Maroubra surfers have made headlines battling the council and the courts. Now a spiritual battle is making waves.
The fierce reputation of Maroubra's Bra Boys have long been part of the Sydney surf scene.
In recent months, the tight-knit community has run into conflict with Randwick Council over collapsed plans for Australia's first surfing reserve.
They have also been rocked by a murder charge.
But behind the headlines are Christian surfers, such as the Rev Stephen Bligh who have spent the last three decades riding the waves and engaging in low key evangelism.
"The bottom line in, we just want surfers to go to heaven," Mr Bligh said.
"There's been a generation of ministry invested in that community since 1975. We’re seeing fruit that began 30 years ago."
He said one of the surfers who has turned to Christ is Maroubra indentity Jai Abberton, who was acquitted in May of murdering underworld figure Anthony Hines.
The NSW Supreme Court cleared the founder and leader of the Bra Boys after he admitted to shooting Mr Hines in self defence.
Mr Abberton told the court he shot the underworld figure in August 2003 because he believed he was going to rape his girlfriend and kill them both.
Stephen Bligh appeared on the ABC's Australian Story last month to talk about the murder charge.
"It was a shock, it was a surprise, and I was deeply concerned for Jai," said Mr Bligh, who ministered to the surfer for two and a half years in custody.
Mr Abberton, who Mr Bligh said became a Christian in 1999, is also a member of the Maroubra Surfers Church that has recently been reformed after being disbanded six years ago.
The group runs two house Bible fellowships. One meets on Monday nights and the other group meets on Tuesdays comprising about 10 members of the Bra Boys.
Mr Bligh, who is also the minister at St John's, North Ryde, said the ministry has matured as the boys have become men and started families of their own.
A number of the surfers have received training in ministry and evangelism, with the hope of starting a surfers church plant in the area.
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