SURF COMMUNITY RISES UP AGAINST BA SURFBOARD BAN |
Wednesday, 31 October 2007 | |
Since British Airways (BA) announced a ban on surfboards on all flights
(effective from 6th Nov), the surf community across the world has been reacting
to the shock new position and taking decisive action to push for a reversal on
the decision.
Until now BA has had a reputation for being one of the most surfer friendly
airlines but last weekend their new ruling stated that surfboards, alongside
other items such as hang gliders, windsurfing boards and sails, kayaks or
canoes, pole vaults or javelins, will no longer be accepted as baggage on any
flights on the extensive BA network. However when pushed by journalists on the fact that they will still carry skis and golf clubs, which can be as heavy and cumbersome as surf boards, they said, "We carry significantly more items such as golf bags and skis, which means we are able to put more robust processes in place to handle them."
The announcement and subsequent statements have caused uproar amongst surfers
who see the new decision as a marginalisation of the sport and of all those
within the global surf community. The UK has over 500,000 regular surfers and
nations such as South Africa, France, Australia and the USA have a much larger
surf scene.
World Number One surfer Mick Fanning of New South Wales, Australia, has
backed the campaign and signed the petition. He says, "As a British Airways
‘Platinum One World Frequent Flyer' and an athlete on the World Professional
Surfer's tour, it's really hard to understand why people who have been so loyal,
and spent so much money with BA have been dealt this blow. Newly crowned European longboard champion and English champion Ben Skinner is also behind the campaign saying, "As part of the British team I have always traveled with BA. I think it's a disgrace that they have thrown this ban back at us. BA seems to have totally underestimated the amount of business they stand to lose. I feel that as our national airline they should support British surfing."
Surfers from as far a field as Australia, USA, South Africa, Canada,
Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Russia, Costa Rica and all over Europe have been signing
up and leaving messages of concern, surprise and in many cases, disgust. Across
the UK there has also been concern from tourist boards and local councils where
surf tourism forms a key part of the local economy. Regular Jersey surfer Andy Cummins said, "I have a trip planned to Barbados in November, I have had quotes from freight companies to get my boards there for between £400 and £700 pounds which is absolutely ridiculous. BA has obviously not thought the policy through and don't seem to realise how many people this will effect. It means that I simply will not be flying with BA for any reason again unless the ban is lifted."
Other British surfers will now be effectively ‘stranded' if they want to fly
with their boards as some, such as those based on the outlying islands, are
mainly serviced by BA flights. Rodney Jamieson from Stornoway on the Isle of
Lewis off Scotland said, "From an islanders perspective this ban is ludicrous.
Karen Walton, National Director, at the Newquay-based BSA, says, "In the last
week, news about the ban has spread though the global surf community by
word-of-mouth, through the Internet and through the international media.
Without a doubt, the reaction has been one of disbelief, shock and anger.
Mrs Walton continues, "They are saying that there are alternative freight
companies that can ship people's boards instead, however this just isn't a
viable option. We checked with TNT as an example and to get a board from
Newquay to Hossegor in France it would cost in excess of £200 each way and take
six days to get there and another six to get back.
Dave Hitchins part for the group who set up the Facebook ‘BA Surfboard Ban
Group' says, "I honestly think that the Facebook group and the BSA petition are
the tip of the iceberg. The Facebook group has grown by almost a thousand people
a day over the last week. Dave continues, "It just seems that BA is out of touch with tomorrow's market. Surfing is an aspirational sport, it is a pastime that all manner of brands have sought to associate themselves with - from that great Guinness advert to major car manufactures like Renault and Vauxhall and even the BBC. Why is BA going the other way? "Surfers are young and old, male and female. They are professional athletes, students, teachers and businessmen. They all love their sport though, and the ability to escape to a far off country with their boards is a huge part of that love. I hope that we can make BA see that and change their minds." The BSA is continuing to urge everyone who surfs to take five minutes to go online and follow their recommended action steps. The BSA is planning to deliver the petition to the management of BA in person next week, alongside the supportive statements from other organisations.
Surfer action steps
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