SUP CORRIDOR FOR ALA MOANA OCEAN WATERS

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DOBOR DEPLOYS BUOYS IN ALA MOANA BEACH PARK WATERS
TO DEMARK STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD CORRIDOR

DOBOR Dive team deploying buoys at Ala Moana beach park ocean waters

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has installed a series of buoys in the lagoon of Ala Moana Beach Park to demark a Stand-up Paddleboard corridor and separate paddlers and swimmers for safety reasons.

“Since the meeting we hosted last year on this subject, we have continued to witness the growth of Stand-Up Paddling,” said DLNR Director Laura H. Thielen. “This reaffirms our view that creation of this paddleboard corridor is needed and can enhance safety in this waterway.”

A series of seven “spar buoys” has been installed between the shoreline and the interior of the reef and are held in place with concrete anchors weighing approximately 600 pounds nested on sandy areas of the sea floor. Between the spar buoy and the buoy weight is a tether of ¾-inch chain and shackles. The line of buoys stands approximately 80-feet shoreward of the reef in varying depths of water. DLNR’s lead agency on this issue, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, will observe use of this paddling corridor over the next few months and will survey users about its usefulness.

“We would like to remind the public that use of this corridor is not set in rule. We are conducting a test to see what works best for users. If during our trial period, we formulate a better solution to address the overcrowding, the mixed use and user conflicts in this waterway we will make changes in the public interest.”

“We have a list of guidelines for use of the corridor that we hope the public will adopt.” If everyone will take the time to understand the suggested guidelines, and orient newcomers to the suggested use of the paddling zone, we can all benefit.”

“As we’ve said before, the last thing we want to do is create a set of rules for this waterway that will shut the door on a user group. Our goal is to provide all ocean users as unrestricted access to the ocean as possible so we can all enjoy the many benefits of this resource,” concluded Thielen.

The calm waters of the lagoon at Ala Moana Beach Park offer ideal conditions for novice paddlers. However, a rapid proliferation of paddleboarding in these waters in 2009 prompted DLNR to seek a way to mitigate the hazards of overcrowding and a mix of uses, most notably, paddling and swimming. DOBOR formulated a proposed solution to the issueand presented the plan at a public meeting in May 2009.

PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR USE OF THE ALA MOANA OCEAN WATERS STAND-UP PADDLING CORRIDOR

The Stand-Up Paddling corridor is demarked by a series of buoys and the interior (mauka) edge of the reef. This area is designated for use by stand up paddlers.
The swimming/wading zone is the area between the series of buoys and the shoreline. This area is designated for use by swimmers and waders.
Swimmers and waders should always have the right of way in all areas.
Novice paddlers should wear a leash attached to their boards while in the waterway.
Minors and individuals unsure of their swimming abilities operating paddleboards in the paddling corridor should wear a US Coast Guard approved personal floatation device (PFD) as a precaution.
Paddlers may ingress and egress the waters of the waterway at any point but should take the safest, most direct route to the paddling corridor.
Swimmers may access the reef by traversing the paddling corridor at any point but should take the safest, most direct route to the reef.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources asks that all users of this waterway respect the rights of others to enjoy this resource. The department also hopes that swimmers, waders and paddlers will act responsibly, render aid to those who need assistance and mentor others who are not acquainted with the uses of the swim/wading zone or the paddling corridor.

Download a printable version of the proposed guidelines for use of the Ala Moana Ocean Waters SUP Corridor.

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