Surfers Paddled Out in Lunada Bay on MLK Day to Celebrate Unity, End of Lunada Bay Boys Harassment

PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CA - A small group of surfers and residents gathered in Palos Verdes Estates on Monday and paddled into the ocean water of Lunada Bay as a symbol of community in opposition to territorial surfers who have been accused of terrorizing "outsiders" to keep them away from the scenic spot.

The gathering was organized in part by surfer and actor Christopher Taloa, who said he had a run-in with the so-called Lunada Bay Boys several years ago and wanted to send a message that the ocean is open to all.

"The people that were ill-behaving out here, they don't have that power anymore," Taloa told KCAL9.

The alleged actions of the Bay Boys have led to federal lawsuits accusing the group of essentially acting like a street gang. A stone fort allegedly used by the group was dismantled last year.

Taloa said he was subject to the intimidation himself three years ago, with territorial surfers harassing him from the moment he parked his car and becoming increasingly violent as he tried to reach the water. He told Channel 9 that another time, he caught a member "trying to stab me under the water by dipping his knee board under water and shoving the fins back toward my face."

Monday's demonstration, carried out under the watchful eye of some Palos Verdes Estates police officers, was billed as an effort to ensure that people can visit Lunada Bay without fear of violence.

Some residents, however, have questioned the veracity of many stories about the alleged Bay Boys, saying the rumors are overblown.

"My grandson lives in Redondo. He comes here and surfs and he's never been bothered by any of the people down there," one woman told KCAL9. "We picnic along the bluff here at least once a week. We've never seen any problems."

-- City News Service, photo via Pixabay