Surf Stories: Fraud, Pipeline, and Night Surfing
Grab your post-surf coffee, folks—we’ve got a trio of tales that’ll make you rethink your next session, move, or midnight paddle. From shady dealings at SoCal beaches to Pipeline’s next chapter and the real deal on night surfing, here’s what’s bubbling in our wave-obsessed world.
Fraud Ring Busted in SoCal: Surfers Lose Big
Picture this: you’re dropping into a perfect at San Diego’s Trestles, stashing your keys under the towel, and diving into the lineup. Meanwhile, someone’s watching—then rifling through your ride for your wallet and phone. That’s the reality for dozens of SoCal surfers targeted by a slick fraud ring that bilked folks out of nearly $1 million. As NBC 7 San Diego reports, the crew used stolen IDs to drain bank accounts while victims were catching waves, even approving fraudulent charges by answering calls on pilfered phones. It’s a gut punch for any surfer who’s ever left their car unlocked. The ringleader, Moundir Kamil, faces sentencing after orchestrating the scheme from 2021 to 2022. Lesson learned? Keep your valuables locked tight—your stoke shouldn’t cost your savings.
Jamie O'Brien Steps Away from Pipeline: A Bittersweet Move
Jamie O’Brien’s house overlooking Pipeline isn’t just a property—it’s a shrine. But the North Shore icon and his family are moving, leaving the balcony views he’s cherished for years. The Inertia shares that while they’re not selling the spot (crazy, right?), the move comes with mixed feelings. Jamie grew up steps from the break, built a vlogging empire there, and raised his newborn son in that home. “We like being by the beach,” his wife Tina admits, “but it’s happy and sad.” Speculation swirls around privacy concerns—strangers snapping photos from his yard. Whatever the reason, Jamie’s not leaving surfing, just the front-row seat to the world’s most famous wave. Cue the collective sigh from fans who’ve lived vicariously through his feeds.
The Truth About Night Surfing: Not So Clever After All
We’ve all chased that dream: empty lineups under the stars. But The Inertia’s deep dive reveals why night surfing at premier breaks like California’s Lower Trestles might backfire. Remember the golden era when Lowers was a “zoo” with fiberglass chaos? One surfer recalls wrestling through a lineup to avoid spearing someone mid-ride, then feeling like a “rat fighting over cheese.” Night sessions? They’re magical in spots like Waikiki’s Queens, where street lights create a surreal, speed-enhanced vibe. But at crowded breaks, the dangers multiply—zero visibility means no safety if you wipe out, and sneaky locals might guard their turf extra fiercely. So while the allure of solitude is strong, remember: some waves are better left to the daylight.