Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater to Step Down After Seven-Year Tenure

Surfing Australia has confirmed that Chief Executive Chris Mater will step down from the role on 31 October, concluding a seven-year period marked by significant financial, structural and commercial growth for the organisation.

Since joining the national body, Mater has overseen a broad transformation that positioned Surfing Australia as one of the country’s stronger-performing sporting organisations. Under his leadership, the organisation established a world-class high-performance program that delivered Olympic medals at both the Tokyo and Paris Games, while expanding its grassroots reach through programs such as SurfGroms and the Rise Female Talent initiative.

Commercial Implications

Mater leaves Surfing Australia on improved financial footing. During his tenure, the organisation reported consistent net profits, built cash reserves, cleared more than AUD1 million in debt, and grew annual revenues into the eight-figure range. Staff numbers expanded to 54 full- and part-time employees, supported by an integrated approach to elite sport, participation, partnerships and content.

Surfing Australia secured and expanded partnerships worth more than AUD10 million, a critical factor in enabling both high-performance and community programs. The annual events calendar also grew to 165 days, with the Australian Boardriders Battle achieving record broadcast audiences and industry recognition.

Board Chair Adrian Buchan credited Mater with leaving the organisation in a stronger position to build long-term stability, noting that Surfing Australia now has “a strong financial platform for the future” and a clear mandate to continue strengthening athlete pathways and grassroots engagement.

Mater described the decision to step aside as “bittersweet” but emphasised his confidence in the organisation’s direction, citing the support of the Board, staff and broader surfing community as central to its recent progress.

Buchan will act as interim Chief Executive following Mater’s departure, while the search for a permanent successor is now underway.

The new appointment will inherit an organisation with strengthened commercial partnerships and a growing participation base, but also the challenge of sustaining growth and relevance in a competitive sporting landscape.

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