Australian ex-PM drops in on teen surfer's wave

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has caused a media storm on Tuesday after allegedly "dropping in" on a teenage surfer on the nation's far north coast, drawing comparisons to political infighting in the lead up to a national election.

"Dropping in," or catching a wave after another surfer is already up and riding, is one of the cardinal, unwritten rules of surfing; you just don't do it.

Abbott was snapped dropping in on 17-year-old Ivy Thomas at Tea Tree Beach on Queensland state's Sunshine Coast on Monday -- approximately 140 kilometers north of Brisbane -- who said it was "the best thing ever" to see him as "just a normal person" cheering everyone on in the water.

"He dropped in and I kind of didn't know how to react," Thomas said.

"I was expecting him to be way worse but he could actually surf."

"Only in Australia that you get dropped in by the former prime minister."

Political commentators on Tuesday said the image of Abbott "dropping in" is an apt description of the former PM's plan to travel around the country, dropping in and "messing up (current Prime Minister) Malcolm Turnbull's election campaign.

Abbott, dismayed at not being given an official campaign schedule, organized his own election tour campaigning in marginal seats, insisting he is lending a helping hand and not undermining Turnbull. Abbott has previously said the Turnbull-government would be campaigning on policies introduced under his leadership.

Turnbull deposed Abbott in a backroom party coup in September 2015. Endit