Black surfer Andrew Sherlock Mills says his board was stolen and nailed to Florida tree in racist act
Black surfer Andrew Sherlock Mills says his board was stolen and nailed to a tree in Florida in a racist act
- The black surfer’s board was stolen after a collision with surfers on Jupiter’s beach
- They claim he broke “surfing etiquette.”
- Black surfer group calls the incident a ‘symbolic lynching’
A black surfer found his board nailed high to a tree “like a lynching” after an angry altercation with others in the waters off a Florida beach.
Andrew Sherlock Mills said he was attacked and told he was ‘unwelcome’ during the collision on a Jupiter beach, only to find his board gone when he left the water.
Finally, he found it nailed to a palm tree about ten feet off the ground, in an eerie echo of nooses hung to symbolize hatred.
“This is how real the racism and hate are in Jupiter, Florida,” he told Instagram account.black.surfers.‘
“They can’t stand to see a black man in their waters. I was told I am not welcome. I stole my board when I turned around and they did this. He said it was a message.
Mills found his stolen plank nailed to a palm tree in a lot behind Jupiter Beach
The surfer said he was “physically pushed into the water” during an encounter and told “you’re not welcome here”
Mills was accused of breaking surfers’ “etiquette” while in the water
“They nailed him to the tree like a lynching,” he added.
The Instagram group sparked a furious debate about racism in surfing when they reported his comments, including comments from some accusing Mills of not surfing properly.
“It has nothing to do with your race, but rather your etiquette,” someone told him.
“It seems you still don’t understand that. Nobody’s after you, man. None of us are racist.’
Mills said claims of surf etiquette violations were simply a cover for racism.
“This happened after I was physically pushed into the water by two guys who grabbed my board and a third guy yelled, get off our beach, you’re not welcome here, and the rest,” he replied.
The three miles of sand north of West Palm Beach is a popular surfer’s draw, and celebrities including golfer Greg Norman and tennis star Venus Williams have made their homes nearby.
It was also the scene of a spectacular boat parade by Donald Trump supporters in 2021.
Mills said he didn’t call the police, but “took down the sign, stayed and surfed all day with a little sign to show his face.”
“A few locals who were there apologized and agreed it was wrong,” he added.
Jupiter police said it is investigating after the incident was discovered on social media.
Mills needed a ladder to get his plank out of the tree
The veteran surfer said he returned to the water determined not to be deterred
The black surfers group said the attack was an example of “white supremacy” and described Mills as a “black surfer, father and husband, who was subjected to racially motivated vandalism and a token lynching of his board.”
“There is no place for racism or hatred in surfing. None,’ they added.
“If you see something, say something. Hold people accountable. What is done in the dark must be brought to light.’
Dailymail.com has contacted Mills about the incident.