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Re:SCRAP THE VIC BAY CAM!!!
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Date: 2009/08/24 10:19
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By: Coolsurf
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Status: User
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Fresh Boarder
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I gladly share the following thoughts:
1. Forum Respect
It's unfortunate that OPINIONS are rather RIDICULED than properly debated.
Reallocal identified a problem and qualified it in a way that he believes was fair.
The response was a personal attack, rather than an objective assessment of his concerns.
This is further extended in the "let's identify him" post - this, while it's quite obvious that the person in the photo is definitely not a surfer (doesn't have the physique of a surfer).
As to religion: we can definitely not ridicule each other's beliefs. Doing this is both morally and constitutionally wrong.
Let's show some mutual respect please?
2. Impact of webcams
There are two key arguments (possibly more):
a) They increase the number of surfers at a specific surf spot.
b) They improve tourism.
Neither can be proven.
In fact, logic will dictate that LOCALS will rather use it as a tool, to confirm their assumption on correct swell, wind, tide, etc., rather than those from Cape Town (or far away) making an IMPULSIVE decision to jump in their cars and try the surf (frankly, very risky as conditions would likely have changed a lot by the time they get there).
The bottom-line? Billabong et al are creating many more surfers and this in turn will mean a lot more congestion over time - kinda like traffic congestion 
As to tourism: webcams are only a supportive tool, NOT an authoritative driver. There is a BIG difference between the two. In other words they add value insofar a tourist can see live what an area looks like, but they definitely don't act as a DECIDER as to tourists making a decision as to whether they should visit a place or not.
3. Position of Locals
From an earlier post: "God has made the sea for everyone". Very true, but one could argue that He has also placed LOCALS at specific spots to LOOK AFTER THEM - in the way that they do in J'Bay.
Cutting religion out of it...
Surf spots have locals. Period.
The ocean is no individual's property. Period.
This doesn't mean that locals have a greater RIGHT or CLAIM to a spot, rather that they are the ones that will be there the day you leave. If you litter, they will have to deal with your litter. If you upset the local residents, then they are the ones that are TAINTED by your actions. So I can continue.
This inevitably means that LOCALS have a greater INHERITED RESPONSIBILITY to the LOCAL SPOT than an outsider.
By logic this then implies that LOCALS should always be shown a certain level of respect/understanding (they discovered the surf spot first): When you visit a "new" spot, check if you're surfing with locals. If you are try not to take their waves ALL the time (POINT: show some courtesy). How would you feel if your local spot were swamped and everyone took your waves without asking?
Most of the time you will actually realise that LOCALS are more than happy to help an outsider when they realise that he isn't there to selfishly take as many waves as possible. Look, they might even explain to you how the wave works best...sections. etc. Thus, you can actually maximise your surfing experience despite taking less waves.
The rule of thumb: always ask yourself how you would react to an outsider or a bunch of outsiders "claiming" your local spot and taking "your waves" without even introducing themselves.
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