Laguna Beach Residents trying to ban scuba diving

[seansrs36]

As some know there is a movement underway by some Laguna Beach residents to ban scuba divers from the beaches of Laguna Beach. I am curious would this not be a violation of my civil rights? If they try to ban one particular group of individuals, won't they have to ban all people from using the beach? Are there any lawyers out there that could answer this?

I do hope that this will fall flat on its face.

Thanks,

Sean

 

[MaxBottomtime]

The petition is not to ban divers from the beaches, it's to limit the times we can be there. It won't pass, as divers are not the only ones making noise, but I have dived with friends at night who were louder than necessary. I understand the residents complaints, and try to gear up as quietly as possible. If more divers used a little common courtesy there wouldn't be a petition.
Residents spend a ton of money to live near the water. I wouldn't like it if someone was making a lot of noise outside my house late at night or early in the morning either.

 

[seansrs36]

But if they put a curfew on it, it would have to apply to anyone correct? Not just scuba divers. I know surfers are out there when the big waves come..oh wait now if you are a local then you can't use the beach if it is in the curfew hours as well I would assume..

 

[DiveScoop]

I've been out there at night a few times myself - some (repeat some) divers can get pretty loud and I can understand where the local residents might have a problem. Perhaps a little lesson in "common courtesy" amongst the dive community could have a positive affect on the situation?

 

[scjoe]

There is certainly a history of banning some activities at the beach (campfires, etc.) without banning all activities. Periodically there is a move to ban spear fishermen. Laguna has lots of interesting rules, so anything is possible, but it has a long tradition of scuba diving and the move in recent years has been to loosen, not tighten restrictions. My understanding is this got going with one resident who happens to live next to the stairs at one of the beaches. There does not seem to be a lot of support for him by other residents.

 

[undrwater]

I would think that some kind of noise ordinance should take care of the problem. If residents went at it from that angle, there might be a better response? Ticketing some obnoxious divers (as well as others) might get the message across.

 

[ItsBruce]

First, the city could probably ban scuba diving without also banning other uses of the beach. While it is discriminatory, scuba divers are not in a protected classification, e.g. race, religion, national origin, etc.

Second, it is easier to enforce a ban the use of a beach, especially at a given time than it is to enforce a noise ordinance.

Third, this is what happens when people do not take into account anyone but themselves.

 

[drbill]

Certainly divers and all other beach goers need to be courteous towards the residents who live adjacent to the beaches. However, perhaps the ban should be directed at people who knowingly buy property adjacent to a public beach and then complain that it is being used by the public. Seriously, I think some residents also need to recognize that others have a right to use public propertry, as long as they do so with courtesy.

 

[Codyjp]

When I'm at Laguna I seem to end up talking to at least a couple residents. I try to be friendly and share with them how wonderful the sea is. I think when people hear how great the diving is they get excited and for the most part are happy to hear they live by such a nice area. A guy the other day couldn't believe that we could see the garibaldi and seemed motivated to get out and start his training. Scuba diving is so foreign to most people that the more we can get out and spread a positive word the better off we will be and we just might make new dive buddies too.

Another consideration divers should make is controlling their lights at night. I try to keep things dark until I'm in the water and then try my best to not shine my light near any of the homes. Lastly be smart with parking. I see people double parking or hogging spaces on a busy day and that kind of stuff isn't cool!

Spearing/collecting lobsters is off putting to some people. It's always good to keep those activities as discreet and respectful as possible. Nobody wants to see bloody fish. (That being said, I've never seen anybody take ANYTHING out of the water at Laguna)

Lastly, don't take/leave your red cart anywhere it should belong DOH!

 

[WannaLaguna]

This whole thing is ridiculous and completely unnecessary.

common courtesy = common sense.

There are always going to be the oblivious. And those will be the ones to ruin it for all the other divers that are respectful (including most of us here) to the residents and their privacy.

The thing that scares me is; if they (loud divers) are that oblivious to their surrounds above water...what the heck are they doing under it?

Come on folks, use your head for more than holding your mask in place.

Hmmm...maybe a new PADI specialty.... Beach Signing

dive safe,

Jeff