Surfboard Thief Tackled by Police in Australia (Video)

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Apr 11, 2025 1:35 PM ET

As the World Surf League gears up for the upcoming Gold Coast Pro, which was originally slated for Snapper Rocks, the famed Australian sand-bottomed pointbreak, but was moved to Burleigh Heads due to a total destruction of the Superbank courtesy of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, crazy scenes from the new venue just dropped. A surfboard thief, tackled to justice by authorities.

Per reports, someone swindled a surfboard from the sand, which led to a police chase in the water, followed by a wrestling match in the shorebreak, and ultimately, an arrest. For the full footage of the event – accompanied by narration from @nicka35 – sit back and hit play below.

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Here’s the play-by-play:

“A dramatic police chase has just taken place at Burliegh Heads. Splashing the cops and carrying on. It’s alleged that he stole a board from the sand, and tried to paddle his way to New Zealand to escape the law at the mighty Burleigh Heads, just minutes ago.

“Now you can see him trying to paddle in. It took multiple police officers, wrestling him in the shorebreak. Are you kidding me? It’s not known what the fella’s done, or whether he’s going to be released from jail…but he has been arrested while many onlookers, and easter crowds, were on the beach at Burleigh Heads to witness the whole thing go down.”

As mentioned, next month, the WSL’s Championship Tour will be headed to Burleigh Heads May 3rd-13th – the last-minute backup location for the Gold Coast Pro, as the result of sand decimation at Snapper. Should CT surfers be wary with their sleds? Stay tuned.

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

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