Surfline advocates for as many open beaches as possible to enable access for surfing and other forms of essential exercise, such as swimming, paddling, jogging and walking.

Specifically, we believe officials in all areas of the country should distinguish between essential exercise and casual beachgoing — sunbathing, picnicking, etc. Surfline supports “keep it moving” policies along with effective social distancing. In other words, no butts on the beach.

Surfline’s review of the geographies where this distinction has been made — Hawaii, Florida, the Carolinas, and Australia — highlights how beach access can be effectively managed without compromising efforts to keep the curve flattened and preserve healthcare-system capacity for those in need. It does require adherence to non-essential travel and social distancing requirements, but other countries, states and municipalities seem to have successfully managed that.

We believe:

1. Surfing is as much an essential exercise for surfers as jogging is for runners or biking is for cyclists. It is a serious sport with tangible physical and mental health benefits practiced by well over 10 million people around the world.

2. No policy should penalize those using the ocean or beach strictly for exercise, including surfers. It is indeed possible for ocean recreation to remain accessible without violating social-distancing guidelines. In this scenario, everyone keeps moving and the ocean and the beach remain safe zones.

3. The more coastline that is open for essential exercise, the better, and we advocate for as much as possible — less coastal access means more pressure on those areas that remain open. Keep the ocean open for all ocean enthusiasts.

4. Banning surfers, swimmers, paddlers, runners and walkers from the coast has a negative impact on the community. In two areas where ocean recreation is a key part of the culture – Hawaii and Australia – officials have successfully accounted for it in their definition of essential exercise. We think California, where surfing is the official state sport and a key driver of the culture and economy, should do the same.

For its part, the surfing community needs to recognize its role in the social contract we all share to respect and follow all non-essential travel and social-distancing requirements — and to adhere to the recommendations and guidelines to surf responsibly. If not, we stand to lose the access we so desperately need and covet.

Accordingly, Surfline respectfully requests officials across the country recognize that surfing and other forms of essential exercise require ocean and beach access, that they are distinct from casual beachgoing, and that they not be included in beach closures anywhere in the United States.