California Paddleboarder Headed to Trial After Allegedly Holding Female Surfer Underwater During Violent Ocean Attack
MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA — A California paddleboarder is set to stand trial after prosecutors say he violently attacked a female surfer in the middle of the ocean, grabbing her by the hair, striking her with a paddle, and holding her underwater during a confrontation at Morro Strand State Beach.
Alleged Ocean Attack Leaves Surfer Fearing for Her Life
Authorities say Andrew Gustafson, 60, faces two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, identified as his paddle, including one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury. The charges stem from an incident involving surfer Haylee Red-Van Rooyen.
During a preliminary hearing last week, Red-Van Rooyen testified that she believed she was going to die during the alleged attack.
“I thought I was going to die,” she told the court, recounting how Gustafson allegedly grabbed her hair and forced her underwater.
Conflict Began After Paddleboard Collision
Red-Van Rooyen testified that she was surfing with a group when Gustafson began taking waves directly through the middle of them. She said she was far down the wave line on her longboard when Gustafson allegedly came up behind her, rammed into her board, and knocked her into the water.
She told the court there was “absolutely no reason” for the collision and said the maneuver put her at serious risk of injury.
Verbal Confrontation Escalated Into Physical Violence
After resurfacing, Red-Van Rooyen admitted she confronted Gustafson verbally, questioning his actions and warning him that his behavior was dangerous. Prosecutors said Gustafson responded by escalating the situation.
According to testimony, Gustafson allegedly raised his paddle in a threatening manner before striking Red-Van Rooyen. She said her wetsuit prevented her from suffering cuts, but she remained terrified as Gustafson continued yelling profanities during the confrontation.
Prosecutors Say Paddle Used as Weapon
Authorities allege Gustafson repeatedly struck Red-Van Rooyen with the paddle and held her underwater by her hair. The incident occurred in open water, far from shore, increasing the danger of serious injury or drowning.
Prosecutors emphasized that the paddle constituted a deadly weapon under California law due to the force used and the circumstances of the attack.
Defense Seeks Reduction of Charges
Gustafson’s attorney acknowledged that an altercation occurred but characterized the incident as “a classic story of surfer versus paddleboarder.” The defense asked the court to reduce the felony charges to misdemeanors.
However, a San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge ruled there was sufficient evidence to proceed with felony charges, stating there was cause to believe the crimes described by prosecutors had been committed.
Case Moves Forward Toward Trial
Court records show Gustafson was arrested in August 2025 and initially charged with attempted murder. That charge was later dropped by prosecutors, though the felony assault charges remain.
Gustafson was released on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on March 2 as the case continues toward trial.
As the case unfolds, it raises broader concerns about safety, aggression, and accountability in shared ocean recreation spaces. Readers can follow ongoing updates and share their thoughts on this case at CabarrusWeekly.com.
