Black surfer Andrew Sherlock Mills says his board was stolen and nailed to Florida tree in racist act

  • The black surfer had his board stolen after clashing with surfers on Jupiter beach
  • They claim he breached surfing 'etiquette' 
  • Black surfers group calls the incident a 'symbolic lynching' 

By DOMINIC YEATMAN, REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

A black surfer found his board nailed high on a tree ‘like a lynching’, after an angry exchange with others in the waters off a Florida beach.

Andrew Sherlock Mills said he was assaulted and told he was ‘not welcome’ during the clash on a Jupiter beach, and found his board gone when he left the water.

He eventually discovered it nailed to a palm tree, roughly 10 feet off the ground in a grisly echo of nooses hung to symbolize hate.

‘This is how real the racism and hate is 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'm not welcome. Stole my board when I turned my back and they did this. Said it was a message.

Mills found his stolen board nailed to a palm tree in a lot behind Jupiter beach

Mills found his stolen board nailed to a palm tree in a lot behind Jupiter beach

The surfer said he was 'physically pushed around in the water' during a confrontation and told 'you're not welcome here'

The surfer said he was 'physically pushed around in the water' during a confrontation and told 'you're not welcome here' 

Mills was accused of breaking surfers' 'etiquette' while in the water

Mills was accused of breaking surfers' 'etiquette' while in the water 

‘They nailed it to the tree like a lynching,’ he added.

The Instagram group ignited a furious debate about racism in surfing when they reported his remarks, including responses from some who accused Mills of not surfing properly.

‘It has nothing to do with your race rather it has to do with your etiquette,’ one told him.

‘You obviously seem to not understand that still. No one is after you man. None of us are racist.’

Mills said claims about breaches of surfing etiquette were simply cover for racism.

‘This happened after I was physically pushed around in the water by two dudes grabbing my board and a third guy screaming get off our beach, you’re not welcome here, and the rest of it,’ he responded.

The three miles of sand north of West Palm Beach are a popular draw for surfers, 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 did not call the police, but ‘took the board down, stayed and surfed the whole day with a small board to show face.’

‘A few locals that were there were apologizing and agreed it was wrong,’ he added.

The Jupiter Police Department said it is investigating after discovering the incident on social media.

Mills needed a ladder to retrieve his board from the tree

Mills needed a ladder to retrieve his board from the tree  

The veteran surfer said he returned to the water and is determined not to be deterred

The veteran surfer said he returned to the water and is 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 symbolic 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 to account. What's done in the dark must be brought to the light.’

Dailymail.com has reached out to Mills about the incident. 

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