Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
A paddle-out will be held at Scarborough Beach this weekend to honour WA surfing legend Mark Lane, who died last weekend after a long battle with cancer.
Tributes are flowing in from across the Australian surfing community for the man affectionately known as “Laney”, whose legacy will live on both in the sport and among those who knew him.
Mark was the chief executive officer of Surfing WA, a role he had held since 2010.
He was also previously CEO of the organisation from 2000 to 2006 before taking on the top job at Surfing Australia from 2006 to 2009.
Surfing WA is remembering the surfing legend as a passionate advocate for the sport and a pillar of strength for the organisation.
“Mark will be deeply missed, and his legacy will live on through the people, places and surfing community he dedicated so much of his life to supporting,” a statement from the organisation read.
“His leadership, passion and genuine care helped strengthen Surfing WA, create opportunities for surfers across the State and build lasting relationships throughout the wider surfing community.
“Beyond his contribution to the sport, Mark was a much-loved colleague, mentor and friend to many.
“His warmth, humour and unwavering passion for surfing left an indelible mark on Surfing WA, and his loss will be deeply felt by our staff, board and the many people whose lives he touched.”
His contribution to surfing reached all levels of the sport, from grassroots programs and coaching to managing elite athletes, national teams and major world championship events.
He was instrumental in raising tens of millions of dollars to support the development of a men’s and women’s World Championship Tour event in WA, as well as establishing the WA Surf Gallery in Yallingup, the State’s first surfing museum.
After more than 30 years of service to the sport, he was honoured with Surfing Australia life membership in 2023.
Surfing Australia chair Adrian Buchan has described him as “a titan of Australian surfing” whose decades of leadership, generosity and passion helped shape the sport.
“His passing leaves a huge hole in the WA surf community, but his passion and energy for surfing will live on,” Mr Buchan said.
“He was unfailingly positive, made everyone feel welcome and wasn’t afraid to have a crack. He didn’t hesitate to assemble world-class fields for the Margaret River event and helped elevate it into one of the most loved stops on the Championship Tour.”
Scarborough MLA Stuart Aubrey, a volunteer at Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club, remembered Mark as a warm, friendly and genuine person, and reflected on the growth of the sport in WA under his leadership.
“I’ll always remember the incredible growth of Surfing WA here in Trigg, from the small shack beside the surf club to the thriving home of WA Surfing it is today,” Mr Aubrey said.
“Mark will be deeply missed here in Scarborough and throughout the surfing community. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone at Surfing WA in this difficult time.”
Australian surfing star Sally Fitzgibbons dedicated her round one victory at the Fiji Pro on Wednesday to Mark.
“That one was for you Laney,” Fitzgibbons said.
“He was a true legend of our surf community. He was with me when I was 13, 14 on team Australia. I’m sending all my love to his family and friends.”
In recent years, Mark had become an advocate for skin cancer prevention after being diagnosed in 2018.
He spoke openly about his diagnosis and treatment, encouraging others, especially surfers and beachgoers, to take skin checks and sun safety seriously.
He also spent part of his early career teaching physical education at Carine Senior High School.
Family, friends and members of the wider surfing community are being invited to gather at Sunset Hill at Scarborough Beach from 8am on Saturday, August 29, for a paddle-out in Mark’s memory.
