A man has been accused of holding a woman's head underwater in Lennox Head, New South Wales. The violent incident was captured on video.
According to the local authorities, the 55-year-old surfer pushed the woman's head below the water surface for three times in what is being described as a surf rage incident.
Police say that the unidentified man, who was riding a surf mat at Lennox Point, and the 54-year-old woman collided in the water. The male surfer will be charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
"People have to respect each other in the water because the laws apply not only on land but also when someone is surfing," said detective chief Inspector Cameron Lindsay.
"The man held her underwater to the point that she thought she was going to drown. This is a worrying and despicable act."
The man only stopped pushing her underwater when the woman pretended to have drowned.
Recently, a sign was placed at Lennox Point urging foreign surfers to "respect the locals. Do not paddle up the inside."
The number of surf rage incidents taking place at the iconic right-hand point break has been increasing. Local surf clubs believe that the massive crowds explain the growing tension in the line-up.
Additionally, the number of quality surf days has been fewer than usual in the region, and especially during winter.