Lifesavers and surf instructors have warned a ban on all surfers at North Bondi would make the southern end of the popular Sydney beach cramped and more dangerous.
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Waverley Council will consider a restriction on boards with a fin from the northern half of Bondi Beach to boost safety for swimmers.
In a message to members, North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club president Mark Cotter said on Wednesday the club's board "did not support the proposal in any way".
"Of course our primary objective is to ensure the swimming and surfing public are safe, however, this plan is not going to do that and stands the chance of actually making it far more dangerous."
The council said the idea was included in a survey of beach users in response to "resident enquiries" as part of its yearly review of operations at Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches.
But mayor John Wakefield said there were currently "no plans to ban surfing" at the iconic beach and councillors would not make a decision until the results of the survey were known.
Soft boards – popular with young children and learn-to-surf groups – are currently allowed anywhere along the 900-metre stretch except in flagged swimming areas.
Fibreglass boards can only be used at the southern end during patrol hours.
If adopted, the changes would force people learning to surf to the rougher end of the beach with more experienced surfers.
Let's Go Surfing director Brenda Miley said keeping the south end of the beach for hard surf-craft and the flagged areas for swimming was "in step with all beaches around Australia".
"Having learnt to surf at North Bondi as a kid, back in the 60s and 70s, this discussion has been going on for as long as I can remember.
"Children and many beginners are not ready to surf at the south end as the surf is too dangerous."
She said the business, which has operated at North Bondi since 1995, would work with the council "no matter what decisions are made".
Surf Lifesaving NSW spokesman Liam Howitt said Bondi was one of the busiest beaches in Sydney, attracting up to 20,000 visitors a day, and the current system for swimmers and surfers worked.
"Congestion at the south end of the beach is something that would need to be discussed.
"We believe everyone has the right to access the beach, whether it's surfers, swimmers, bodyboarders, nippers, and we'd certainly push for that to continue."
The suggestion triggered a wave of outrage among surfing enthusiasts, with Bondi Boardriders president Ian Wallace warning such a move would turn south Bondi into "a free-for-all".
"This is a silly idea that could potentially harm a lot of people. I think we're running the risk of creating a lot more work for lifeguards."
Mr Wallace understood concerns over surfers at the north end of the beach were limited to "a very small number of swimmers".
The council acknowledged the suggested ban would restrict 84 per cent of beach users to the surf breaks at the southern end of the beach, with a higher risk of injuries due to congestion.
