Surf Cat

Regulations impact surfing, kite boarding, surf fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing at Hollywood Beach

The stand up paddle board discussion continued during a recent commission meeting.

After studying the results of the pilot program, on March 4, 2020, Beach Safety staff presented their final recommendations to the City Commission which were approved on first reading. The item will come before the City Commission again for a final vote in the coming weeks. A major area of discussion involved how far paddle boarders must be from the beach during peak swimming hours.  

The new regulations for paddle boards require that in the central beach area, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., paddle boarders are required to enter and exit in one of the recreation areas and remain 100 yards or 300 feet from shore.

Also, there is an expansion of the areas where paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes can launch and land from current launch zones and surfing areas to more than three miles of coastline. Paddle boarders can utilize the entire length of coastline before 10 am and after 5 pm. Paddle boarders can traverse the ocean in the central beach area during the hours of 10 am and 5 pm.

“We will now have over three miles of beach,” said ‎Catherine Uden who has spearheaded the issue. “Considering that paddlers started this process hearing that ocean rescue didn’t want to make any changes except for maybe a block or two, we’ve come a long way.”

Other activities are also covered. For surfing the new regulations including expanding the areas where surfing is allowed from the current two areas (800 yards) to 1.36 miles, adding a leash requirement and allowing for the ability to open up other areas to surfing when conditions allow.

Regulations for kite boarding specify where and when kite boarding is allowed. Kite boarding will still be allowed at the Meade Street launching area. Kite boarding will still be allowed Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Surf fishing will be allowed after 6 pm and before 9 am. Areas of the beach may be opened by Beach Safety for surf fishing if the conditions allow

On March 6, 2019, the Beach Safety Division presented to the City Commission a proposal for the expansion of the City of Hollywood Ordinance Chapter 99: Municipal Beach. The proposal included expanding the use for paddle boarders and launching a pilot program.