Surf etiquette dispute turns violent at Santa Cruz beach

SANTA CRUZ — A local surfer was arrested near one of the region’s most popular surf breaks after allegedly assaulting a fellow wave rider late last month using a small keychain weapon.

According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 10 a.m. April 27 to an area near the Hook’s parking lot off of East Cliff Drive after receiving reports of a stabbing. Interviews with numerous bystanders revealed that two men approached another man in a confrontation about surf etiquette.