So folks we had a meeting last week and here are the most current developments…
We had a good turnout so thank you to those who were able to attend(thanks to Navarre Beach county representatives also!). Basically what came out of the meeting was a directive to bring specific revisions to the swim area only(not to include the 30ft from the pier rule, which will more than likely never be changed per county) and submit it to the staff that was present to be sent “up the chain”. This meeting was a directional discussion and we were lucky enough to have some County reps there IN AN UNOFFICIAL CAPACITY AND ONLY AS ADVISERS.

Ideas were as follows:

Goals: max safety of swimming for all. max surfing in designated area, max fishing from pier.

Flag revision: red=surf anywhere, yellow= lifeguard discretion/leash requirement/distance from swimmers/distance from shore, green= no surfing in designated swim zone

Discussed with county staff on the dates when rule is enforced (not much on that due to county tourism dates) discussed times not likely to be revised(within the swimming areas only) Focusing on trying to get a head lifeguard discretion ideal out there(being that is how it’s been for years)

Remember the only issues navarresurf & Kanzigg had were within the swim area only and bring to the attention to the County officials of the advantage of local surfers as “unfunded lifeguards”.  The point being you never know who is in the lineup on any given day. I personally know of several Firefighter Medics, Military Medics, Doctors and other waterman usually in our local lineup any given swell.

What we were unaware of was the work already being done by some other surfers in our area. Jenn Goode(and others) had already been meeting with one of the commissioners and had drafted a revision to be submitted. Most of her revision submission had much to do in the name of beach safety and  more of a broad approach HOWEVER it also encompassed all of the issues that we discussed within the meeting.  After the meeting she had made some more revisions to her ordinance submission and then met directly with the Commissioner. She had a great discussion and apparent support from him on the revision. It has been subsequently been given to county legal staff for review.

I don’t have the entire revision however Jenn called me the other day and assured me that ALL of our interest are represented within her submission…To further clarify her position is a couple of excerpts from her email to me recently.

“The first one I did was only 1 page, then on April 14th I submitted a 4 page revision/proposal, and after the meeting the other night and the info I received from C.J….I made sure to do further research and I was up till 4:30 this morning typing a new proposal that is 7 pages in length and was submitted to Commissioner Melvin at 9:30 this morning to review. He is handing it off to his staff and the State Attorney, Ms. Angie Jones, to review and we will hear back from her with in 30-60 days. And then hopefully negotiations can begin and things can move forward. “HOWEVER;…..we did get 100% clarification on a few important specifics, 1. We DO HAVE availability, and access during RED FLAG. according to Commissioner Melvin, we are allowed that availability RIGHT NOW! ……2. We do have access to main beach areas, just NOT the designated swim areas. ….3. We are supposed to be 300 ft “enveloped” from the pier, (both sides) however; the fishermen seem to be giving US a courtesy on the west side. So for now, we need to be courteous back, and not be mouthy to the fisherman. We have to make sure we keep our cool to gain forward momentum. And…when we first walked into his office he made it VERY clear, that he and the other commissioners are not going to justify anything for one specific group. IT DOES HAVE TO BE FOR THE GREATER GOOD. And as soon as he realized that the proposal we were submitting had EVERYONE’s greater good as a priority, he then was extremely relaxed and willing to listen us.”

“…not to mention when you see the proposal you will understand that if there is a section they won’t agree with…I gave them “options” and “adjustments” to certain ideas, in hopes that we can gain some of our goals. It’s all in the “verbage.” So, once again, thank you for being on board an understanding that this is not a “formal” or final agenda, it is just a proposal to give them ideas, and if we do the leg work to save the county money for the revision, we are more apt to get more of our requests met.”

So with that being said it is a good idea to support the current submission (since it addresses our interest anyhow) than to confront the county on two different fronts…We must as surfers and residents stand together on this issue and put personal agendas, feeling, opinions aside and get the job done, no matter who is pushing the issue…at the end of the day ALL WE WANT TO DO IS SURF WITHIN THE SWIM AREA!…Thanks Jenn for all the hard work! Thanks Chief Kanzigg for bringing this issue to the front and center! We will hopefully see a change for next summers season. I will update as I get info-DJ