Web cams inform surfers of weather conditions at Croyde

There are a number of web cams sited around Croyde in north Devon, which give surfers an idea of sea conditions before they decide whether to make the journey to the beach.

Three of the anonymous signs have appeared in the town recently.

They are thought to be the work of either a disgruntled older person protesting at overcrowding, or a local teenager aggrieved at the amount of people from outside the town in the water at peak times.

If we stopped doing the web cams it wouldn't make any difference Steve Thomas, The Little Pink Shop Have your say on BBC Devon's surfing message board

Steve Thomas, who owns the Little Pink Shop which operates one of the Croyde "surf cams", said surfing was a very popular sport.

"At the moment surfing is being promoted as cool," said Mr Thomas.

"There probably won't be a man under 30 who hasn't had a surfing lesson soon, it's one of the 'things to do before you die' and the whole lifestyle is being sold to the masses.

"But if we stopped doing the web cams it wouldn't make any difference.

"You can't turn the clock back, this technology is available and so we use it."

He said the overcrowding could not be attributed to the web cams because the beach was busy even when the cameras revealed unfavourable conditions.

No-one is sure who put the signs up

Mr Thomas added that whoever is putting up the signs should be aware how important tourism is to the local economy.

He said: "Otherwise we will all be sitting here digging up turnips."

A spokesperson for South West Tourism said surfing was "an ideal activity to take part in outside of the main summer season, helping to extend the season for local tourism businesses".

The spokesperson said: "We believe that quality facilities and services should be available to surfers, whether they are local people or visitors, and this includes surf cams, which help people to make the journey to the coast when conditions are right."

John Foster, chairman of Croyde Surf Club, said the club has drawn up a set of guidelines for surfers from outside the area.

He said: "It is very crowded but we've all got to make a living.

"But overcrowding shouldn't be a problem if people are aware of their own skill level and observe surfing etiquette.

"If our guidelines are observed there shouldn't be any friction."