Surfing is a solitary sport and has an unspoken law that everyone is more than 6 feet apart in the water and there's always one person per wave, for safety reasons. Given that information, surfers have always been less likely to catch Coronavirus while surfing, therefore, the outrageous fines and bans to surfers are unfair. Surfing is not only a naturally distanced sport, but it's beneficial. Surfer and author, Zoltan Istvan, shares that, "exercise is important, especially during stressful times. But many surfers, including myself, also use surfing as a form of healing and therapy", surfing is known to decrease anxiety and supplies serotonin. Not only does surfing improve mental health, but the magnesium in the salt water enhances bone and muscle strength and strengthens the immune and respiratory system, which is extremely important during this time.
Despite the benefits surfing possess, many still believe that surfers may still be silent spreaders of COVID-19. Ways to flatten the curve are essential and by going outside to surf, there are potential risks of contracting COVID-19 from those who do not social distance. With that being said, as beaches have reopened fully and the lack of social distancing puts California in a second wave of the virus, we may experience another "beach ban" and "surf ban". Zoltan clarifies, "I prefer how Hawaii has handled the situation. While relaxing on the beach is forbidden, surfers can go in the water so long as they stay six feet from one another", implementing this may potentially stop a third wave of the pandemic.
Now, as an avid surfer, the only sense of peace during this difficult time of self isolation and quarantining, is in the ocean's therapeutic waters. However, beach goers who disregard social distancing on the sand, ruin it for the rest of us. Why should surfers be banned for obeying social distancing rules, while tanners meet up with their friends in close proximity? Should laying on the beach be banned, but surfers and swimmers be allowed to exercise? Or should the beach be closed fully?
To answer your question, "Should laying on the beach be banned, but surfers and swimmers be allowed to exercise", I believe that laying at the beach should be banned as it can be easier to spread disease especially because it is easier to disobey social distancing rules. On the other hand exercising on the beach should not be banned as long as it doesn't involve multiple people. Surfing, running, swimming, and bicycling are a few examples I can think of that you can do that follow social distancing rules.
ReplyDeleteI believe surfing should be allowed during this time because like you said, "everyone is more than 6 feet apart in the water" and people are supposed to be six feet apart at this time. People who surf use surfing as an escape from difficult times, just like any other athlete would for their sport. It is not fair that people who just want to meet up and relax on the beach have to ruin it for surfers. To answer your second question, laying on the beach should be banned because most of the people there are with groups of people and are not wearing masks. They are the ones not following social distancing rules, not surfers.
ReplyDeleteSince a young age I have always enjoyed swimming, and especially enjoyed swimming in the ocean whenever I get the chance. I agree with my fellow classmates that the beaches should be partially open for relaxing, destressing exercise, but not for tanning and socializing. Also, because of the closing of gyms and parks the public have been forced to find other means of exercise, like going for a run or a walk around the block, which results in the same amount of exposure or possibly more, compared to going for a swim or surfing at a local beach. Additionally, you are more likely to be in close contact with some while walking past them on the sidewalk than surfing or going for a swim, which are both already a no-contact sport as you mention. Surfers, and water athletes should be allowed to enjoy the sun, as they follow the safety regulations to keep everyone safe. However people congregating and socializing on the sand should be banned. They are not benefiting the public, or lessening the spread, only ruining it for everyone.
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ReplyDeleteI believe that since surfers are already required to stay at least six feet apart, it should be okay for them to surf. There are many benefits with surfing, especially at this time, like relaxing or keeping your mind off of everything going on. Although I believe Surfers should be allowed while those who relax on the sand should not, it may lead to a problem. For example, those who go to the beach to relax or pass time, laying down or in a big crowd, will feel as if it is not fair. They may find it unfair how certain people are allowed while others are not. For this reason it may not be the best choice because of the problems that can arise. Also, staying 6 feet apart is only a method used to help prevent the spread of the virus, not guaranteeing anything. Therefore, although I would like Surfers to be able to go, it may be better to just close it down for all. This will help prevent problems and it will be even less likely to spread the virus. Additionally, these are tough times and I believe we should do what is best to not put anyone at risk, even if the risks are low.
ReplyDeleteThe beaches need to be closed for everyone. Neither surfers nor those who want to spend time on the sand should be allowed to go to the beach. Hawaii has different restrictions, but California is not Hawaii. Your information explains that surfers are six feet apart in the water sounds promising. This becomes dangerous, however, when surfers enter and exit the water. Moreover, some citizens of the United States will not be elated that a certain group is allowed to do something while they are not. Those citizens will then go to beaches and do whatever they please. The danger of this situation lies in the unwillingness of Americans to do something uncomfortable to prevent something lethal. Surfing and other activities are wonderful and are an excellent way to release stress. Yet, at this moment in time, we cannot allow citizens to continue doing things that jeopardize the lives of others. The current state of this country is the direct result of misinformation, inadequate leadership, and defiance of guidelines. Had we acted sensibly, the United States would not have the most COVID-19 cases in the world. We have to restrict areas where citizens can go for the safety of everyone.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, “Should laying on the beach be banned, but surfers and swimmers be allowed to exercise? “ I believe that lying on the beach should be banned, but surfers and swimmers should be allowed to exercise. Lily, you said that surfing has an unspoken law that everyone in the water should be at least 6 feet apart, and that only one person per wave because of safety reasons. Surfing follows the guidelines for social distancing, therefore surfing should be allowed because it allows people to heal and relax. Laying on the beach on the other hand, should be banned. My family and I went to the beach to go watch the sunset from our car, and just by looking out the window, people were not following any of the social distancing guidelines. People were not wearing masks, people were definitely not 6 feet apart, I saw big groups together, people were with their friends laughing and having fun without their masks on and without being 6 feet apart, when that is against the social distancing guidelines. I believe that lying on the beach should be banned if people are not going to listen to the rules. However, surfers and swimmers should be allowed to exercise because they follow the social distancing guidelines, and it decreases anxiety and supplies serotonin.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question "should the beach be closed fully?",surfing and other activities on the beach should not be banned, but tanning should. Everyone needs a place to get away and let out your feelings in order to keep their sanity, and the beach is that place for me (volleyball, surfing, and biking relieve my stress) and many other people, and since the social distance is maintained, the beach should not close down these activities. In response to Chiagozie's comment, this should not be a problem because when surfers enter and exit the ocean, they can walk around the people doing other activities on the beach. Also, even though United States citizens would do whatever they want at the beach, it does not change anything since citizens will do whatever they want either way as long as they are with friends. For example, on July 4th, almost everyone went to or hosted parties and launched fireworks (many illegal fireworks) and completely disregarded quarantine rules. We cannot stop citizens from breaking the rules, but in exercise activities, the 6 foot distance is mostly maintained, so it should be allowed. (And even if people meet up with friends at the beach and do not follow the 6 foot regulation, these friends were most likely already in close proximity with each other days or even weeks before going to the beach)
ReplyDeleteAs a surfer myself, I believe that surfing and swimming in the ocean should not be banned due to
ReplyDeleteCOVID-19 as long as the surfers and swimmers follow the social distancing guidelines. Being in the
ocean brings lots of relaxation and peace for most people and I think it is important to be able to go
spend time in a place that brings such tranquility, especially during tough times like these.
To answer your question, I believe that surfing and swimming should not be banned due to Covid-19 restrictions however tanning on the beach should. To start with, as you said in your debate, surfing and swimming is therapeutic. Forcing these people not to do what they say helps them with mental or emotional feelings is equivalent to telling someone that they don’t need help and they’re okay. People need their therapy sessions even if it’s not with a person. Even without Covid-19 restrictions, surfers and swimmers have always needed to maintain their distance between each other due to safety reasons. So if surfers and swimmers are already following the new guidelines, why can’t they continue to surf? The only problem with beaches now that they’ve reopened is that so many people go there to tan when they could do that at the comfort of their own backyard or front yard. People who go to sit on the beach should not be allowed since they’re the only people who aren’t following Covid-19 guidelines.
ReplyDeleteSince the Covid-19 pandemic has posed many beaches at risk for closing down, It's been addressed that "social distancing" is crucial to flattening the curve of future infections. The pros of surfing certainly outweigh the cons, as you stated, it's a naturally solitary sport. If the activity itself allows someone to be respectful of someone's distance (like surfing) then I believe surfing shouldn't. That's an idea I encourage, going outside, being active to maintain good health is something that shouldn't taken away from people. Since surfing proves itself capable of strengthening one's bone and muscle strength and improves their respiratory system it should be allowed as opposed to those who stay on the beach tanning who are more likely to increase the risks of person to person contact. Overall, surfers who are making themselves more resistant to the virus should be permitted on the beaches as long as they abide by the health regulations ordered by the state while those loitering around the beach (tanning etc.) should head home.
ReplyDeleteWith the virus continuing to spread, in my personal opinion, I do not think the beaches should be open at all regardless of those following CDC guidelines. Cases continue to spread, whether they are following the restrictions on the beaches. Although, it is true that people that ruin the beaches for those who are abiding by the rules, I do not think that the risk should be made. I know and understand my views are very different from what everyone else is arguing, however, I don't understand why risk more people dying just to surf or tan.
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