The typical American still probably doesn’t even know that the words EU and Europe aren’t interchangeable.

When I lived to Austria I was appalled at how many American friends asked me about the surfing.

To be fair, Austria had a pretty decent navy that used to give the Italians a run for their money. They probably did a bit of surfing here and there, too.

They have time sweet river surfing spots too. ;)

Louisiana doesn't even use common law.

Eh, Scotland is in a similar position with a common-civil hybrid. The Channel Islands use a local customary Normon-derived legal system. And that's only in one European country!