National Surfing Reserve

Description

Victoria’s first National Surfing Reserve was launched on Phillip Island on 16 March 2013. The Reserve is made up of four sites along Phillip Island’s coast - Woolamai, Smiths Beach, Summerlands and Cat Bay. The Reserve recognises that the ‘Island’ is special for its Aboriginal and natural values, and all surfers must play a role in protecting these. The philosophy of National Surfing Reserves is to ‘care, share and preserve’.

Beach Facts:

• Woolamai - for the ever-changing world-class beach breaks.
• Smiths Beach - for the Island’s premier barreling reef break and the mellower waves where many grommets experience their first wave.
• Summerlands - The ‘birthplace’ of Island surfing with iconic reef breaks that work in the largest of swells.
• Cat Bay - for the high quality left and right hand reef breaks that allow surfing when other south-facing Island beaches have onshore winds.

Beach Safety

• These beaches have strong rips and currents
• Cape Woolamai and Smiths Beach are patrolled over the summer period by the Woolamai Surf Lifesaving Club
• Lifesavers are only on duty when the red and yellow flags are displayed. Remember to always swim between the flags
• For more information visit wwww.lifesavingvictoria.com.au
• Rock fishermen are advised to exercise extreme caution. Download the rock fishing safety brochure (multiple languages)
• Multilingual information on rips and beach safety