Aussie banned for 'surf rage'

2006-03-02 21:07

Sydney - An Australian surfer accused of "surf rage" has been banned from riding the waves at nine Sydney beaches, local media reported on Thursday.

A court heard that John Dunne, 34, had mounted a campaign of intimidation against other surfers who dared catch his favourite, world-renowned, breakers at North Narabeen Beach.

He allegedly harassed seven people, including a church minister and a local lifeguard, after clashes in the surf, and is facing 29 counts of assault, stalking and malicious damage.

At a first court appearance last month, Dunne was banned from all beaches in New South Wales state, but a magistrate on Wednesday reduced the ban to cover nine Sydney-area beaches.

"I think the decision to prevent him going to any beaches is a bit beyond the pale," magistrate Andrew George was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.

But the magistrate refused to allow Dunne to visit the beach where his father's ashes were scattered, stipulating that he not go within 100m of any of the nine surfing spots until the court case was completed.

Australian Nat Young, 53, four-time world champion surfer, has attributed "surf rage" to the increasing number of surfers searching for quality waves. - Sapa-AFP

- SAPA