ORIGINAL STORY
Media outlets around the world are reporting that Australian Professional surfer and star of Modern Collective Mitch Coleborn is facing up to six months in a Canadian jail after allegedly flashing his man bits to a group of children and parents near a school in Tofino, British Columbia.
In Canada for the O’Neill Cold Water Classic, the 23-year-old goofy footer from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast was said to be part of celebrations following fellow Aussie Josh Kerr’s win in the event. Coleborn, who went down to eventual runner up American Eric Geiselman in the fourth round, is currently speaking with lawyers and his sponsor Volcom, in Australia.
Typically the main stream media are predicting the worst for the freakishly talented surfer, not completely surprising when you consider the statement made by Royal Canadian Mountie, Police sergeant Jeff Preston, “He is alleged to have exposed his genitals in a public place to people, including several children.”
Not good.
Also not surprising is the sergeant’s acknowledgment that, “alcohol was definitely a factor.”
Hello.
The alleged “streaking” incident took place at around 8:40am on Friday morning, following which Coleborn was arrested and asked to surrender his passport, which he did. Tracks spoke with Volcom’s team manager Matt Bemrose about the seriousness of the matter and he conceded, “It sounds real bad. The media have just gone the whole hog and painted it as something that as far as I can tell is nothing of the sort. We’ve spoken to Mitch and others and apparently the truth will come out. But if he’s proven innocent I’m betting you won’t read about it in the same papers and websites that blew it up.”
Tofino, British Columbia is a small town with a population under 2000 people and the influx of professional surfers from around the world is a fairly new occurrence. Coleborn is allowed to stay in the town but must avoid drug, alcohol and schools until he is scheduled to appear in Tofino’s Provincial Court on November 1.
UPDATE: 22/10/2010
REPRIEVE FOR AUSSIE SURFER MITCH COLEBORN
Mitch Coleborn has had a reprieve from his bail restrictions of his indecent act case in Canada with the judge allowing the goofy footer to fly to California to compete.
“He made an application that instead of surrendering his passport, could he deposit $C5000 as an indication of his intention to return to face the charges,” Crown prosecutor David Kidd said. “That was allowed.”
Coleborn is due back in the Canadian court on November 1.
Coleborn was hoping to compete in the Cold Water Classic Santa Cruz, California.
Many Coleborn supporters and like minded surfers assume the surfer was probably only doing a “nudie run”, but Mr Kidd said Coleborn did more than a naked run in the street.
“It was not a nudie run,” the prosecutor said.
Let’s hope when the truth comes out Mitch can get on with his surfing career.
Note: Mitch’s name didn’t appear in the round of 96 heat draw where he was expected to surf.
UPDATE: 2/11/2010
MITCH COLEBORN PLEADS NOT GUILTY
Aussie pro surfer Mitch Coleborn has entered a not guilty plea to an indecent act charge in Canada.
Mitch was accused of exposing his genitals in front a group of children and adults near a school in Tofino, British Columbia on October 15.
He will fight the charge at a trial set for March 8.
The 23-year-old from the Sunshine Coast did not appear in the Tofino court on Monday to make the plea, according to Canada’s Westerly newspaper.
Coleborn had an agent act on behalf of himself and his lawyer, a local newspaper reported.
If found guilty Coleborn could face up to six months in jail.
