Bodyboarding is a CRIME in Florida : These are the ordinances that need to be changed.

06/23/2023: a bodyboarder was arrested in Panama City Beach after violating the ordinance and unfortunately running from police, circumstances of the incident can be found here. 

Ordinances in 3 Northwest Florida Counties that have outlawed the sport of Bodyboarding :

The Problem: Each ordinance defines "Surfboard and Surfing". By omitting a bodyboard with flippers, the sport of bodyboarding & all bodyboarders are prohibited by law.

Resolution Proposal: The "Surfing and Surfboard" definition should be changed to  include "..a bodyboard with flippers."

Highlighted below per ordinance show where a change is needed. 

This change will  provide the same level of safety by continuing to prohibit boogie boards used by swimmers while at the same time permitting Sport of Bodyboarding. Help Us Make a Change! Contact 

Panama City Beach City Council (Bay County)

Link to Ordinance 1494 Chapter 7 (12)(e) 

CHAPTER 7 OF THE CITY'S CODE OF

ORDINANCES RELATING TO BEACH SAFETY;

(12)(e) This section shall not apply to persons attached by a leash to a

surfboard. A surfboard means a fiberglass, epoxy, closed-cell

neoprene or closed cell Styrofoam instrument with one or more fins

or skegs attached to or inserted through the bottom, including

windsurf boards and sailboards, but does not include rubber rafts,

floats, belly boards, skim boards, or boogie boards.  

Walton County

Link to Walton County, Florida - Code of Ordinances Chapter 22

Sec. 22-02. Definition of : "Surfboard " and "Surfing "

Surfboard means a fiberglass, epoxy, closed-cell neoprene or Styrofoam instrument with one or more fiberglass fins or skegs attached or inserted into the belly or bottom of the surfboard. This definition shall include windsurfboards and sailboards. This definition shall not include rubber rafts, floats, belly boards, or boogie boards, but does include stand-up paddle boards.

Surfing means the riding or paddling of a surfboard within the waters of the Gulf of Mexico abutting or adjacent to the beach.

Sec. 22-54. - Regulation of use and conduct on the beach and water bodies.

(h)(3)It shall be unlawful for any person, having been given actual or constructive notice such as by the posting of signs or the making of public announcements, to violate any order closing the beach or water adjacent to the beach. Those persons surfing as defined herein with a surfboard are exempt from this section, unless a mandatory evacuation order for the adjacent beach property has been issued.


Okaloosa County:

Link to Okaloosa County, FL Code of Ordinances, Chapter 16, Article II

Sec. 16-41. - Definitions.  "Surfboard " and "Surfing "

Surfboard means a fiberglass, epoxy, closed-cell neoprene or styrofoam instrument with one
or more fiberglass fins or skegs attached or inserted into the belly or bottom of the surfboard. This
definition shall include windsurtboards, paddle boards, and sailboards. This definition shall not
include rubber rafts, floats, belly boards, or boogie boards.

Surfing means the riding or paddling of a surfboard within the waters of the Gulf of Mexico
abutting or adjacent to the beach. 

Sec. 16-43. -(h)(2)

Following a declaration of a state of emergency for any portion of any water body in
Okaloosa County including the incorporated areas, and the posting of double red flags
prohibiting entry into the water, failure to comply with directions of lifeguards or law
enforcement officers shall be a violation of Section 843.02, Florida Statutes, or other
applicable statute. Those persons surfing as defined herein with a surfboard attached to the surfer by a leash are exempt from this article.




Location: Panama City Beach, FL, USA

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