Only professional surfers will be allowed back into the water from Monday – but the question of social surfing at a later stage under lockdown is still up for debate.

While sports minister Nathi Methethwa appeared clear at a media briefing today that only professional sportspeople may resume training – and non-contact sports may hold matches – there would appear to be some wiggle room ahead over the “complex issue” of surfing.

Responding to media questions, Sports, Arts and Culture department director general, Vusumusi Mkhize hinted that surfing was still up for discussion with surfing associations.

“This issue of surfing, and water and the virus has been one of the very complex discussions based on scientific versions. There is a version of this virus thriving in cold environments and therefore then being a risk, that people, if they are a group swimming together and if it is a swimming games, there is a risk.

“But there are those who are saying that chlorine attacks and destroys the virus.

“On the other hand, the issue of surfing, because it is in open water, those are the issues we need to discuss for surfing,” said Mkhize, suggesting that they would liaise with the country’s surfing body, Surfing South Africa.

Meanwhile, training for both professional contact and non-contact sports have been allowed while only non-contact sports have been allowed to hold matches.

Cricket would not be allowed to hold matches.

Sportsmen and women may resume training in all professional sports, regardless of whether it is a contact or non-contact sport.

While all sports grounds and swimming pools would also be opened to non-contact sport and for professional training, this however may be prohibited at any stage in hot spot areas.

The iLembe district is a named hot-spot area at the moment.

More to follow once the gazetted directions have been made available.

Do you want to receive news alerts from The North Coast Courier via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.