Months After Accident Causing Surfer’s Horrifying State, Community Set To Introduce Strict Measures

One of the most crucial aspects of surfing is the leg rope. It is a great precaution to prevent surfboards from hitting other surfers or swimmers in the sea. However, in February, a hipster surfer in Byron Bay decided to ditch leg ropes, injuring pro surfer, Mat Cassidy. Following the unfortunate incident, the town’s community has decided to introduce strict measurer for its surfers.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported about the tragic injury of the 49-year-old retired professional surfer. Moreover, it also revealed the thoughts of the Byron Shire Council, the community planning to implement new rules.

How did the accident happen with Mat Cassidy?

Surfer Mat Cassidy was enjoying a relaxed surfing session with his friends at Wategos Beach at Byron Bay when he met a heart-pounding injury. He explained in the report that while surfing; he got hit by the fin of a loose longboard that belonged to another surfer in the sea. The fin pierced into his arm, ripping the arteries and veins. Cassidy could see his bicep cut into two pieces, bleeding profusely. Somehow, when he managed to reach the shore, he asked a beachgoer to tie a leg rope as a tourniquet to lessen the bleeding.

Later on, the surfer whose longboard caused the injury revealed that her leg rope got snapped. However, according to an ABC News report, the surfer’s statement is yet to be confirmed.

Moreover, following the incident, the Byron Shire Council is considering making it illegal to surf without a leg rope. Local councilor Cate Coorey revealed that the community is planning to introduce an $1100 fine for breaching the leg rope rules. Nevertheless, they will also organize an education campaign on surfing safety.

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Post the accident, Mat Cassidy and others also explained their views on surfing without leg ropes.

Mat Cassidy shows solidarity for the new potential surfing norms in Byron Bay

The pro surfer told The Sydney Morning Herald that he fears the growing tendency of surfers to surf without a leg rope. He believes that they mostly want to cool while surfing, hence they ditch the basic safety norms. Hence, the surfer supports the new measures introduced by the Byron Shire Council. Cassidy added, “There is no surfer I know who can go a whole surf without losing their board. It’s just a selfish act [to not wear a leg rope] in a place that’s that crowded.”

Councilor Coorey told, “The knowledge that you could get fined does make people think twice.” She believes that there is a need for more signboards to remind people about the dangers of surfing without leg ropes.

Lastly, Ron Hughes, Longboard-rider and former Byron resident, also explained that early surfers would surf without leg ropes because there would hardly be two to three surfers in the sea. However, surfing without a leg rope in today’s times is pretty difficult. They need to be really good at it.

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Indeed, people very much crowd the beaches. Hence, to prevent any sort of mishaps while surfing, surfers must abide by the safety norms.