Torrance Plans No Charges in Surf Fight Over Turf

The Torrance city prosecutor said Friday that he has decided not to file criminal charges against either a 72-year-old bodysurfer or a 20-year-old surfboarder who recently duked it out in the surf over turf.

Herman Herzbrun, the prosecutor, said he will not enter charges against bodysurfer Phil Mehan or surfer Jay Findley because there were no independent witnesses to their June 20 fight in the water at Torrance Beach.

The fight spotlighted a conflict little known beyond the sands--the ongoing turf squabble between swimmers and surfers, a recurring problem for lifeguards that is caused by too many people congregating in a small stretch of water, particularly at or near the same surf spot, or “break.”

“The technical reason for [not filing] is there simply is not enough evidence to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that one or the other is guilty of any offense,” Herzbrun said.

He added: “Besides, it would be heating up something that’s better off cooling down.”

Mehan and Findley fought in the water after a series of confrontations that began with the younger man surfing into a designated swimming zone late in the afternoon June 20, Torrance police said.

For safety reasons, lifeguards frequently establish such zones to separate surfers from swimmers. Surfers obviously travel much faster on their boards than swimmers can swim. A board, if not properly controlled, can spear or slash an unwary swimmer.

Zones where surfing is prohibited are marked by red flags planted ashore, typically about 150 feet apart.

Mehan alleged that Findley leaped at him, then held his head underwater for 30 to 45 seconds and tried to kill him. Findley told police he had no intention of harming the older man--who, he alleges, hit him first, with a left jab to the mouth.

“I’m glad it’s over with,” Findley said Friday. Mehan could not be reached for comment.