Man Gets Community Service for Surfing Off Chicago Beach

(NewsCore) - A Chicago man arrested on suspicion of illegally surfing at a beach in Chicago will have charges against him dropped if he performs 20 hours of community service, The Chicago Sun-Times reported Thursday.

Rex Flodstrom, 40, was arrested last month for catching small, freezing waves at Oak Street Beach in Chicago, a beach on Lake Michigan where city officials have decreed that surfing is illegal.

After being handcuffed while still in his wet suit, Flodstrom was held for four hours before being charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and being at a closed beach.

Flodstrom's case attracted worldwide interest, with 11-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater taking to Twitter to campaign against the charges.

Judge Gloria Chevere said in court Thursday that the charges could be dropped against Flodstrom if he completes 20 hours of community service in the next four weeks. Flodstrom's lawyer Ed Genson said his client was willing to do the service.

After the case was heard, Flodstrom told reporters outside the court that he still did not believe he had done anything wrong, but acknowledged he would not surf at Oak Street Beach again.

According to the Lake Michigan chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, surfing was banned at all Chicago beaches until 2009, when the group successfully lobbied local government to allow board riding at four locations.