A fight between a father and a walker over boogie boarding in the sea was 'tourist-on-tourist', according to locals.
Footage showed a confrontation between two men in wetsuits as a family tried to enter the sea during Storm Austen's 80mph winds.
As a father led his family – all dressed in wetsuits and carrying boogie boards – on to Polzeath Beach in Cornwall, they were stopped by an unidentified man on a walk who witnesses believe urged the dad not to take his family into the sea during the strong storm.
During the confrontation on Friday, October 23, the father punched the man once after approaching him in a crab-like fighting stance, which has since been mocked for its peculiarity.
A surf shop worker who saw footage of the fight said: 'From what I know it was tourist-on-tourist, none of the traders I’ve spoken to recognise them.
'I’ve seen worse fights in primary school playgrounds... People on Instagram are joking that he fights like a crab.'
New footage of the fight shows the father approaching the walker side-on while crouching like a crab before striking him
As the father led his family - all dressed in wetsuits and carrying boogie boards - on to Polzeath Beach in Cornwall, they were stopped by an unidentified man on a walk
One local, who saw the fight, said: 'They were the only people on the beach at the time because it was closed due to Storm Austen.
'I don’t know what was said before but it wasn’t much of a punch, you can see in the video the guy didn’t even stumble backwards.
'It’s weird behaviour with obvious aggression but it wasn’t a big fight. I’m wondering what type of approach the victim made to get that reaction.
'After the guy hit out his wife also gave her two penneth worth.
'Lifeguards spoke to the guy afterwards and he was difficult but not aggressive. The red flag was up for several days and it is there for a reason, the water during the storm was treacherous.'
Another witness told Cornwall Live: 'We were sat having a coffee and watched the family with very young-looking kids heading down to the water's edge, battling with their boogie boards.
'We thought they must be crazy going in as the swell and sea state was so rough, not to mention the 50mph winds.
'After a couple of minutes of being in the water, a passer-by walked to the water's edge. We assumed they were suggesting it wasn't safe.
The dad (wearing the red-and-black wetsuit) adopts his crab-like stance seconds before punching the man speaking to him
After throwing the punch the father is asked to leave the beach with his family by the RNLI
'Before long, the dad in the water sprinted out and started confronting the passer-by, who was obviously concerned for the family's safety.
'The dad then got very close to the passer-by and put his fists up. Before we could start recording, he punched him.
'The passer-by didn't seem to take the bait and shrugged it off.'
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the incident was not reported to them.
The footage, which was posted onto Facebook, has been watched thousands of times.
One commenter said: 'The passer-by saved them from a possible headline in a newspaper.
'I’m just confused the parent wanted to fight the man who was giving them safety advice?'
Another added: 'If you enter the sea in these conditions, not only are you putting yourself but also rescuers' lives at risk.'
Do you know anyone involved? Email cameron.charters@mailonsunday.co.uk