Skim Boards Ok'd at Jennings Beach Next Summer

Town recreation officials have relaxed the rules a little bit at Jennings Beach next summer so kids can have some fun.

But the decision to allow skim boards in a designated area at the beach is short of what Fairfield kids had requested during a public hearing in the Jacky Durrell Pavilion last July.

Back then, Luke Sohigian, Gus Bochanis and John McMillan, all of whom are students in Mill Hill School in Fairfield's Southport neighborhood, had also asked the commission to consider allowing kids to toss a ball or Nerf football in the water and bring boogie boards and inflatables, such as a raft or ring, into the water. The three boys, who were supported that night by more than a dozen other kids, said they wanted to have fun at the beach and asked the Parks and Recreation Commission to establish a "fun zone" at one of the town's beaches.

The commission decided in late January to allow skim boards at a designated area of Jennings Beach, but ball tossing, boogie boards and inflatables are still prohibited.

Gus, 10, said Monday that he thought allowing boogie boards, instead of skim boards, was a better idea because boogie boards, which are made of foam, are softer than skim boards, which are usually made of wood. Gus said he doesn't use skim boards so wasn't really happy about the decision and that he would most want to toss a ball in the water.

Rec officials on Monday said skim boards aren't used in the water but are used on wet sand. Kids toss a skim board in front of them and then jump on it as it slides across the sand, creating an experience similar to that of a surfer, but out of the water.

John McMillan, 10, said he'd hoped kids would be able to have boogie boards at the beach next summer but was happy skim boards were now allowed. "It's better than nothing," he said.

Lori McMillan, John's mom, said she thought the kids had a great experience in bringing their request before the Parks and Recreation Commission at a public hearing and that the commission's decision to allow skim boards was progress. "I think it's progress, and they'll be happy skim boarding," she said.

Luke said he was pleased the commission listened to the kids and made changes to rules at the beach. "Although it's not what we hoped for, it's a start," he said.

State Rep. Kim Fawcett, D-Fairfield, who had encouraged Gus, John and Luke to bring their request before Fairfield's town government, said she was disappointed the kids didn't get everything they wanted but was "really proud of them for speaking out."

"They did change the policy. It's a testament that kids can follow the process and ask for a change," Fawcett said, adding that all Fairfield kids at Jennings Beach next summer will be allowed to use skim boards because of Gus, John and Luke.

"We made one step forward and progress in making the Fairfield beaches a little more fun," Fawcett said.

The commission ruled that the use of skim boards in a designated area at Jennings Beach was on a conditional basis and that the skim boarding area can be closed at any time by representatives of the town Parks and Recreation Department and waterfront staff for reasons of safety or crowd control. The rule adds that skim boarding "should be considered at the participants' own risk" and that kids who are reckless with skim boards can be excluded from the area.

Steve Berecz, the town's waterfront director, didn't think allowing ball tossing in the water was a good idea, saying at the July 21 public hearing that kids chase after balls thrown over their heads and can get in water too deep for them to handle. Berecz at the hearing said inflatables all come with warnings that say adult supervision is necessary. Jack Carter, director of aquatic programs for the American Red Cross, said at the hearing that kids can use inflatables as a crutch, and, if they lose them, they're in deep water without any support.

John said he was surprised the commission agreed to skim boards, saying Gerald Lombardo, director of the town's Parks and Recreation Department, "was really sticking to his plan" at the July 21 hearing.