Why a Surfing Reserve?

As Surfing Reserves are 'iconic' places of recreational, environmental, historic, sporting and cultural value to the region, the recognition and establishment of the Encounter Coast Surfing Reserve,  located at the very heart of the Encounter Marine Park, will aim to not only protect our surf breaks, reef areas, cliff faces, sand dunes, etc but also encourage a creative, safe and healthy lifestyle and contribute to positive economic benefits for local businesses and clubs – creating a sustainable Encounter Coast.

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At least 22 well-known surf spots lie along the Encounter Coast from west to east including: Parsons Point, Parsons Beach, Waitpinga, Kings Head, Petrel Cove, The Pines, Shark Alley, The Dump, Boomer, Bullies, Knights, Chicken Run, Frenchmans, Middleton Bay, Middleton Point, Middleton Beach, Day St, Cliffs and Goolwa Beach amongst others. Three Surf Lifesaving Clubs are active along the area, Chiton Rocks, Port Elliot and Goolwa.

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The aspiring Encounter Coast Surfing Reserve will aim to assist with managing and protecting the environmental, cultural, economic and social characteristics of the area from Parsons Beach in the west to Goolwa Beach in the east, approximately 40kms as the crow flies. The area lies within the neighbouring council jurisdictions of Victor Harbor and Alexandrina, has Newland Head Conservation Park at its western end and is currently known as both Ngarrindjeri and Ramindjeri country.

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Surfing cultural history is rich in our region as shown in footage of surfing at Petrel Cove near the Bluff in 1938. It is believed to have had its birth in SA in the summer of 1924/25. In the ‘60s and ‘70s surfing flourished and continues to up to the present and we rightly claim to be the mecca of surfers of all levels from Adelaide each weekend (or anytime when the conditions are good!)