Australian Surfer Details Alleged Death Threats and Assault in Indonesia

Professional surfer Lennix Smith, 21, has shared footage and an account of an alleged violent confrontation in Indonesian waters, during which he claims a rival threatened to kill him and smash his knee. The incident reportedly occurred at Scar Reef in Sumbawa, an island east of Bali.

Smith, who is sponsored by Billabong, stated that the other surfer dropped in on him, a violation of surfing etiquette where a rider catches a wave already being ridden or with right-of-way. According to Smith's account on social media, the rival then paddled up to him, grabbed his board, kicked it out from under him, and began shouting threats.

"I will fing kill you. I will kill you. You just fed up big time," Smith claims the man yelled at him. He also reported that the surfer repeatedly challenged him to fight and threatened, "I will smash your knee."

Smith, from Shellharbour on the New South Wales south coast, said he attempted to de-escalate the situation by telling the man to calm down. The rival then accused Smith of "snaking," a term for maneuvering to take priority on a wave.

"For about ten minutes straight, he continuously told me that he was gonna kill me, smash my knee, and ruin my surf career, and that he doesn't give a fuck," Smith recounted.

In his social media post, Smith used the incident to criticize a broader attitude he perceives among some expatriates in Indonesia. "I just find it honestly crazy that these guys come over here for five minutes and think that they're locals and start carrying on," he said. "They just don't realise, like, they're the ones that are ruining it for everyone. Like, they come out with this crazy ego, worst vibe ever."

Smith believes these individuals create an aggressive atmosphere that detracts from the sport's enjoyment. "They kill the vibe so hard, and surfing is meant to be fun. And these guys are so aggressive, and they don't even realise it," he stated. "There’s too many of these guys who come over to the Indonesia and think that just because they have lived here for 5 minutes means that they are entitled too act the way they do, and they don’t even realise that people like themselves ruin surfing for everyone."

Smith's account received support from fellow surfer Shane Dorian, who commented that living in a location does not confer local status. "There are Indonesians and then there are foreigners, there is no in between. Living there does not make someone a local," Dorian wrote.

Another individual shared a positive experience surfing with Smith and a companion, noting their respectful behavior and willingness to wait their turn.

Smith, who has been surfing since age three, has achieved significant competitive success. He won two Australian titles by age 16 and claimed the 2021 Oakberry Tweed Coast Pro junior event. In 2023, he won his first senior title at the Gold Coast Open QS 1000 and is currently aiming for a spot on surfing's elite Championship Tour.