Policing Surfers

* Your article (July 22) on proposed cuts in county lifeguard coverage did not articulate a major beach issue. The reality of seeing the dagger-like point of a surfboard bearing down upon you as you stand in the waves gives you a broad definition of “public safety.” A close second, as a risk to life, to any riptide is the inconsiderate surfer. Eliminating lifeguards will effectively close the ocean to bathers. The photo with the story, showing a lifeguard warning surfers from a swimming area, does raise the issue, and perhaps suggests a solution. Let us require an annual license or registration fee for every surfboard. Let those who need to be policed pay for it.

HOWARD KAMINSKY

Manhattan Beach