Fiji surf access busting open?

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Sparx

VIC

734 posts

Sparx

VIC, 734 posts

12 Jul 2010 8:22pm

Was wondering wether anyone else had heard anything about this. I am off to Fiji mid next month and I think Down winder is heading there shortly. Apparently the Fiji govt has rescinded all rights/exclusive access to any and all of Fijis surf resources. This includes Tavarua! Having had the gates firmly slammed in my face a number of times in the eighties (also managed to scam a few classics) this news comes as something of a revelation. Was resigned to the fact that I would score a few sessions at Wilkes at best and do a lot of flat water cruising (family holiday on Plantation Island) Will try and post some of the links to articles I have been reading, otherwise just Google Fiji surf access.

~~www.surfermag.com/features/onlineexclusives/new_decree_aims_to_liberalize_fijian_surf_breaks_tavarua_fiji/~~

~~www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=28969~~

~~http://www.surfinglife.com.au/news/asl-news/4662-fiji-surf-spot-rights-busting-open~~
Cheers
Sparx

AA

NSW

2167 posts

NSW, 2167 posts

12 Jul 2010 9:17pm

WOW, thats HUGE!

Opens up a can of worms though. A lot of peoples (including local fijian villagers) livelihoods are wrapped up in those islands and resorts. I cant imagine they will give them up that easily.

Sounds like a great concept to open them up to everyone, but it could also put huge pressure on the local environment and culture. It will be interesting to see how this one pans out.

aus301

QLD

2039 posts

aus301

QLD, 2039 posts

12 Jul 2010 9:26pm

I think it's a terrible concept.

Once the access is unrestricted any wanker with a boat can plow there way across reefs to get there and spoil this paradise. 10 or 15 large boats in the area at a time cannot be good for the environment over there.

This is not to mention the villages that will be affected by the loss of income from the removal of the lease system. Anyone who has been to a fijian island would have seen how these islands basically offer a means of survival for mainland villages. We got to spend some time in a fijian primary school that was paid for by a resort last time we were there and were invited to lunch with a family from the village. A fantastic experience.

CMC

QLD

3954 posts

CMC

QLD, 3954 posts

12 Jul 2010 9:53pm

yep and they reckon the surf was pumping on the 1st weekend that they were open, all day both days.

I'd reckon the rates to stay on Tav would be a bit less now eh.

Warddy

QLD

77 posts

Warddy

QLD, 77 posts

12 Jul 2010 9:59pm

The Resort I believe will still operate as normal. I would imagine the seppos would bail as they couldnt charge the exorbatent prices they normally do. How much of that money was going to needy Fijians would be interesting to know, I thought the changes were more in line with there being more slice of the pie for the locals.
Tavarua was the original symbol of what is wrong with the surfing worlds greedy attempts in locking the gates to the average Joe for the benefit of the wealthy few.

Sparx

VIC

734 posts

Sparx

VIC, 734 posts

12 Jul 2010 10:19pm

Spent a lot of time in Fiji quite a few years ago. The missus ran the travel arm of a local business, the owner of which had set up a resort on an island back up the chain from Tavarua. No surf as such but only twenty five minutes away by boat. Agree that a lot of good has come from the relationship between resorts and locals however there are a lot of people who have been doing it tough for a long time. The locals around Seashell and Momi in particular copped it in the neck when access to the breaks started to dry up. Gotta be a more equitable way of sharing the resources hopefully without ruining them. Hmmm, might have to start psyching up for some Cloudebreak action.
Cheers
Sparx

laceys lane

QLD

19804 posts

laceys lane

QLD, 19804 posts

12 Jul 2010 10:54pm

Warddy said...

The Resort I believe will still operate as normal. I would imagine the seppos would bail as they couldnt charge the exorbatent prices they normally do. How much of that money was going to needy Fijians would be interesting to know, I thought the changes were more in line with there being more slice of the pie for the locals.
Tavarua was the original symbol of what is wrong with the surfing worlds greedy attempts in locking the gates to the average Joe for the benefit of the wealthy few.

never been, but i can't wear the concept of surf for the rich only. just look at those stupid wankie adds on tv advertising upper end waterfront real estate like some weird fantasy island episode to get an idea what is wrong with the world. to me that resort is an icon for greed and money elitism.

Piros

QLD

7296 posts

Piros

QLD, 7296 posts

13 Jul 2010 8:54am

I think it's great , those resorts will survive they just won't charging as much , it will also help surrounding villagers as people will be able to stay somewhere cheaper and travel to the different surf zones. This will help tourism not kill it.

Currently Fiji is everything surfing should'nt be

.

Rob

milko

NSW

604 posts

milko

NSW, 604 posts

13 Jul 2010 9:03am

Me and one mate out at Wilkes last September.. and this was after surfing Namotu for 2 hours.. Its not often you get it this good to yourself

Tux

VIC

3829 posts

Tux

VIC, 3829 posts

13 Jul 2010 9:08am

I think the unrestricted access is a good thing...what the governmnet is up too over there is a completely different story. I'm not to sure if its mentioned inthe article Sparxs linked to but the friendly chap that lifted the access on teh breaks has also set a maximum level of on foriegn ownership within the media. Basically what the current governmnet, installed via coup, are after is state controlled media that won't have bad things to say about wjhat there up too. Maybe the should have fair election before the start changing the constitution etc......

Bnaccas

VIC

1722 posts

Bnaccas

VIC, 1722 posts

13 Jul 2010 11:13am

Yeah people/resorts having sole access to a certain break is wrong IMO.

Glad to hear it's changing. Like Piros said I think it will bring more good to the local villages than bad.

Downwinder

QLD

2095 posts

Downwinder

QLD, 2095 posts

13 Jul 2010 4:41pm

Sparx said...

Was wondering wether anyone else had heard anything about this. I am off to Fiji mid next month and I think Down winder is heading there shortly. Apparently the Fiji govt has rescinded all rights/exclusive access to any and all of Fijis surf resources. This includes Tavarua! Having had the gates firmly slammed in my face a number of times in the eighties (also managed to scam a few classics) this news comes as something of a revelation. Was resigned to the fact that I would score a few sessions at Wilkes at best and do a lot of flat water cruising (family holiday on Plantation Island) Will try and post some of the links to articles I have been reading, otherwise just Google Fiji surf access.

~~http://www.surfermag.com/features/onlineexclusives/new_decree_aims_to_liberalize_fijian_surf_breaks_tavarua_fiji/~~

G'day Sparx
see you there August/ September
DW

www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=28969

www.surfinglife.com.au/news/asl-news/4662-fiji-surf-spot-rights-busting-open
Cheers
Sparx

roachy

NSW

391 posts

roachy

NSW, 391 posts

20 Jul 2010 5:19am

where is a good spot to stay to access wilkes , boat hire? cheapness

milko

NSW

604 posts

milko

NSW, 604 posts

20 Jul 2010 11:06am

green menace said...

where is a good spot to stay to access wilkes , boat hire? cheapness

Funky Fish.. malolo island..
www.funkyfishresort.com/
About as cheap as you can get for the islands.. its the closest to Wilkes of all the resorts except for Namotu and Tarvs.. Aussie family owned and very accommodating.. But definitely not luxurious..

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