Encinitas Parks & Rec recommends extending 2025 commercial surf permits, asks code clarification

The Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission voted to recommend that commercial surf permit holders who operated in summer 2025 be allowed to continue operating in summer 2026, and asked staff to clarify municipal code language and RFQ processes before future permit cycles.

Vice Chair Kimberly Evers opened the item by saying staff had continued the discussion from the August meeting and had met with an ad hoc committee and permit holders to gather feedback. Staff reported the city had reached out to California State Parks to confirm the southern jurisdictional boundary at Swami's Beach and that staff was waiting for final clarification from the state before finalizing a surf-site map for council review.

The ad hoc committee presented its findings: permits are required only during the summer season; the city collects $5 per camper per day; marine safety (in coordination with Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts staff) designates which beach locations may be used for surf camps; participant caps at some sites were reduced for 2025 when site lines were redefined, which operators said affected business viability; and some operators asked for greater permit-term certainty so they could invest in equipment and staff. The committee recommended allowing the nine groups that operated in 2025 to continue in 2026, enabling weekend lessons, amending municipal code to reflect current practice, clarifying site caps with marine safety and parks staff, improving RFQ rubrics and review transparency, and strengthening enforcement procedures against unpermitted operators.

Several surf school owners and instructors spoke during public comment. Lakeadia Surf School owner Jerry Cantor said lessons should avoid main peaks when surfers are present and emphasized safety and respect in the lineup. Matthew Allen of Maui Surf Academy and other long‑running instructors asked for longer permit terms (three years was discussed) or at least a clear priority for renewal when an operator is in good standing. Residents and surfers raised concerns about overcrowding at popular breaks, parking impacts on adjacent neighborhoods, and wear on stairs and other access infrastructure.

Commissioners and staff discussed class-size caps tied to beach footprint and safety. Staff said some sites were reduced to caps as small as 12 participants because of limited beach area; other locations allow more. Staff also said the municipal code predates changes in where lessons are taught and should be updated so permit language and actual practice match. Staff reported the RFQ is an up-to-two-year agreement and that reviewers include representatives from marine safety, risk management and parks staff.

After discussion, the commission moved to approve the ad hoc’s recommendation with editorial clarifications requested by staff (noting that the municipal code — not the permit itself — lacks explicit weekend‑lesson language and that site designations result from collaboration between marine safety and parks staff). The motion passed; the clerk recorded that the motion passed with Chair Ritter absent.

Next steps: staff said the commission’s recommendation, with requested edits, will be included in the report to City Council (targeting an October council agenda), and staff will continue discussions with California State Parks about the Swami’s boundary. Commissioners also asked that future RFQs include clearer minimums and scoring rubrics, and suggested adding a short written description from permit applicants about how they mitigate parking, safety and neighborhood impacts.