Surf (Mat) Rage Results In Possible Attempted Murder Charge

Surf rage is all the umm… rage, right now. A fortnight ago there were shootings at a New Zealand spot, now, on our side of the ditch, there’s been a violent surf rage incident involving the dunking of a female ex-professional surfer. 

The dunker was exposed on Tuesday and a court notice was handed to the 56-year old offender for ‘assault occasioning actual bodily harm’ and a separate ‘assault’ charge, but today, Cameron Lindsay, the region’s police inspector has stated there is a chance these charges will be upgraded to attempted murder. 

The incident happened on August 22nd, and according to police reports was caused by a collision between the 56-year old and the 54-year old woman who was riding a surf mat. Presumably, the event unfolded as one dropped in on the other, words were exchanged, and the man then took hold of the woman before holding her head underwater for prolonged periods of time. 

But it get’s worse:

“The woman resurfaced three times but was pushed back under water again.” Constable David Henderson said,”This only stopped when the woman went limp in order to feign unconsciousness.”

The Northern Star reported that the 56-year old offender was riding a surf mat, but based on the police statement Stab understands it was actually the 54-year old woman who was on the surf mat. We however, will not be revealing the names of either of those involved as it’s now a more serious matter than ‘serf jernalizm’.  

According to Cameron Lindsay and the Richmond District Police Department, the attempted drowning has also been captured on footage and will be presented to the court. Currently the charge remains as ‘assault’, although will likely be upgraded to an attempted murder charge if the footage and additional statements support the woman’s account of what could be accurately described as an attempted drowning. 

Regardless of the motivations behind the attack, no circumstance in the water should ever result in proper physical violence. A heated exchange of words perhaps, but never blows, head dunkings, and certainly never instances where someone feels their life is threatened. 

The police are urging anyone who witnessed the attack or with additional information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.