 |
 |
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Surfers seek end to drive-by squirtings ---------------------------------------------------------------------- December 1 1997 THE organisers of Britain's biggest surf festival have appealed for a ban on the sale of water guns after dozens of bystanders got caught in the crossfire last year. Many of the 50,000 surfing and custom-car enthusiasts at the Run to the Sun event in Newquay, Cornwall, each spring bank holiday, engage in enormous water fights through the town, using pistols that fire powerful jets. Police confiscated more than 100 of the pistols last year and there were many complaints by victims of the drive-by squirtings. Residents say they dare not venture out during the festival and that the pistols, which can cost up to =A340 each, have been loaded with beer, paint, bleach and even urine. The event's organisers last week took out a half-page advertisement in the local newspaper calling on shops not to stock the weapons. They are threatening to organise a boycott of shopkeepers who defy a voluntary ban. Organiser Chris Christopheros is concerned that while the shopkeepers make the money, the festival gets the blame for the chaos. BY SIMON DE BRUXELLES=20 Copyright 1997 The Times Newspapers Limited <http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/Times/timnwsnws01002.html?1934550> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- janet [log in to unmask]