Byron Bay Surfer Might Face Jail Time Because Of “Surf Rage”

A 29-year-old Byron Bay surfer is facing criminal charges after hitting another surfer in the face with his board at Broken Head beach earlier last week. The incident occurred at around 1:30 in the afternoon last Monday. According to police, the reason for the surfer’s outburst was because, “He and another surfer went to catch the same wave.”

Apparently, the accused Byron Bay man shoved the nose of his board into the other man’s face, which led to facial injuries that caused the man to bleed. The victim was able to get away and contact the police, who quickly arrived and cornered the man in the surf (like a b-grade live reenactment of the ending of Point Break). The man was formally charged with assault and bodily harm, which in NSW carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment. 

“That type of behaviour is not acceptable,” said Tweed-Byron chief inspector, Luke Arthurs, after the incident. “Be aware that if you’re not happy in the surf and you assault somebody we will take action and you will have to face the courts.”

The accused is expected to appear at the Byron Bay local court on June 22. Aside from jail time, other penalties for the charge can include home detention and community service, on top of hefty fines. Guess Byron isn’t a barefoot bastion of peace and love all the time.