A Jersey surfer has issued a public apology after a national competition final in Scotland was thrown into disarray when the non-competitor decided to paddle out to surf while the event was still underway.
In a public statement posted on social media today, Ian Battrick said he “made a mistake” during the GB Surfing Cup in Thurso, which was subsequently postponed.
Mr Battrick, who was not competing in the event, admitted that he paddled out to “free surf” in an area where female surfers were competing.
Free surfing is the term given to those surfing recreationally outside of a competition.
Jersey’s Nathan Elms and Owen Graham had both qualified for the men’s open final before organisers halted the event following the disruption caused by the non-competitors.
GB Surfing said: “We understand that there is a police investigation proceeding into an alleged incident of abuse towards competitive surfers by ‘free’ surfers, initially directed towards female competitors in the GB Cup.”
Police in Scotland confirmed to Express that no arrests had been made following the alleged incident of abuse, but a spokesperson said enquiries were “still ongoing”.
Although Mr Battrick acknowledged that he had began free surfing whilst the event was running, he denied that any abuse had occurred.
He said: “During the recent surf competition, I made a mistake. The event was still running, and paddled out for the free surf with others when maybe l shouldn’t have.
“It was selfish and thoughtless. I didn’t think about how that might affect the competitors or those who had worked hard to make the event happen. I take full responsibility for that choice.
“It was wrong, and I’m deeply sorry to anyone who felt disrespected or upset because of it. I can’t take it back, but I want to make clear that it came from poor judgment, not bad intention.”
The Jersey surfer also claimed that he had personally faced abuse since the incident, and condemned “rumours” that had allegedly been spread about him online.
“I can accept being called out for any mistake I have personally made. I deserve that,” he said.
“But what’s followed – the hate, the name-calling, the lies – has gone far beyond accountability.
“I’ve had hundreds of messages and comments from people I’ve never met, many of them cruel and deeply personal.”
Mr Battrick claimed that he had “no intent to interfere with the event or any competitor”.
He added: “To the surfing community: I am sorry. I love this world and the people in it. My actions that day disrupted something I deeply care about, and I regret that more than I can say.”
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Two Jersey surfers who reached the final of a national competition in Scotland were unable to compete after it was postponed while police investigate allegations of abuse from non-competitors towards female semi-finalists. Nathan Elms, who works for Jersey Coastguard, and RNLI lifeguard Owen Graham had both qualified for the men’s open final of the GB…
