Surf etiquette dispute turns violent at Santa Cruz beach

SANTA CRUZ — A local surfer was arrested near one of the region’s most popular surf breaks after allegedly assaulting a fellow wave rider late last month using a small keychain weapon.

According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 10 a.m. April 27 to an area near the Hook’s parking lot off of East Cliff Drive after receiving reports of a stabbing. Interviews with numerous bystanders revealed that two men approached another man in a confrontation about surf etiquette.

A spokesperson for the law enforcement agency told the Sentinel that after a brief verbal back and forth, a man later identified as 58-year-old Shannon Stanger allegedly struck the victim with an object determined to be a kubotan. Kubotans are often the size and shape of a pen, but are equipped with a sharp tip in place of a ball point. They typically double as both a self-defense weapon and keychain.

There were no significant injuries reported after the incident and while the victim did not immediately go to the hospital, he did seek medical treatment later on, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The deputies quickly located Stanger near Larch Lane, running parallel to the Hook’s parking lot, and booked him on a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon. He was released on bail and a preliminary hearing has been set for May 29.

According to the Santa Cruz County Superior Court website, Stanger has a history of domestic violence restraining orders that were filed against him in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Each was eventually vacated.