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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLunada Bay Boys: California surfers take out class action lawsuit against local gang
* I am curious if I can refer to the Lunada Bay Boys as thugs or does their race or economic status disqualify them? Some people dispute they can even be a gang. Read on...*
Lunada Bay, an out-of-the-way cove on the Palos Verdes peninsula south of Los Angeles, is one of the best big-wave surfing spots in California. In the shelter of its steep, semi-circular cliffs are a pristine beach and the promise of 20-foot winter swells. And, unlike so many other prime breaks on the US west coast, its waves are miraculously uncrowded.
Thats because anyone who wants to surf there must first get past the Lunada Bay Boys, an infamous local surfing clique known routinely to chase off outsiders with threats, harassment and, in some cases, violence. At the top of the dirt path that leads down to the beach, the Bay Boys once posted a sign that warned: Unlocals will be hassled.
snip
Contrary to the image of a typical LA gang, the Bay Boys are largely white and affluent, like their Lunada Bay neighbours. Among the 100 or more members of the group are firemen and school-teachers, said Vic Otten, the lawyer who filed the suit. Whats really shocking, he added, is that in many cases these are men in their 50s and 60s.
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Recently, the California Coastal Commission demanded local officials crack down on the gang for restricting access to what is supposedly a public beach, and urged them to either approve the clubhouse as a public space, or tear it down. The Palos Verdes authorities have been accused of spinelessness and even complicity in their attitude to the Bay Boys.
link:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/lunada-bay-boys-california-surfers-take-out-class-action-lawsuit-against-local-gang-a6966861.html
Yep.. mostly white, male, in their 40's, 50's and 60's. Their apologists claim they can't be gang, the police do nothing because they're not violent enough, the Lunada Bat Boys admit they harass people, included is at least one documented case of sexual harassment (in the story) and they harass children (a 10 year old boy)
Would be curious how faux spews, cnn and the rest of them would classify these overaged, alcoholic, miscreants?
hopemountain
(3,919 posts)there is a very real abuse of coastal access rights for all citizens up and down the coast. i hope a ruling in favor of the public and surfers against the 'lundada bay boys' sets a precedence for open beach access. at this time citizens are blocked from countless traditional beach access by privates security, locked gates, and other illegal means - bullies included.
rpannier
(24,329 posts)I lived several blocks from the beach
We went there a lot and never had any issues
The self-important, immature, I own everything of some people is just exasperating and disgusting
I hope they win the lawsuit as well
I also hope the courts slam the local police force for not doing their job
And the local gov't gets slammed equally hard for violating an order from the California Coastal Commission
People may argue that it's not fair to the community, but it seems like the community is just ignoring it
I'd be curious as to what the local police chief thinks is 'violent enough' behavior to warrant him doing his job
Hoppy
(3,595 posts)there are probably LEO that surf there too, and want to keep it closed. otherwise, i don't see how a bunch of jerks can keep doing this for so long without being censored.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)These sort of behavior and violence has been going on for a long time along the California shoreline. At least 40 years...these 60-year-olds were probably goons in their teens also.
rpannier
(24,329 posts)In the article on person describes having been harassed by surfers in the late 60's
I still think a lot of it has to do with their race and economics.
They're white and have probably always been solid middle class or higher on the socioeconomic scale, so they have influence and contacts
The story states that some members of the Lunada Boys are firemen and teachers. I would not be surprised if there are a few police officers, doctors and maybe a lawyer or two in their little club
TeamPooka
(24,221 posts)denbot
(9,899 posts)The wave there is one of the best in So Cal, and the locals are free to hassle anyone they want without worrying that the sheriffs will put them in check. I can handle the threat, or even actual physical violence, as I can give as well as I get.
I don't surf there because there because it is more likely my vehicle would be heavily vandalized while I'm down the cliffs and in the water. I like my little surf buggy too much to see her abused by a bunch of local dipshits.
This is my baby just north of Palos Verde (Lunada Bay is located there), in her home away from home, a stretch of beach known as El Porto, my local surf break.
[IMG][/IMG]
Avalon Sparks
(2,565 posts)Love it!
denbot
(9,899 posts)tenderfoot
(8,426 posts)though a friend spotted a great white there last year. I enjoy "Kooks Cove" aka Sunset Beach as well.
denbot
(9,899 posts)It is not unusual to see 7-8 footers swimming around. I've had a close encounter (non aggressive) with a 9'+ plus there a couple of years ago..
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018627776
Desert805
(392 posts)That graphic is awesome!
denbot
(9,899 posts)It's actually a Vanagon Syncro, the all wheel/4x4 version.
rpannier
(24,329 posts)Love the simplicity in color
What year is it?
denbot
(9,899 posts)Iggo
(47,549 posts)raccoon
(31,110 posts)HuckleB
(35,773 posts)pnwmom
(108,976 posts)Throckmorton
(3,579 posts)Who knew they were real?