Mark Richardson’s Retirement Statement

At 38 years of age and after competing since 1986 I have decided to retire from Open competition. The last 2 events I will be competing is the 2010 Australian Titles held at Port Macquarie in August and then representing Australia at the World ISA Surfing Games held in Peru in late October.

After 24 years competing I think its time to move into a new phase of my life.This decision will free me up to spend more time with my family Bianca and Ty.I will also be focusing my attention on continuing to Coach Elite surfers as well as  helping to Develop young up and coming surfers throughout Australia and Internationally also continuing working and coaching Team Australia at the World Jnr ISA Surfing Games. I will also be working on building up our Surf School Surfing Services Australia based at Currumbin Alley and continuing to work for Sea and Gold Fm doing the weekend Surf Reports.

I would sincerely like to thank my family and friends for all their support and especially to my beautiful wife Bianca who has been with me and supported me through so many events over the years.

A huge thank you to the Alley Boardriders of which I have been a member since 1983. The club has helped me a lot throughout my career and has given me the chance to take my surfing as far as I could.

I will still compete in my age group at times at a state or national level to help stay fit and healthy. Below are some of my best contest results and coaching result success – Photo above is available for use.

Contest Results

Bronze Medal 3rd World ISA Surfing Games – 2004 Ecuador
3 times Australian Open Champion  - 2000 Scamander TAS   - 2003 Nth Stradbroke Is. QLD  and    2009 Port Macquarie NSW
Senior Mens Australian Champion – 2003 Nth Stradbroke Is. Qld
Runner Up Australian Championship Circuit  1998/2000
Runner Up Australian Open Champion – 2002/ 2005
Queensland Champion Circuit winner – 1998/2002
Runner Up Queensland Champion Circuit – 1999/2000/2003
Highest WQS rating 76# – 1996  - 9 events surfed
5 Times Senior Mens Queensland Champion – 2005/2006/2007/2008/2009
3 Times WAECO Alley Classic Champion 1997/2000/2003

Coaching Results

Head Coach for Team Australia Jnrs  - World Champion Team 2008
Coach for Team Australia Jnrs  - World Champion Team 2006/2007/2009/2010
President Alley Boardriders Currumbin 2002 – 2010
Head Coach for Alley Boardriders Currumbin – 2010
Owner and High Performance Coach at Surfing Services Australia