Surfing, a sport that made waves after its Olympic debut in Tokyo, has once again grabbed headlines, but this time for all the wrong reasons. In a year where the sport shattered records by being held far from the host city of Paris, an incident outside the water has sparked outrage and fury, casting a shadow over the sport’s rising popularity.

A video went viral within hours, showing two police officers forcibly dragging a surfer to the ground on a beach in Belmar, New Jersey. What began as a tranquil day by the shore quickly turned into chaos, as beachgoers witnessed the shocking arrest unfold before their eyes. Raised voices echoed across the sand, disrupting the peaceful ambiance and leaving onlookers stunned. The cause? A seemingly trivial issue that escalated into a full-blown confrontation.

“Surfer in Belmar, New Jersey Arrested for Not Displaying Beach Badge on Wetsuit,” read a Reddit post that accompanied the now-infamous video. The post sparked a firestorm of reactions online, with netizens furious over the heavy-handed response to what appeared to be a minor infraction. As details emerged, the story took on a life of its own, fueled by the anger of those who felt the situation was mishandled.

Belmar Police Chief Tina Scott, acknowledging the video’s viral status, identified the surfer as 28-year-old Liam Mahoney, who had traveled all the way from California to ride the famous waves of Belmar. But instead of enjoying the surf, Mahoney found himself at the center of a public spectacle, his arrest stemming from a failure to display a beach badge. Yet, the story didn’t end there. According to Chief Scott, Mahoney also faces charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstruction of justice—charges that have only added fuel to the fire.

The backlash has been swift and unforgiving. While the official review of the arrest is pending, with Scott promising a “thorough review of the circumstances,” the public has already made up its mind. Surfing fans and beachgoers alike have voiced their outrage, questioning the necessity and handling of the situation. In a world where justice is often seen through the lens of social media, the court of public opinion has already delivered its verdict.

Surfing enthusiasts including locals commented on the incident

The initial reaction from netizens was one of pure shock. “Wait.. a beach badge? what is that and why did they throw a completely compliant dude to the ground??” Asked one r/surfing community member. While Belmar Police charged him his resisting arrest, the netizen thought Mahoney didn’t do anything in the video to warrant getting tackled.

Another community member agreed that the officers may have used excessive force. “Even if he didn’t have the badge (whatever the f**k that is) could this not be solved with like a warning or a ticket? Seems overkill to arrest the guy,” argued the Reddit user. The surfing man also made it clear that he had no idea what a beach badge was supposed to be.

The official Ocean City New Jersey website describes beach badges or tags as a mandatory requirement. “Beach tags are required in most municipalities along the New Jersey coastline,” states the website. The revenue generated from these tags helps the municipalities maintain the beach and provide lifeguard services. The OCNJ Seasonal Beach Tag costs $35.

Yet despite the rules, even Belmar locals disagreed with how the police handled the case. “Belmar resident. This is disgusting. Even if he didn’t have his badge just give him a fine. No need to manhandle the guy. Makes me feel less comfortable in my own town. I own a badge and there have been plenty of times I forgot it on the beach and then had my partner bring it back up to me. This is wrong. Cops should be fired and he should sue,” commented the local.

Meanwhile, one Redditor hoped the incident would lead to a permanent solution. “Hopefully, this opens some dialogue about the equity of beach badges and a definitive answer of whether or not they apply to surfers. When surfing NJ I’ve never used a badge, sometimes you get a disgruntled look but when on the beach I always buy a badge…” wrote the community member.

Another New Jersey coastline resident backed up this claim of uncertainty surrounding the requirement of the badges. “This is bulls**t. (I) Live in Jersey and most beaches in Monmouth County give surfers a pass if they don’t have a badge,” claimed the netizen. Unfortunately, no further answers from the case will emerge unless the review concludes. What do you make of the incident? let us know in the comments.