New rules will rein in surf camps, generate funds for city

ENCINITAS – There will likely be fewer novice surfers crowding the beaches of Encinitas next summer under new rules for surf camps that the City Council enacted this week. Many formerly out-of-town surf camps have moved to Encinitas to avoid the rules governing their operations in San Diego, Del Mar and Coronado, as well as at Carlsbad and San Elijo state beaches. Solana Beach, Encinitas' southern neighbor, doesn't allow any surf camps. This summer, more than a dozen surf camps descended on Encinitas' beaches with their tents, megaphones and hordes of children, prompting complaints from residents, including other surfers. Hoping to ensure that residents can use the beaches they pay to maintain, Parks and Recreation Director Chris Hazeltine offered a broad proposal to regulate surf camps and all other businesses that use city... [read full story]