Police warn surf stars
Top three get jet ski notices
POLICE say champion surfers Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Dean Morrison were among a group of 20 tow-in surfers given a slap on the wrist on the sidelines of the Quiksilver Pro.
Gold Coast water police and Maritime Safety Queensland officers were out in force last Thursday as big swells from ex-Tropical Cyclone Linda brought jet ski tow surfers out in droves near the World Surf League event.
Last month the Bulletin reported tensions as surfers blew up about jet skis reported to have raced through hundreds of paddle surfers during ex-Tropical Cyclone Gita, but the matter was not reported to the correct authorities.
Acting Senior Sergeant Mitch Gray, of Gold Coast Water Police, said officers acted last week, mounting high visibility patrols.
He said 20 jet ski operators were warned, eight received infringement notices including craft used by champion local surfers Fanning, Parkinson and Morrison, and all but four vessels were told to leave the water.
Sen-Sgt Gray said police saw two jet skis operating off Snapper Rocks, but because of the swell he could not tell whether they were within 200m of surfers. He said the three high-profile surfers were given a warning, like 12 other surfers on the day.
“(Fanning, Parkinson and Morrison) were really good about it. They said they were sorry and didn’t want to upset anyone.
“Did I see anyone committing an offence? No I didn’t.
“Because there’s so much swell (offshore) you can see jet skis but you just can’t see enough – I don’t have enough to stand up in front of a magistrate and say what I witnessed if (the jet ski operators) pleaded not guilty.”
Sen-Sgt Gray said anyone with admissible evidence was welcome to come forward.
“I know there’s footage online and all that sort of stuff. If people who took that want to come forward and provide a written statement, I’ll investigate it,” he said.
“But they have to be aware they may have to provide that evidence in a court if they (jet ski operators) contest it.”
He said surfers who complained online about jet ski users should report illegal actions if they were upset.