Surfing Australia Announces CEO Transition
Surfing Australia today announced that Chris Mater will be stepping down as Chief Executive Officer, effective 31st October 2025.
Mater become Surfing Australia CEO in 2018, taking over from Andrew Stark. Reflecting on his tenure, Mr Mater said: “I joined this purpose-driven organisation to make a difference in the sport of surfing – for surfers, our members, and Australia’s coastal communities. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, and the results have exceeded my expectations. It’s been an honour to serve this amazing sport.”
Surfing Australia made a bullet point-list of Mater's achievements, including:
- Built a world-leading High-Performance Program, supporting athletes to medal success at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games.
- Delivered a 165-day annual events calendar, including the iconic Australian Boardriders Battle, which reached record audiences and was named ASE Sports Broadcast of the Year in 2025.
- Grown the organisation to 54 full and part-time staff, achieved strong eight-figure revenues, delivered consistent annual net profits, grown the current ratio to 1.23, eliminated over $1 million debt, and established robust cash reserves.
- Launched groundbreaking initiatives such as Rivals, Seas the Day, The Australian Online Surf Championships, the Irukandjis national team identity, the Rise Female Talent Program, launched the Australian Junior Series event system & rankings, the First Nations Youth High Performance Program, and the Come to the Edge television special to name a few.
- Reached the milestone of over 100,000 SurfGroms participants nationwide & record setting 120,000 new female surfers aged 15+ the most of any sport in Australia in 2023
- Secured and grown strategic commercial partnerships critical to Surfing Australia’s success generating well over $10 million in revenue.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Chris for his service to Surfing Australia” said Adrian Buchan, Chair of the Board. “Chris leaves us with a strong financial platform for the future. We are focused on strengthening relationships with our key partners and stakeholders, continuing to provide the best pathway for our athletes and investing in the sport at a grassroots level.”
On Chris’s departure, Surfing Australia Chairman, Adrian ‘Ace’ Buchan, will step into the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer, ensuring continuity of leadership and stability for the organisation until a permanent appointment is confirmed. Ace brings 8 years’ service on the Board and 16 years’ experience as an athlete on the World Surf League Championship Tour.
Comments
Corpo speak 101
I know lotsa people have negtaive feelings about organisations and their roels in surfing
But that soounds pretty good on paper (I know, it always does on paper)...
I wonder where the revenue comes from and in what portions: Olympic grants? Govt grants? Corp sponsorships? Membership fees maybe? Somewhere else?
N Ace Buchan.... didn't know he was the Chair. Volunteer or salaried I wonder? Seemed like a smart cookie on the tour n last time I was in Terrigal he had a buzzing surf shop come cafe he was involved in, had a go with a stratup: AwayCo if anyone remembers that.
Guess I could answer my own questons of I looked hard on the web but curious what other think or know
You know, I completely misread that headline.............
hahaa.. as in misinterpreted..?
no, this thread won't become another 'go woke, go broke' repository..
Many sporting organisations face criticism due to their structural reliance on grassroots clubs for funding. National bodies like Netball Australia and the Australian Baseball League often collect significant financial contributions from these smaller affiliated leagues and clubs. However, the benefits returned to these local clubs are minimal, leading to a perception that resources are being taken from the grassroots level to support the top tiers — effectively a case of taking from the poor to give to the rich.
Nothing says CEO better than a Rolex and some Westinghouse-white teeth.