Boat Goes Wild, Drives Through Lower Trestles Lineup (Video)

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Sep 19, 2025 9:59 PM ET

Lower Trestles is known, among other things, for having a crowd that resembles rush hour on Interstate 5. But what transpired on Friday afternoon was downright diabolical. According to several reports and footage captured on a Surfline cam (and posted online by @lottrolls), a 30-foot sport fishing boat came in hot in between sets and steamrolled into the lineup at Lower Trestles.

The boat reportedly continued northbound toward Uppers. Thankfully, it did not hit one of the dozens of surfers in the lineup.

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It’s still unclear what happened. The video quality isn’t great, but it appears to show someone at the helm. It’s possible there was a malfunction with the throttle and/or steering. But even if the incident was accidental, it was illegal and dangerous. California law requires that boaters go 5 miles per hour or less within 100 feet of a swimmer or within 200 feet of a swimming beach or boat dock.

This wasn't the first time a vessel has lost control at Lowers. In 2020, two surfers keen to score empty a-frames during the middle of the covid-19 pandemic launched a boat from Dana Point Harbor and got flipped by the cooking south swell.

It's lucky nobody was hurt in either instance.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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