R.I.P Mark Lane: a legacy of sport and kindness

Western Australian surfing icon Mark Lane died over the weekend leaving the surfing community in mourning. 

The following video with Laney was posted back in May 20, 2024:

"Might as well start digging me a hole" - CEO of Surfing WA, Mark Lane, on his skin cancer experience
WATCH IT HERE

There are a lot of social media and online tributes out there this week - here are just a couple:

Cottesloe Longboard Club:
The surfing community has lost a giant in the passing of Mark Lane our leader. He served the community for 22 years. He had a personal vision of where he wanted to take surfing moving forward. He embraced all disciplines of surfing and was instrumental in continuing and supporting the Whalebone after bringing it under the SWA banner and longboarding in general. He always made time for our club committees and members over his tenure. Condolences to the Lane family, his agenda and accomplishments will be hard to replicate. Vale Laney. 

Surfing Australia:
Surfing Australia is deeply saddened by the passing of Mark Lane, former CEO and Life Member, whose decades of leadership, generosity and passion helped shape Australian surfing. 
Known to many as “Laney”, Mark dedicated more than three decades to the sport he loved, as a surfer, coach, administrator and executive. His impact stretched across every level of Australian surfing, helping shape opportunities for generations of athletes, coaches and communities. Mark dedicated his career to growing surfing from the grassroots, all the way through to the world stage.

 
At the time of his passing, Mark was serving as CEO of Surfing WA, a role he held with passion, vision and an unwavering commitment to the growth of surfing in Western Australia. He also previously served as CEO of Surfing Australia from 2006 – 2009, and played a significant role in strengthening the sport nationally. 

Surfing Australia Chair and former Interim CEO Adrian “Ace” Buchan reflected on Mark’s passion for Western Australia and his unwavering positivity: 
“Mark Lane to most, but ‘Laney’ to those of us lucky enough to be generously hosted by him. Laney was a titan of Australian surfing and was so proud to showcase his beloved Western Australia.“
“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.
“His passing leaves a huge hole in the WA surf community, but his passion and energy for surfing will live on.” 

Throughout his career, Mark played a pivotal role in developing Australian surfing, supporting athletes, coaches, clubs and events across the country. His leadership helped strengthen pathways for generations of surfers while nurturing the connected community that defines the sport today. 

Surfing Australia will host a paddle out in honour of Mark on Saturday 29 August, 10:00am AEST, at the Australian Shortboard Titles in Woolongong.
The gathering will coincide with the paddle out happening in Western Australia.

Monitor the Surfing Australia socials from 6AM Saturday for an official call on the location, likely to be Sandon Point, NSW.

Our thoughts are with Mark’s family, the Surfing WA team, and anyone whose lives were touched by Laney’s kindness, mentorship and friendship. 
Vale Mark Lane.