Latest news with #Surfer
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wave Capsizes Boat in Bali, Tourists Panic to Escape (Video)
Passengers on a ferry boat heading from Bali to the nearby isle of Nusa Lembongan, yesterday, experienced a horror scenario as the boat was struck by strong surf, and began to sink. Panic spread through the ferry, carrying around 100 people, as they broke windows, fighting for their lives. Luckily, there have been no reports of casualties or serious injuries. Scenes from the sinking boat, however, showed chaos and cries for help – no doubt turning a dream vacation for the passengers, many of whom were tourists, into a momentary nightmare. A handful of Australians were amongst the travelers on the sinking ship, and local news heard their tales. 'The one point of exit was literally a small little hatch,' said Andy Wood, a man from Perth aboard the boat with his wife and two kids. 'So, I think the people, particularly in the back where the water was coming in, were in a real panic state.' One woman busted open a window to escape. Bobbing bodies were floating as the boat slowly sank. Some people clinging on the bow, reaching out for help as another boat swooped in to rescue.'It was just people who weren't used to being familiar in water,' Wood continued. 'And I think the majority of them couldn't swim, so it was causing a fair bit of anxiety and panic amongst people.' Reportedly, the boat was overcapacity – that's being investigated as a possible cause of the catastrophe. Meanwhile, another recent near-tragedy on a separate Balinese island, also involving a tourist and the wrath of the ocean. A travel influencer was at Angel's Billabong, a popular sightseer spot on Nusa Penida, when a rogue wave almost swept her to a watery grave. Sadly, others have died at the spot. Bali bagus? Bali Capsizes Boat in Bali, Tourists Panic to Escape (Video) first appeared on Surfer on Jun 5, 2025
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Surfer Tackled by NJ Cop Over Beach Badge Dispute (Video)
A courtroom drama unfolded in New Jersey, following an arrest involving a surfer from last summer. The incident began when the surfer was prompted by a police officer to show his beach badge – a proof of payment to the municipality, which funds beach maintenance, lifeguard wages, etc. Liam Mahoney, a 29-year-old Californian, was surfing 19th Avenue in Belmar on August 30th, when he was approached by officer Ryan Braswell, and asked to present his beach badge. Mahoney was at the edge of the water, holding his longboard at the time. An argument ensued, Mahoney was tackled to the sand, handcuffed, and put into a police vehicle. The entire incident was captured on body cam footage, and released publicly. See below. In a statement, Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott said Mahoney 'was not arrested for not having a beach badge. He was arrested because he obstructed the officer's investigation by refusing to give his identification or pedigree information. [He] was told approximately nine to 10 times to place his hands behind his back, but he continued to resist preventing Officer Braswell from handcuffing him.' The video shows officer Braswell say, 'You take another step, and you're going to be arrested.' 'For surfing?' Mahoney replies. 'I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm in the ocean.'Most New Jersey municipalities require beach badges for summer, and they range in price from $50 to $200 for the entire season. Apparently, Mahoney did have a beach badge – he was borrowing one from his sister. Although he didn't have one on his person, as he was surfing at the time. In court, to address the arrest, Mahoney explained that he was going 'full commando.' He added: 'I didn't have it on me when I was surfing,' After a back-and-forth in court, according to local news, eventually Mahoney took a plea deal in the case. He will enter a diversion program and pay fines. If he completes the program, the charges – which include disorderly conduct, obstruction, and resisting arrest – will be Tackled by NJ Cop Over Beach Badge Dispute (Video) first appeared on Surfer on Jun 4, 2025
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Megalodon Tooth Millions of Years Old Found in Florida (Video)
Call me crazy, uneducated, or what-have-you, but I thought the ancient Megalodon shark was just a myth. A fabled creature, akin to the kraken, trumpeted by Shark Week and other fear-mongering media, to entice viewers with shock and awe into their programming. Alas, I was wrong. Recently, a diver off the Gulf Coast of Florida made the find of a lifetime, discovering a six-inch tooth from the early Miocene to early Pliocene epochs, ranging from 23 to 3.6 million years ago. It was so rare, shark experts called it: 'Like winning the lottery. One chance in a million or more.' 'We were really close to the ground,' said Kristina Scott, who found the tooth while diving off Venice in Sarasota County with her boyfriend. 'I saw just the root of it, covered in barnacle. I knew the shape. And I pulled it out of the dirt, and started freaking out. I pulled his [her boyfriend's] arm. I was trying to yell with the regulator in my mouth. But yeah, we were just stoked.'When compared to other shark teeth, this megalodon fang makes modern sharks look like sardines. But how big, exactly, were these ancient behemoths. Well, there's only fossil records to go off, but scientists have some ideas. According to a Smithsonian report on the carcharocles megalodon: 'Carcharocles megalodon was once the most fearsome predator to reign the seas. This ancient shark lived roughly 23 to 3.6 million years ago in nearly every corner of the ocean. Roughly up to 3 times the length of a modern-day great white shark, it is the largest shark to have ever lived. It had a powerful bite with a jaw full of teeth as large as an adult human's hand. They likely could tear chunks of flesh from even the largest whales of the time. It should come as no surprise that upon discovery in the fossil record, the massive shark was named Carcharocles megalodon or 'big toothed glorious shark.'' As for the rarity (and potential price tag) of such a find from the diver in Florida – as in, could she cash in on it? – the newscasters could only fathom: 'From our understanding, this is, like, museum-quality stuff…it's a big deal.'Megalodon Tooth Millions of Years Old Found in Florida (Video) first appeared on Surfer on Jun 2, 2025
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Aussie Faces Death Penalty for Drug Arrest in Bali Surf Hub
Indonesia's drug enforcement laws are notoriously some of the strictest in the world. Mere possession of a minor amount of the country's Class 1 narcotics – which includes everything from heroin to meth to marijuana – can equate to years behind bars, and thousands of dollars in fees. And the penalties only go up from there. For one Australian native, he's facing the most severe legal repercussions possible for accusations of trafficking cocaine into the surf-rich region of Bali's Canggu. Lamar Ahchee is alleged to have smuggled (or, rather, received a package with) $1.1 million worth of cocaine, hidden in chocolate wrappers, when he was caught by authorities – and now he's facing the death penalty. According to Ahchee's lawyer, he was set up. He didn't know what was in the packages. Per his legal representative, Edward Pangkahila: 'It's not true, he didn't admit [to dealing], he is shocked about the case, he never thought that would happen. Lamar has been set up by someone called 'Boss.' He was told to collect the package, but he actually didn't know what the package was… He thought it was a normal package. He's telling me that honestly, he doesn't know what was inside. We're still looking for that somebody who tell him to take this package.'This isn't the first time foreigners have faced the strict arm of the law in Bali, when it comes to drug charges. Not even close. There's a long history of surfers attempting to smuggle drugs into the country, through creative methods, and getting caught. For example, hiding drugs in surfboards has been a common tactic – although many have been caught. Diving deep into the history, in a piece highlighting the dangers of drug smuggling in Bali from a past print issue, writer Kathryn Bonella spoke with those convicted. One accused summed it up as such: 'Bali can be heaven one minute and hell in the next. You live the fantasy, you live the dream, but one day you wake up.'Aussie Faces Death Penalty for Drug Arrest in Bali Surf Hub first appeared on Surfer on May 30, 2025
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourists Will Be Charged $2.25 Per Day to Surf in Hawaii
In a landmark piece of legislation, Hawaii has become the first state to enact a 'green fee' – or a tax on tourists, aimed at fighting future climatological disasters – set to go into effect January 1st, 2026. The tax, specifically, will apply to travelers staying in hotels, short-term rental homes, and cruise ships. And how much exactly? The transient accommodations tax (TAT) will be increased by 0.75 percent – translation: a nightly rate of $300 in a hotel will have an extra $2.25 per night added to the bill. Senate Bill 1396 was signed by Hawaii Governor Josh Green earlier this week, enacting what they are calling the 'Green Fee,' the first-of-its-kind for any state, going into effect next year. Governor Green said via press release: 'Today Hawaiʻi ushers in the first Green Fee in the nation. Once again, Hawaiʻi is at the forefront of protecting our natural resources, recognizing their fundamental role in sustaining the ecological, cultural and economic health of Hawaiʻi. As an island chain, Hawaiʻi cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action. We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future.'Of course, Hawaii is one of the world's most trafficked hubs for tourism. And all those people take a toll on the historic, and culturally significant island chain. So, this tax is an attempt to get ahead of future environmental impacts the islands may experience – a reserve, of sorts, for future disasters. 'I mahalo the tourism industry for stepping up and collaborating on this initiative, which will preserve Hawaiʻi for kamaʻāina and visitors alike,' continued Governor Green. 'The fee will restore and remediate our beaches and shorelines and harden infrastructure critical to the health and safety of all who call Hawaiʻi home, whether for a few days or a lifetime.' If you're traveling to Hawaii, and you're staying in a hotel or short-term vacation rental, starting in 2026, it's gonna cost you an extra $2.25 per day to surf. But, instead of an extra fee, consider it an investment in the natural beauty and the future prosperity of this sacred Will Be Charged $2.25 Per Day to Surf in Hawaii first appeared on Surfer on May 30, 2025
