A campaign to lift the ban on watersports at Silver Strand beach has been initiated.
The campaign follows the erection of signs banning watersports at the popular Barna beach by Galway City Council. The petition has garnered over 1,200 signatures in under a week.
According to Galway City Water Sports, the beach has seen all forms of watersports take place there for “over 50 years”. The signage bans a broad range of activities such as windsurfing, kitesurfing and surf craft. These terms encompass surfboards, kayaks, and stand-up paddle (SUP ) boards. This ban has led to confusion and concern among regular beach users and has caused conflict between swimmers and watersport users.
Silver Strand holds a blue flag, which requires zoning of beaches that supports multiple activities. This ensures swimmers and watersport users can co-exist safely.
“Galway City Council currently do not zone any of its beaches, making it the only local authority along the Wild Atlantic Way without such a management approach,” the statement reads.
The group has proposed swim and launch zones as an alternative to the blanket ban Galway City Council have placed on watersports at Silver Strand.
In September 2025, local city councillors adopted Motion NOM:58/2025 which has not yet been implemented. The campaign requests that management proceed with the implementation of this motion.
The motion reads as follows:
That Galway City Council develops a Beach Management and Zoning plan (that fully meets Criterion 30 of the Blue Flag beach criteria document ) for all Galway City Beaches.
That Galway City Council engages with all stakeholders to develop Zoning plans and maps for all Galway City Beaches (consistent with Criterion 5 and Criterion 30 of the Blue Flag beach criteria document ) that allows for dedicated launch zones, improved access routes to the water, and provides for safe, inclusive use of our beaches for swimmers, water-sports and beach users.
Since September 2025, the local water sports groups have met with Galway City Council management on four occasions but no resolution to the ban has been reached.
The group is calling upon Galway City Council to implement the motions, to remove the signs banning water sports and to Zone Silver Strand beach (for non-motorised watercraft ). The group believes that by aligning with Blue Flag criteria and international best practice, this will provide for safe, inclusive use of the beach for swimmers, water sports and general beach users.
The statement read, “We are asking for your support, the support of our elected representatives, and the Galway West by-election candidates to ensure that Silver Strand beach is zoned prior to the start of the 2026 bathing season.”
