IT WOULD ALL BE HILARIOUS IF IT WEREN’T FOR THE PLAGUE The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 35 #33 • Wednesday, January 27, 2021 • www.echo.net.au
Conversation needed about abusive surf culture surfers, the issue has a deeper cause – an unhealthy surf culture in which aggression and abuse are deemed acceptable behaviours by men. ‘Somehow, we’ve arrived at this point in coastal culture where it’s totally justifiable and okay for men to abuse other men,’ Mr Mallinson says. ‘We seem to be stuck in this loop that comes from these old legacies of behaviour.’ ‘I’m not trying to control anyone’s behaviour – that never works. I just think we need to have a conversation about it and it has to come from within the surf community itself.’ While the close proximity of skilled surfers and beginners at The Pass makes it particularly susceptible to surf rage fuelled by this unhealthy culture, it is not the only location where this occurs. One particular surfer at Wategoes is infamous within the local surf community for his aggressive and violent behaviour towards both men and women. ‘I was paddling out over the white wash as he was riding in on the wave,’ said one surfer who asked to remain anonymous. ‘He targeted me by coming as close as he could with a cut back‌ even though he had no need to. ‘[Then] I get my foot squished [by his board]. You can’t say anything to him. He’ll fight you – man, woman, paddle boarder, dog, whoever.’
Paul Bibby Ben Mallinson was paddling for a routine right-breaking wave at The Pass when the dark-haired surfer suddenly cut across in front of him from the outside. Mr Mallinson, an experienced local surfer, had just enough time to pull his hand out of the way before the other surfer cannoned into his board. ‘I said “Wtf, dude!?�’ he recalls of the incident. ‘The guy turned around and just gets super aggressive. He’s saying “You wanna go, bro? You wanna go?�. ‘Then he slams his board up and under mine, leaving this big ding.’ When Mr Mallinson posted about the incident on a local Facebook page some hours later, the abuse continued. Alongside expressions of sympathy and solidarity were a string of abusive posts declaring that he had ‘deserved’ the violent treatment he received. ‘They were more concerned with a technicality rather than questioning – is abuse okay?’ Mr Mallinson says. It was an ugly incident, but far from an isolated one.
Serious assaults The region’s most popular surf spots such as The Pass, Wategos and Tallows regularly feature acts of aggression, anger and abuse, including a number of serious assaults. Some say the surf rage is a result of overcrowding and an influx of inexperienced surfers with little or no knowledge of surf etiquette. But for Mr Mallinson, and a significant number of other local
!Ć–Ĺ?Ć?Ɩſĕ Ĺ&#x;ÄŞ ƆĜĹ?Ä•Ĺ•ÄˆÄ•Čž This incident, like most examples of violence and aggression in the surf, was greeted with â–ś Continued on page 2
Are Council’s planning policies failing the community? ▜ p4
‘I’m here for the food!’
Japan Festival Byron Bay, a very popular cultural celebration of Japanese food, music, dance and craft, was held last Sunday afternoon at Byron’s YAC. Bon-Odori, as this year's festival was called, had Makito, Hina and Ikuko getting seriously stuck into icy treats. Photo Jeff ‘Treated Like Ice Cream Since 1986’ Dawson
Byron Shire award winners Natural Death Care Centre founder and V-Day event co-organiser, Zenith Virago, is the 2021 Byron Shire Citizen of the Year. A ceremony to celebrate her work, along with others recognised for their community service, was held at the Cavanbah Centre on Monday night. Mayor Simon Richardson said, ‘Zenith is a pioneer and leader in her approach to dying; to helping people prepare for death and guiding them, and their families, through the end of life process which is frightening, uncertain and sad’. Other locals recognised for their community work include longtime State Emergency Service (SES) member Peter Mair, who is Volunteer of the Year. Peter, who
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Zenith Virago. Photo Jeff Dawson retired from the police force in 2017, is the SES Tweed-Byron Zone Local Commander. Arakwal woman, Nickolla Clarke, is the Byron Shire’s Creative Artist of the Year. Cr Richardson said, ‘She was the lead artist on the Byron Bay Railway Park art project and was key contributor to the
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Members UNLIMITED SOFT DRINK Special WITH ANY
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Mullumbimby Gateway project’. Byron Shire’s Young Citizen of the Year is Mia Thom, who was recognised for her leadership on human rights issues and climate change, within her school and community. Former Mullum High school teacher, Pamela Wark, is Senior Citizen of the Year. Pamela worked at Mullum High for more than 45 years, and is highly regarded as an inspirational, dedicated and caring educator. The founder of the Surfrider Foundation in Australia, Brad Farmer OAM, is the 2021 Byron Shire Australia Day Ambassador. While Byron Bay’s Survival Day and other events were postponed, a barbecue was held at the Ocean Shores Baptist Hub Church.
MONDAY – FRIDAY. 12NOON – 2PM.
LUNCHTIME BURGER PURCHASED.
Jonson Street, Byron Bay • 02 6685 6878 • www.byronbayservicesclub.com.au