Covirus 19 coronavirus: locals and surfers in a heated confrontation on Takapuna beach

A concerned resident and surfer, allegedly ignoring the country’s blocking rules, participated in a heated discussion on Takapuna Beach in Auckland.

A man, who did not want to be named, witnessed the confrontation after taking photos of a group of five surfers in the water at the southern tip of Takapuna Beach earlier today.

It is not the first time that surfers across the country have been in the spotlight; Police have spoken to others in Piha, Muriwai, and Gisborne.

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The photographer, who was also shocked and disappointed to see so many surfers in the water, said he surprised the surfer to “hit the bird” on another upset resident who was allegedly violating the closure.

“I feel awkward about doing this, but it bothers me that people do this kind of thing and it was an awkward time at the beach this morning.”

“I was walking there this morning and I often carry my camera with me because I love taking pictures of the sunrise.”

“I was quite surprised to see five surfers in the water. There were a lot of people in the audience walking around with dogs, etc. They were clearly fed up with them, it was ridiculous.”

The man said he was waiting to get a photo of the silhouette of a surfer coming out of the water when one passed him.

“He walked past me and said” good morning “and got up.

“There was this other guy on the left side and they were chatting with each other for a couple of minutes and he was also warming up a little bit, he was getting a little loud.”

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The longer they chatted, the warmer it became and the more people began to watch.

“The guy was clearly asking ‘what the hell are you doing during the lockdown’ but [the surfer] he clearly didn’t bother about it and then gave him the bird. “

He wasn’t sure exactly what was said, but the surfer was trying to justify being in the water, while the resident “was clearly not happy to explain the closing rules and why you’re so special.”

“The surfer who came out of the water … was more concerned with the dog walkers on the beach who didn’t have their dogs on a leash.”

He said there was also a young man on the beach who was scolded by police yesterday for surfing on the beach.

His parents had forbidden him to sail, so he got out to take a look and also took photos.

“I didn’t think it was a big deal and he talked to the complaining guy and I turned to this little boy and said, ‘Look, I would just keep your mouth shut if I were you.’

He said residents were “just fed up” because they were concerned that the beach would be closed.

“The surf conditions have been a bit of a magnet for surfers [today]. There were some small waves … but it doesn’t entitle them to go there and not follow the rules.

“You could see so many people on the beach walking like, ‘what the hell are they doing, idiots.’

“They stood there incredulous like, ‘why?'”

Last week you saw one or two paddleboarders at the southern end of Takapuna beach because the conditions were “like a pond”, but today was the first time you saw surfers.