such a case and prosecution is under consideration,” Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said in a written statement. According to Tang, the department has only made one other prosecution against illegal watersports activities during red-flagged periods in the past three years.
Hong Kong has had a longstanding ban on surfing at it’s swimming beaches, with the penalty of up to $260 USD and 14 days in jail. However, according to South China Morning Post, those bans have rarely been enforced at the region’s few surf breaks, such as Big Wave Beach. In recent months, though, surfers have reported increased enforcement from authorities, with little explanation as to why.
