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Encinitas staff outline proposed surf-instruction site boundary changes; surf schools urge protection for long-standing operators
Summary
City staff presented proposed updates to commercial surf-instruction sites and participant limits after discovering jurisdictional map errors and to align the municipal code; local surf schools urged the commission to protect established operators and to consider historical performance in permit awards.
City staff briefed the Parks and Recreation Commission Aug. 19 on updates to the commercial surf-permit program and proposed changes to designated surf-site boundaries and participant limits after staff discovered certain permitted areas fell outside the city's jurisdiction.
"Given these jurisdictional boundaries, staff are recommending updates to both the designated surf camp and lesson sites, as well as adjustments to the maximum number of participants at each location," a staff presentation said, noting that some historic permit areas north of the Grandview Staircase and at Swami’s sit on state-owned lands.
Why it matters: staff told the commission that past permit maps included areas outside city authority and that the municipal code (Municipal Code 6.13) requires updating. The changes affect which beach areas the city can authorize for commercial instruction and how many participants are allowed, factors surf schools say are central to their operations.
Public comments and operator concerns: multiple local surf-school operators and users addressed the commission, asking that long-standing businesses receive consideration in any revised award process. Matthew Allen, owner of Maui Surf Academy — which operates at Swami’s — said the current re-bidding model is disruptive to small, family-run operations and urged protections similar to other jurisdictions: "Most of us... we've sweat and bled to create businesses that were barely even a viable option in the past. I think we should be afforded the same rights and protections as every business owner in our city," Allen said.
Several permit holders and instructors raised operational concerns: limited morning windows for safe instruction mean small maximum group sizes (6 per session at some sites under the proposed approach) can make lessons commercially infeasible. Progressive Surf Academy and other instructors said a 6-person cap would be too constraining and asked the city to consider 12 or a split-session approach within a single permit window.
Staff noted next steps: staff will collect public input, incorporate feedback and return to city council in the fall with recommended code revisions. The presentation also summarized 14 public email comments received by 4:30 p.m. on the meeting day; concerns included parking, noise, overcrowded lineups, use of prime locations, lack of restrooms, safety near bluffs, and letters supporting particular schools.
What was not decided: the commission did not adopt a final revised boundary map or participant caps. Staff said the discussion and public input will inform a council report and municipal code amendments later in 2025.
Ending: commissioners requested more detail and asked staff to provide RFQ materials, scoring criteria and a timeline; an ad hoc committee of commissioners will review the RFQ and proposer materials before the next commission meeting.
