According to the National Rail conditions of carriage, surfboards are not permitted aboard South West Trains.
Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood has recently raised the issue in Parliament in order to try to lift the blanket ban on surfboards. In the process, he’s discovered that changing the rules and allowing individual train companies to determine their own policy on surfboards is no easy matter.
Speaking last week, he said:
There is a surprising amount of red tape and a worrying number of organisations needed to change something so simple. I have written a rather plain-speaking letter to the Secretary of State asking for him to knock some heads together.
Last year, South West Trains provided funding towards a bus link between the station and the seafront to encourage visitors to the surf reef.
A spokesperson for the Association of Train Operating Companies said they were hoping to get to a position soon where individual train companies could decide their own policies.
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Google]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[MySpace]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/myspace.png)
![[Newsvine]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/newsvine.png)
![[Reddit]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/reddit.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Technorati]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Twitter]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
![[Windows Live]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/windowslive.png)
![[Yahoo!]](http://www.bournemouthsurfreef.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
Sorted Surf Shop have announced the first surfing contest to be held at Bournemouth surf reef. They will be bringing the event to the beach at Boscombe with the help of main sponsor Rip Curl.
The dates are March 20th and 21st and the weekend will consist of surfing and bodyboarding competitions, as well as activities and demonstration stands with equipment for all to try.
The contest categories will consist of a Mens Open, Mens 35+, Ladies Open, and Groms (under 18’s). It will also host the first leg of the British Bodyboarding Annual Championships.
Gul team riders Mark “Egor” Harris and Russell Winter will be in attendance to give advice and sign autographs.
Monster Energy Drink will be hosting the after party being held at Urban Beach. There you will find all of the contest organisers, sponsors and contest competitors enjoying a BBQ, drink and live music with a few surprises thrown in to the mix.
Keep checking here for more information as it’s announced.
Congratulations to the following readers, who have each won a copy of the surf documentary “Bustin’ Down the Door” featuring Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, Shaun Tomson and Mark Richards.
The answer to the question was ‘Oahu’. If you are a winner, you will be contacted shortly.
- Suzanne Sendell, Cardiff
- Lucy Pugh, Bristol
- Richard Sutherland, Edinburgh
- Andy Joyce, Bournemouth
- Paul Allen, London
Click here to buy the DVD from amazon.co.uk
Keep checking www.bournemouthsurfreef.com for chances to win more great prizes!
