Angry locals shoot at surfers on ‘invitation only’ beach

A 14-YEAR-OLD and two men were shot at while surfing at a secluded spot in New Zealand in an apparent attack by locals who did not want outsiders “using their waters”.

Police believe three shots were fired from the coast at the three surfers, who were in waters that are considered by some locals to be accessible by invitation only. A fisherman has previously been shot at in the same area.

The trio surfed in the waters, south of Albatross Point on New Zealand’s west coast, after travelling by jet skis.

They told police three shots were fired, including one that landed about 10 feet from the youth, who was surfing with his father and another man.

They later spotted two people on land screaming abuse. Police urged locals to assist in identifying the men.

“It is extremely dangerous and if you put yourself in the boy’s shoes, extremely frightening,” said Ōtorohanga police Sergeant Andy Connors.

“The second [shot] sounded a lot closer and the third landed adjacent to where they were. You’d be petrified what’s going to happen next.”

The two older surfers have reportedly been surfing together for 25 years and have visited the spot before.

Daniel Kereopa, a surfer who has been invited to the spot by a family who live in the area, said : “Ever since I have known the place and the people that cared for it, it’s generally been by invitation. [It’s] not affected by tourists.”

John Gavala, who has been researching “surf rage”, said intimidation was common but he had never heard of surfers being shot at. “I’ve heard of some vandalism, slashed tyres and people getting over-protective of their breaks and of surf etiquette,” he said.