With profound sadness, surfers, friends, and communities across Western Australia are mourning the passing of Mark Lane, the long-serving Chief Executive Officer of Surfing WA and one of the state’s most influential figures in Australian surfing.
Mark Lane died on Saturday, August 22, 2026, after a long battle with cancer, according to tributes shared by Surfing WA organizations and the Western Australian surfing community. His passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences from boardrider clubs, surfers, and industry leaders who credit him with shaping the sport in Western Australia for decades.
For many, Mark was far more than an administrator. He was a passionate advocate for surfing, coastal communities, and the people who called Western Australia’s beaches home. Throughout a career spanning more than three decades, he worked tirelessly to grow participation in surfing, support young athletes, preserve surfing history, and strengthen the connection between regional communities and the sport they loved.
As CEO of Surfing WA, Mark played a pivotal role in securing Western Australia’s place on the World Surf League (WSL) calendar and helped bring international surfing events to the state. He also championed projects that celebrated surfing’s heritage, including the establishment of the WA Surf Gallery in Yallingup, ensuring the stories of Western Australia’s surfing pioneers would be preserved for future generations.
His leadership extended well beyond elite competition. Mark was a strong supporter of grassroots boardrider clubs, promoting initiatives focused on mental health, surf safety, youth development, and regional coastline advocacy. Communities throughout the state have acknowledged his efforts in securing funding for coastal safety projects and regional surf infrastructure, including support for the Southern Ocean Surf Reef in Albany.
The Albany Boardriders Club described Mark as a dedicated voice for regional surfers whose contributions directly benefited their local community. They expressed gratitude for his commitment to protecting Western Australia’s coastline and strengthening opportunities for surfers across the state.
Friends and colleagues remember Mark as someone whose passion for surfing was matched by his commitment to helping others. His vision helped shape generations of surfers, coaches, volunteers, and clubs, leaving a lasting legacy across Western Australia.
A paddle-out tribute has been announced in Mark’s honor and will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. at Midds Reef in Albany. Surfers, friends, and community members are invited to gather on the water to celebrate a life devoted to the ocean and the surfing community.
Mark is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, along with his family and the countless friends and colleagues whose lives he touched through his decades of service to Australian surfing.
Surfing Down South
Mark Lane will be deeply missed and forever remembered by the Western Australian surfing community, regional boardrider clubs, athletes, volunteers, and everyone whose life was enriched by his dedication to the sport.
Paddle easy, Laney. Rest peacefully.