Windsurfers slam plan to 'ban' water sports

They also criticised the move by Rother District Council, claiming newly-erected signs limiting their favourite pastime had cost the ratepayer tens of thousands of pounds.

The council wants to create zones where windsurfing will be barred.

These are Bexhill's Colonnade, Beaulieu Green, Cooden Beach and Norman's Bay.

Guy Farrant, who has been windsurfing since he was eight, said: "There's one of these signs right next to Bexhill Sailing Club.

"Most of us carry third party insurance and it has now become invalid since these signs were put up by Rother.

"It's not Rother's policy to ban water sports along the beach and we know for a fact that these signs were ordered more than a year ago. They are very expensive and have cost the Rother taxpayer 60,000.

"Is it really necessary to have a list of dos and don'ts on a very expensive sign?"

Mr Farrant said he had met with the council's chief executive Derek Stevens voicing his concerns, which had made things move forward.

He said: "The council seems to have seen the light and blanked out the bits on the signs about banning watersurfing.

"But a lot of people are still worried about the council changing the bylaws prohibiting water sports.

"Emails have been flying around between the council and windsurfing enthusiasts. I heard the chief executive had no idea that these signs were going up and did not authorise them."

Mr Farrant, who won a few national titles in the 1980s in windsurfing competitions, said up to 100 water sports enthusiasts use Bexhill seafront.

He said: "There are up to 25 people on the beach on a good day and a lot of them really live for the sport.

"I kitesurf now and I would consider moving away if the beach is taken asway from us."

Mr Farrant said he was told there was a designated area of beach for windsurfing in Camber but added a lot of young people would find it difficult to get over there.

He said: "Basically Rother is taking away a sport for the next generation. This country has such a successful history of water sports and we are all worried this move by the council will set a precedent."

Madeleine Gorman, Rother District Council's head of amenities, said: "We have not banned windsurfing on our beaches, but are designating areas for certain activities. For the most part, there are no restrictions on where windsurfing and kite surfing can take place.

"The only places where we would prefer not to see windsurfing and kite surfing are the seaside Award Areas. In reality, these are limited areas which the surfing community does not really use at the moment and there will still be plenty of space for a variety of interest groups to use the beach.

"We ask that participants avoid surfing in the award areas, which are clearly marked on the large maps provided in front of the relevant sections of beach."

She said Rother had been in touch with windsurfers to discuss the situation.

She added: "Some confusion has been caused by signs without maps that did not make it clear which areas would be affected. These signs have been covered up or removed and we apologise for any problems this caused.

"Should any other wind or kite surfers wish to speak to an officer for further clarification, this can be arranged."