Gold Coast night surfing trial gets green light despite concerns about sharks

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The proposal to trial night surfing as part of a World Surf League event at Snapper Rocks next year is backed by the Gold Coast City Council.

The Gold Coast's bid to host a night surfing event next year is a step closer after the council backed the proposal, despite concerns about the risk of shark encounters after dark.

The proposed trial — set to take place during the 2027 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour at Snapper Rocks — would not be open to the public.

Instead, night surfing would be restricted to elite competitors taking part in a speciality event in May.

The concept involves installing temporary floodlighting to allow the competition to continue after sunset, as the council explores whether night surfing can become a permanent fixture to ease congestion at some of the Gold Coast's busiest surf breaks.

However, the proposal faced opposition at Tuesday's council meeting, with councillor Donna Gates raising concerns about who would be held liable if a surfer was attacked by a shark during the event.

"I have been concerned about this because of the dawn and the dusk issue, with potential shark bites or attacks," Cr Gates said.

Infrastructure Gold Coast director Michael Kahler clarified that the council was not approving the event or the installation of lighting at this stage but simply endorsing the "concept" of a night surfing trial as part of the WSL competition.

"I would recommend that would be when we would look at any legal liability issues rather than at this very early stage, which is really just a concept."

The motion was ultimately carried, with Cr Gates the only councillor to vote against it.

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