South-west surfer score best conditions in years during coronavirus pandemic

Surfing is one of six activities permitted by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) during stage three restrictions. Walking, hiking, bike riding, kayaking and yoga in a park are also permitted.

Law, a local surfer and board shaper, said it was great the activity was still permitted during the stressful time.

"On many levels it's very good for mental health and for physical exercise and we are seeing large numbers of people surfing throughout this period," he said.

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But the long-time surfer urged keen participants to abide by the restrictions in and out of the water.

"The basic message we have been putting out is for surfers to maintain their distance in the water and then don't hang around in car parks," he said.

"So get in, get out, get changed and go home and none of the chatting in car parks that us surfers are renowned for."

Law also asked surfers to keep travelling to a minimum during the second introduction of stage three restrictions.

"We are asking them if they do surf that they do it locally and not travel out of area," he said. "A 20-kilometre zone would be suitable as we have had some instances were surfers from Torquay have been coming down here and we have not been too happy about it.

"It's a good time to get out and surf locally and put travelling off for another day."

Law and Port Fairy's Go Surf owner and head coach Keith Curtain said south-west surfers were experiencing the best conditions in decades.

"The conditions have been more offshore this year than it has in recent years and looking at Friday's forecast it will mean three offshore Fridays in a row, which is great heading into the weekend," Curtain said.

"This week was the first string of south-east winds in a while and this week is the longest onshore period since lockdown.

"There has been plenty of consecutive offshore days, sun and with relatively light winds that has been a silver cloud in all of this."

Law and Curtain said a number of surfers, who dedicated their time to other sports, had returned to the water in search of exercise during the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's good surfing is still allowed," Law said.

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