March 29, 2020.
I’m writing tonight to tell you about a few changes you’ll notice with surfsouthoz, starting on Tuesday March 31.
Firstly, the surf forecast which returned to bi-weekly in February this year, will be paused. The last three forecasts have also been deleted. Secondly, the daily surf reports for the Mid Coast and South Coast will be paused. There will be no surf report or surf forecast related content posted on surfsouthoz.com.au after tomorrow, March 30.
At this stage, the pause will be for the month of April and March 31 2020, but the end date may be extended.
I have ruminated a lot on this over the last few days, but recent events have pushed surfsouthoz in this direction. The CoVid -19 pandemic has changed everything. Those on the front line of health care in Australia are already under massive stress and in constant fear as the situation deteriorates. But meanwhile, far too many people are carrying on as if nothing is happening and everything is great. News of car parks on the South Coast overflowing on Saturday, and campsites on the Eyre Peninsula filled to the brim last week, were to say the least, disappointing. Victor Harbor recently topped the list of CoVid-19 vulnerable areas nationally, due to its large and aging population.
In all conscience, surfsouthoz cannot, and will not, contribute to jeopardizing the safety of those vulnerable people. The same goes for the Yorke Peninsula and Far West Coast community who have limited access to critical medical services. If you choose to still visit those areas, that’s up to you. From now on the message from surfsouthoz can’t be mixed or ambiguous. The message is this: Don’t go surfing. STAY AT HOME.
But let me take this moment to say thanks for all the likes, the comments, the funny shit you post on social media, and the emails… even the ones telling me to lift my game or to just shut the fuck up. Thanks to everyone I’ve got to know over the years purely because I keep turning up and doing this shit day in, day out. You guys and girls have made the coast more than just a place to live for me. You’ve made it my home.
Surfsouthoz has been South Australia’s longest running daily surf report, and this April would have marked its 20th year. 2020 is going to be a very tough year for all of us, and many challenges lie ahead. But once this dark time has passed, surfsouthoz, and many other creative people, businesses, and services, will be back.
Take care, and look after those you love. We’ll get through this together.
– Pete Mariner aka dUg / boyd kalimba / the surfsouthoz guy