Olympic star 'stole surf ski'

OLYMPIC kayaker Nathan Baggaley has been charged after he allegedly stole a surf ski.

OLYMPIC kayaker Nathan Baggaley has been charged after he allegedly stole a surf ski.

It is believed a door was kicked down at the Byron Bay Surf Club on the NSW far north coast at about 9.30pm on Monday, before someone entered the storage area.

A man was allegedly seen by the club's caretaker as he fled with the $2500 surf ski.

Witnesses reported a man leaving the club area with a surf lifesaver's ski strapped to the roof of a vehicle.

President Mark Brown said it was the club's first serious break-in in two years and the intruder was not thought to be a surf club member.

Baggaley, who lives near Byron Bay was arrested and charged with break, enter and steal shortly after midnight yesterday.

The stolen surf ski was recovered by police.

Baggaley was granted bail and will appear in Byron Bay Local Court on August 10.

A three-time world kayaking champion, Baggaley hopes to compete in the Beijing Olympics next year.

After winning two silver medals at the 2004 Olympics, Baggaley's career stalled in October 2005 when the International Canoe Federation banned him for two years following a positive test for stanozolol and methandienone.

He claimed the two steroids had entered his system after he had taken a sip of his brother's steroid-laced drink.