“This has been one of the most difficult and traumatic periods of my life.”
It’s pretty wild how quick a lawyer threatening a lawsuit can bring a person, company, whatever, to heel. And Ian Battrick, the noted Jersey surfer who was accused of being part of a gang of men hassling the hell out of gals at a British surf contest forcing the event to be postponed, has clearly had to bring out the guns.
You’ll remember when Carve magazine wrote,
“One of the surfers named as Ian Battrick, a Jersey resident who visits the area, also ran over a 15-year-old girl mid heat, landing on top of her and pinning her to the reef. The young surfer was unable to reach the surface and was highly traumatised.”
The pile-on was almost universal although, again one hopes your memory serves, I wrote:
My own impression of Ian Battrick, formed many years ago when I lived in Hossegor, was of a nice, if isolated, sorta guy, who ripped in the sort of cold water your ol pal DR would shriek when entering and butcher every damn takeoff at La Piste and La Grave etc.
Ian Battrick subsequently made a comprehensive rebuttal to the accusations on his lightly followed Instagram account. The damage was done, howevs.
Anyway, over at the Luna Surf website, the company Ian Battrick owns, there’s an apology from the Channel Islands Surfing Federation along with a detailed summary of it all.
Ian Battrick, co‑founder of surf brand Lunasurf, has welcomed a public apology issued in relation to false and defamatory allegations made about him following the GB Surfing Finals in Thurso, Scotland.
The apology acknowledges that statements made about Ian Battrick — including claims that he had verbally abused female competitors, threatened a cameraman, and held a female surfer underwater during the competition — were untrue and should never have been published. These allegations were disseminated via an official Channel Islands Surfing Federation (CISF) social media account and were subsequently repeated and amplified across global media and social platforms.
Despite the seriousness of the claims, no footage of any such incident has ever emerged, despite two live streams running at the time and around 300 people watching from the shore. Ian Battrick has not been charged with any offence arising from the event. Police Scotland obtained body‑worn camera footage of the confrontation that followed, as well as evidence of vandalism to vehicles at the venue.
“This has been one of the most difficult and traumatic periods of my life,” said Ian Battrick.
“To be falsely portrayed worldwide as someone who would abuse or harm fellow surfers was devastating — not just for me, but for my family, friends, and everyone connected with Lunasurf. We have spent years building our reputation on respect, fairness, and love for the ocean. Watching that reputation torn apart in a matter of hours by lies and speculation was indescribably painful.
“I am relieved that the truth is finally being recognised and that my name is being cleared. But the damage done — to my mental health and to my business — will take a long time to repair. I hope what happened to me makes people stop and think before they join an online pile‑on, or publish accusations without a single piece of evidence.”
From False Claim to Global “Digital Mob”
Shortly after an incident of disorder on the beach involving over 30 people — during which Ian Battrick was surrounded, verbally abused, filmed by multiple individuals and repeatedly pushed by members/competitors of the GB Surf Contest. As yet, there has been no action taken against these individuals by GB Surfing, or their respective teams, who were clearly in breach of GB Surfings code of conduct as well as possibly their own sponsors. Then a post was published on an official CISF channel, falsely accusing him of serious misconduct during the event.
Within approximately 30 minutes, the post had been shared widely and began to spread across multiple platforms. In the following weeks, the story was picked up and repeated internationally, with activity reported across Europe, Australia, North America, Africa and Asia. Across articles, reposts, comments, “likes”, “dislikes” and other interactions, online engagement relating to the false allegations exceeded millions of actions in less than three weeks.
Ian Battrick was subjected to a wave of online hate, bullying and harassment, including abusive messages and threats. Some media outlets, including major broadcasters, repeated the allegations without first obtaining evidence or a response from Mr Battrick.
Police Involvement and Written Apology
Police were called to the scene on the day of the incident and intervened to remove Mr Battrick from what officers described as a hostile crowd. The subsequent police investigation did not result in any charges against Mr Battrick.
Following enquiries and further information provided to the authorities, the individual responsible for posting the original false statements on behalf of the CISF has now accepted that:
– The allegations made against Mr Battrick were false;
Mr Battrick did not interfere with the contest;
he did not verbally or physically abuse anyone; and
the “underwater” claim was fabricated.
– A formal apology has been issued acknowledging that the posts and statements were defamatory, slanderous and should not have been made.
– The incident also led to the vandalism of two vehicles at the event, as well as disorder on the beach, all of which are matters of record with Police Scotland. The vandalism was done by competing surfers and has several witnesses to the crime. As yet, GB surf has not taken any action against these individuals which is against their code of conduct.
“This Could Happen to Anyone”
Ian Battrick emphasises that the story is now bigger than his own individual case:
“There are police records, witnesses and admissions that show what really happened that day. Yet for millions of people who only saw the first wave of reports, I will be remembered as the person those posts described — even though it was all untrue.
“This could happen to anyone. One false claim, posted from an ‘official’ account, can ignite a digital mob in minutes. Once that fire is lit, it spreads faster than any correction or apology ever can. We need surfing organisations, governing bodies, brands and media outlets to understand the power and responsibility that comes with their platforms and ‘brand ambassadors’.”
Call for Reform and Responsible Communication
Ian Battrick is calling for:
– Full internal review within the Channel Islands Surfing Federation to establish how an individual was able to publish serious, unverified allegations from an official account without checks, oversight or due process.
– Clear social media and communications policies for federations, teams and event organisers, to prevent unsubstantiated claims being broadcast as fact. Accountability for their members, athletes and ambassadors actions.
– Greater responsibility from media outlets to verify information and seek comment from those accused before publishing reputationally damaging material.
– Stronger awareness within the surfing community of the harm caused by online bullying, harassment and pile‑ons based on incomplete or false narratives.
Understanding the Impact of False Allegations on Individuals Like Ian Battrick
Ian Battrick believes the apology is an important step towards restoring his reputation, but stresses that significant damage has already been done to him personally and professionally, including to his company Lunasurf.
“I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to look at the facts, to the people who reached out privately with support when it felt like the whole world was against me, and to those within the authorities who took the truth seriously.
“My hope now is that what happened in Thurso becomes a turning point. If this experience leads to better safeguards, more responsible reporting, and fewer innocent people being torn apart online, then something positive can still come from an incredibly dark time.”
Guilty until proven innocent c*nts..
No, I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are.
Well it was worth a try.
Well if you are going to remain totally anomymous and won’t even divulge your reasons for defending him on here then I don’t see you changing too many minds.
Good luck.
Thanks, just sticking up for someone who has copped a lot of shit for doing not much more than paddling out during a surf contest. Some would say he’s copped shit justifiably. They’re entitled to their opinion, but many were given false information and that opinion’s not shared by everyone.
You don’t seem to have sympathy nor have mentioned the two lads from Ian’s hometown. They had paddled out ready to surf the final in some not bad Thurso, only for it to be cancelled because of Ian getting tangled up with the competitor in the previous heat. Good chance they’ll have to resurf that final in sub-par conditions elsewhere because of Ian (and his soft top riding/ South African blow in cronies). But poor Ian, I keep forgetting.
Do have sympathy for all the competitors who missed out on the event finals in good waves due to postponement. Can’t help but think that this was down to bad organisation too. Would argue that it didn’t need to be.
It’s surfing, not an indoor squash court. Wind, tides, swell etc but you know this.
Exactly. Indoor squash courts don’t move. Surf contests generally have a back up venue, one for when it’s too small at main spot & another if it’s stormy/too big. Have done for years in Scotland.
I’m out of this conversation with you Jon. Your nose is so far up Ian’s arse you’re just repeating his words. If by any chance you’re not a Jon and are in fact someone closer to all this feel free to email me while the next round of this story is in production. [email protected]
Thanks for the offer but have no interest in dragging this story out any further either. Shouldn’t even have become a story in the first place and wouldn’t have been without false allegations. Thanks for the assumption coupled with the insult too, in line with the overall online hate campaign that was created.
Where are the apologies from surfyogijacobs and friends? Amazing how he got the reel up so fast – naming Batrick. all the way from Sri Lanka but now he doesn’t seem to be so active all of a sudden
The funniest thing to me about this episode was DLS and Chas in the Grit agreeing with each other that Ian Battrick was from New Jersey.
What a pussy.
Pretty much sums up the stupidity of competitive surfers and surfing contests in general.
Sounds like they all deserved it. Kids, chick’s and Batty.
Fkn comp crew are twits, sounds like Batty is also.
I love how “Jon” is never on here to about other surf adjacent topics but as soon as theres an article on The Haggis Boys he’s straight into it. Even claims to not be a Pommy but seems to know an awful lot about the surf scene over there and Thurso in general. Give it up Batty ya cunt we’re not all retarded on here, thats just the MAGA soft cocks
Haha very funny. Never on here about surf adjacent topics? Commented on one of your posts a few days ago as it turns out and actually agreed with you. Commented on plenty of other topics but who cares, really? Non indigenous Australians with Anglicised names are pommies themselves by defintion. For the record I’m not Ian Battrick. Just cos I defend him doesn’t mean I am him.
But clearly you have a vested interest in homie to the point of around 20 posts defending him.
My guess is it’s a business one.
Really curious is his sponsored embassadors aren’t speaking up, and even more curious that he wouldn’t be on here speaking up for himself.
People stretching the truth or lying outright to socially shame people who were pricks at the time or in the past is a thing, and probably applicable here, but clearly shit happened.
Anyway all good carry on.
Can keep guessing if you really want but it’s not a business interest either. What does it matter? His sponsored ambassadors are spseaking up (NOT under the name Jon in BG comments!) – depends where you look.
Maybe he should do an interview with BG but what would that change? He issued his stetements and the criticism continued so what’s the point?
Dead right that, even if someone did something that was wrong in principle, people stretching rhe truth or lying outright is a thing.
Yeah well instead of guessing I’ll just ask what relations you have with him and why this matters so much to you.
It doesn’t really matter to me, it’s more of a curiousity thing at this point as I have never seen someone defend someone else so vigorously here on BG.
And yeah I want Ian’s side of the story along with Chazz’s and even the girl who got tangled up.
After all it’s either that or another beaten dead horse sharticle about the latest exploits of random celebrities at Kelly’s pool….
Hell Ian might even sell a wetsuit or two.
Sorry but have nothing to say on here with regards to that. You can post your name and address here and I’ll come round and discuss it over a few beers whenever I’m round your way if you like.
Kind of fascinated that this issue would draw so much interest. The German universities event in Hossegor disrupted by non competitors didn’t get the reaction this has.
If you cant fathom the difference between The German uni incident vs the Thurso one you’re a lost cause.
Ok, let’s see, so the Germans had permission to run an event from the authorities in Hossegor. Some guys who were most likely not true locals took a dislike to the event being run. One of them dropped in on a girl and was filmed trying to push her off. Nothing else was said about him.
British surfing had permission to run an event at Thurso. Some guys who surf there a lot and were mostly (all? I dunno) not true locals took a dislike to the event being run, or running over the time where they had previously said non competitors could paddle out.
One of them was filmed dropping in a competitor. Nothing much was said about him in surf media after. Another who was known by the surf media took off on a wave on his own, fell on a girl who got caught inside. And was subsequently falsely accused of physically abusing her, by pushing her undewater. Think that’s the difference.
The Girl dropped in on the dude. But regardless, zero entries from or for locals, 100% out of town contest. The only ones supporting the contest were local businesses.
Thurso on the other hand had local surfers and families involved and onboard with the event.
Regardless, he tried to push her, physically, obviously. The only ones supporting the contest were local businesses? So surf schools for example (as there were hundreds of Germans there, not just competitors) Surf schools run by locals.
From GB surfing website: Organisers will make adjustments accordingly, while also ensuring there is time for freesurfing within the event window. So yes, everyone was on board.
At a guess he isn’t a brand ambassador for a surf company that has run and supported surf contests and should know better? Ian isn’t a free surfer and he most definitely should be taking a back seat on local issues especially in the middle of a contest.
Hahaha onyas Jon. Did ya watch the ashes yesty? Get a bit of Travis head up ya cunt haha
Nope but good on the Aussies for thrashing them!
Off shore tax havens and it’s residents can buy any outcome they desire. Guilty can become not guilty in an instant.
The original accusation came from someone in an offshore tax haven too, so it’s a moot point.
Whoever these people are they can been brought to book. My judgement is line up all these fuckwits at 30 foot Teahupoo and see who survives. And thus be exonerated if they come on through in one piece.
I used AI to find out “shit stains” are two separate words.
Because they weren’t wrong.
Did he specifically push someone underwater? Who knows, who cares.
He knows who he is. That group who paddled out know exactly who they are. This is hardly an isolated incident, but just the most high profile.
The only unfairness – if there was any at all, which I’d refute – was that Battrick took all the flack and the others got off lightly.
But it wouldn’t have been much of a story without the ‘he pushed a girl underwater” line. Who would’ve cared if it had just been “group of non competing surfers paddle out during women’s semis”? Happened already at Thuso for a pro/am comp years previously and f-all was said, or f-all online annway.
Still wrong to do.
It might be the only decent day in a month, but you don’t paddle out into a heat.
There are caveats, but in this instance clearly (as per the results) those did not apply.
Lots of other places you and yer wee pals could’ve gone for a wave instead being a fanny about your perceived territory.
No you don’t paddle out in a heat, true. But it does happen. It’s already happened at Thurso in the past. Remember seeing the same thing happen at Margarets many years ago. There are caveats and there were also false accusations, which were key to this whole situation becoming what it did.
For the record, once again, just because there are posts on here defending Ian Battrick, it does not mean they’re written by him.
Yet again, surfing while a contest is on is one thing and it happens but getting tangled up with competitors is another.
And, yet again, it was wrong to paddle out and there was obviously a possibility that two surfers in the water might get tangled up (can happen in any session), but there was no intentional ‘pushing a girl underwater’.
Never said there was, never believed that in the first place, nor do I care what was said on Tik Tok. This wasn’t any session either was it. It was in the middle of the semi finals and that incident was a major factor in the contest being called off. This is fact and one that I don’t see Ian mentioning, just victimhood crying and killing any comments that aint 100% in support of him. Hardly the actions of a man seeking the truth.
Maybe some didn’t believe it but plenty others did. And once again, that was the reason this whole thing blew up. Agree that he should not have paddled out. He did mention it. He said he regretted it. It is also the truth that he’s a victim of a false accusation.
Shitty actions = consequences. Don’t cry wolf if the reaction is one that is unjust or wrong or false. If Ian had acted honorably and with respect, especially as someone representing a surf brand that has been involved in the competition scene he interfered with, he would’ve had zero kick back. Tears of the clown
Stating a fact (that there was no violence committed by him against a girl) isn’t crying wolf. True, shitty actions = consequences. Shitty actions + lies = worse consequences.
Key take away. No shitty actions = zero consequences. Win win for humanity (and Ian)
Key take away 2: No shitty online hate = win win for humanity
I’m not reading all that. Did they apologize because he threatened to sue or did someone really make all that shit up?
He paddled out during the women*s heat, true. The rest of the accusations directed at him were false.
*and got tangled up with a competitor in the middle of her heat.
Pulled into a closeout which the girl was caught inside of and yep, got tangled up undewater. Bit different to “He deliberately pushed/held a gitrl underwater”, or words to that effect.
I like how you just skim over the tangled up part of the story and go straight to the victimhood part Ian. It’s quite telling.
But congrats on getting your name cleared of the attempted drowning, always thought that was a stretch.
Not saying he’s a victim in the original incident. He shouldn’t have paddled out. Not sure if that’s convincing enough to make some on here realise that this isn’t Ian Battrick posting but anyway, they’ll believe what suits them, clearly.
The ‘tangled up’ part as opposed to ‘he deliberately pushed a girl underwater” was key to the whole thing becoming an issue in the first place.
That difference is the issue for you.
Most others the issue is that the contest got called off because of you and your buddies actions.
Because of me? Some feat given I was thousands of miles away. And no that isn’t the issue for “most others”. That’s the issue for those that were directly involved in the contest.
“Most others” read false accusationns that were printed by the media. If the whole thing hadn’t been falsely reported, “most others” wouldn’t have cared; only those involved in the contest.
Speaking of false reporting. Old mate Ian doing that himself now I see and also controlling the narrative to a rather all hail poor Ian angle.
Not read anything false in what he’s said since. Otherwise the original posters of the accusations would either have countered, or just ignored him.
https://uploads.disquscdn.c… Harping on about brand ambassadors, power and responsibilites. But paddles out in middle of contest.
“Power and responsibility comes with their platforms” (in regard to spreading false allegations). Without which this whole saga would’ve most likely just remained an issue between those that were there and not spread all over the internet.
Responsibility: “I can accept being called out for any mistake I have personally made. I deserve that. But what’s followed — the hate, the name-calling, the lies — has gone far beyond accountability”. This is the issue. As said before, nobody outside the contest – and certainly not around the world – would’ve cared if he’d just paddled out.
Anyway, thanks for stirring me up on this. We’ve cleared up Ian’s name and heard all about his side of the story. But now it’s time for the others involved to have their say.
I really had buried all this in the don’t care folder in the back of my head but you’ve got me thinking again, so been googling, exchanging emails and talking to those at the back end here at BG. Found an effected team member needing a re-surf still and a Mum of a semi finalist willing to talk. Working on some Jersey connections as we speak.
Wouldn’t have thought it was THAT important to keep dragging this story on. Wouldn’t have thought that surfers across the planet really cared about a few guys and one guy in particular paddling out during a contest in Scotland. The online hate campaign was the far more important issue. Online hate has far reaching consequences, far greater than the postponement of a surfing contest.
https://uploads.disquscdn.c… Stated false allegation. “Mr Battrick did not interfere with the Contest”. Ummmm colliding with a competitor. Its comical!
There’s a semi colon after the word contest; it’s an incomplete sentence. Something important written after it too.
Cheers. We’ve all heard what Ian has to say after and before the use of any semicolons. Is a tad funny though, you pulling me up on the use of semicolons and spelling it as two words. Maybe use AI like Ian did to write?
Semi-colon can have a dash. Sorry I forgot that important distinction. Point was the phrase wasn’t complete. Not certain the man in question used AI to write his statement. Might have been written by someone giving legal advice.
Anyway, sure there are more important things to discuss on BG. 150 odd comments on this (granted, many by yours truly) and 19 on the shark debate following Mercury Psillakis’ death. Pretty clear which one deserves more attention.
Then he’s still a massive piece of shit.
dude is still an a-hole for paddling out during a heat
Why?
If anything the assholes are the ones who decided to privatize the spot for a bunch of wannabe future Kelly Slaters.
I’m guessing the comp was supposed to finish, at which time the wave was supposed to be up for grabs, but the event ran over, daylight was fading, so people decided to paddle out.
Not really justification to ruin someone’s livelihood.
If anything it’s surfers being surfers doing the kind of stuff surfers used to do.
The whole thing seemed like bullshit from the start, considering the type of people involved in the online pile-on and the lack of any charges being brought.
Can’t imagine the amount of crap he’s personally had to deal with, not to mention the damage to his reputation and business – all because of a lie that he attempted to drown a female child.
And he’ll now always be falsely remembered in the surf world (and maybe even outside it) as “that guy in Scotland who tried to drown a girl.”
As with most of these scenarios, the caliber of people throwing stones and their eagerness to do so seems indicative of the amount of truth, or lack thereof.
Hope the best for him and his business, his YouTube channel with the POV tube rides in Scotland really made it feel a bit like you were there – no dumb self aggrandizement or narration, just pure hardcore surfing.
IMO we need more people like him in surfing and far less of the kooks with pitchforks who decided to destroy a guy’s reputation for a 3 second instagram dopamine hit.
he’s a you-tuber?
Not really, but occasionally posts clips like this to his company account
https://youtu.be/7iMySzTswAQ?si=-8EGIUucojV7HgFn https://youtu.be/-B2hakZDLCo?si=6tPN-TqFA3NRgbJc
Yeah. No irony in the fact he’s spruiking Thurso with a GoPro shoved down his throat for the whole world to see, yet protesting a contest at a place he isn’t local?
Can someone just post the full live feed?
This isn’t that difficult. GB surfing removing it seems very weird.
These damned hypersensitive millennials and their social media angst – oh wait, it’s a middle-aged feral introvert.
Truth Social much?
Not THOSE lies.
Hear that? Thurso will soon be a turning point only… no more tube riding! Top turns and cutbacks only! Zero exceptions.
Have we answered why this guy and mates were taking off on waves while contest was still going on?
usually avoid contest sites at all costs but one time foolishly paddled out down the beach from the jetty in VB where they were holding one of the random summer contests, just wanted to catch a couple off a decent sandbar somewhere between the pier and 1st street — accidentally strayed a little too close to the contest buoy and thought the organizers were going to shoot me, not even close to a contestant but would have thought I assaulted their family members. Fun times, ha ha !!!
ESA’s contests may soon be in the pool. And if so one day you will be able to tell your grand kids how much a rebel Rocks Local was back in the day 😉 “Grandpappy Locals, no one likes sand in their wax.” … Your reply “Ahh little Rocks having rash nipples is half the fun. I promise I’ll sneak you out in that salty ocean one day.”
ha ha, absolutely!!
that’s the easiest bit to understand
Nothing says I’m Innocent like an AI blog post.
Howevs, at some point, when I manage to raise my head from my own flaming pit of personal and professional catastrophe, I do want to tell the true story of this and the wider one.
Yes Chaz this I do very much want to hear cunt, all seems very strange to me ay
Sounds like you need to write a book about writing a book?
That’s what writery friends keep telling me.
Not especially helpful in completing the contracted book…
Out of Sheer Rage a must-read.
Geoff Dyer ?
True story: Douglas Coupland (Generation X, Life After God, Microserfs, etc) once told me that his writing process was to keep a bunch of random little notes to himself (in one of those mini notebooks or sticky notes) throughout the year on things he saw, heard, etc, etc. And then when he went to write, he would spread the notes out all over a table, scores of them. And basically he would just work them all into a book, or at least most of them.
I’m sure this it totally useless and unhelpful to your situation, but it’s the only writers process story I’ve got lol
Love it!
Generation X was a good read..
so good
Yeah, I liked.
I used to write my uni essays this way. Wrote notes, then would cut them up and reaarange them on the tile bathroom floor. Two key takeaways – it was amazing just how many pubic hairs end up on the floor of a bathroom used by two late teens and, also – despite re-typing it all in, my lecturer wrote – next to my grade – “The collage technique of writing essays is not recommended.”
The truth is that he didn’t push a girl underwater and he didn’t abuse the girls either. This is pretty much the reason why this story – and it was a story – gained the attention it did. Other than this, not sure what “true” story and wider one there is to tell?
I would guess, “Jon”, that you know as well as I do the character of everyone who paddled out.
Nope. Just know that others (Not BG) printing false accusations about people in order to sell stories, get likes etc doesn’t do much for the moral high ground.
Wow.
I hate surfing.
Maybe I should purchase the ensemble😄
Buy the pack and save! One fifty Australian shekels for a three-piece outfit. https://www.thecriticalslidesociety.com/collections/beachgrit-i-hate-surfing?_kx=LXcDVrImdzG-tOb9QGWsp2a2bkkh7WojRU2v_couSxU.WC7vcz