Surf Vlogger Ben Gravy Detained After Risky Attempt to Surf Across Haiti Border
Surf vlogger Ben Gravy was detained after attempting to surf across the border from the Dominican Republic into Haiti, a stunt he later called "stupid" and "lucky."
Surf vlogger Ben Gravy found himself in a precarious situation after attempting a novel entry into Haiti by surfing across its border from the Dominican Republic. The stunt, intended to mark Haiti as his 27th country to surf in, resulted in Gravy and his crew being detained by authorities. While the situation was tense, they were ultimately released without punishment, with Gravy acknowledging the foolishness and luck involved in the escapade.
Key Takeaways
- Ben Gravy attempted to surf from the Dominican Republic into Haiti for his YouTube channel.
- Gravy and his crew were detained by authorities.
- The detention was primarily for safety reasons due to Haiti's current instability and U.S. travel advisories.
- Gravy admitted the idea was "stupid" and they were "lucky" to be released.
A Novel Entry Attempt
Ben Gravy, known for his adventurous surf expeditions, devised a plan to surf across the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island of Hispaniola is divided between these two nations, and a specific wave reportedly allows surfers to cross from the Dominican Republic into Haiti under the right conditions. Gravy aimed to use this wave to enter Haiti, marking it as his 27th country to surf.
Detained for Safety
However, the plan did not go as expected. Gravy and his companions were detained by authorities. The sources indicate that the detention was largely a precautionary measure due to the volatile situation in Haiti. The U.S. has issued a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Haiti, citing risks of kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and limited healthcare.
A "Stupid Idea" and a Lucky Escape
Gravy described the encounter with the general, who initially considered the idea incredibly foolish. "After a long explanation of what we were up to, the general ended up thinking that this was such a stupid idea, and that we were so crazy, that he didn’t know what to do with it," Gravy recounted. The general reportedly informed them of the potential for severe consequences, including long-term imprisonment. However, he ultimately decided against it.
The crew was then escorted back to the border crossing to discuss the matter with local police. Fortunately, after collective assessment by border patrol and local law enforcement, it was determined that the surfers posed no credible threat. Gravy expressed immense relief upon understanding they would be released. He later reflected, "Looking back, I can’t believe that we did this. It was dumb. We got about as lucky as you can get."