San Clemente May Become First City To Sanction Night Surfing

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Surfers of San Clemente may get to ride the waves under the moonlight in the future if the city council chooses to move forward with plans to approve night surfing by the San Clemente pier.

The motion was meant to be considered by council members at their Aug. 17 regular meeting, but the council chose to discuss the motion at a later meeting.

According to the city's staff report, if the council chooses to move forward with night surfing, they need to allocate $15,000 to purchase and maintain lights that The city would install from the northwest side of the pier to the east side. Since the installed lights would be permanent, the city would have to seek a coastal development permit through the California Coastal Commission before putting up the lights.

While the price tag of $15,000 is listed on the staff report, the costs of sanctioning night surfing will likely rise as city council members will have to sort out response systems and protocol in an emergency. Other safety issues need to be studied, such as the possibility of sharks coming close to the shore and endangering surfers.

If the city chooses to move forward with authorizing night surfing, they will be the first to formally authorize the after-hours activity, according to the staff report.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. The meeting is available to stream online, or community members can go to the community center auditorium at 100 N. Calle Seville.