Chris Davidson (surfer)

Chris Davidson
Davidson in Imbituba, Brazil - July 2009
Born	1 January 1978 (1978-01) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died	24 September 2022(2022-09-24) (aged 44) Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation	Surfer

Chris Davidson (1 January 1978 – 24 September 2022) was an Australian professional surfer.

Early life and career

Davidson grew up in North Narrabeen on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.[1]

Davidson's early career faltered due to injuries, family problems and drugs.[2] In the late 2000s, he turned his career around and won several tournaments.[3][4]

Davidson competed on the Men's Championship Tour in 2010 and 2011. His best result was third behind Kelly Slater at the 2010 Rip Curl Pro Portugal;[5] he was ranked 14th overall on the 2010 world tour.[6]

Death

On 24 September 2022, Davidson was punched outside South West Rocks Country Club in South West Rocks, New South Wales, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. He was taken to Kempsey Hospital, where he died a short time later at age 44. A 42-year-old man, Grant Coleman, was later arrested and charged with assault causing death, and refused bail.[7][8][9] Coleman pleaded guilty and received a five-year jail sentence.[10]

References

1. "Australian surfer Chris Davidson dies after punch outside pub". The Guardian. Sydney. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
2. ""I like to roll baby" Chris Davidson on his good competitive results". Surf Europe. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
3. "Chris Davidson Wins the 2008 Rip Curl Pro pres. by Sprite at Seignosse". Surf Europe. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
4. "Chris Davidson Wins 2008 Mr. Price Pro". SURFER Magazine. 6 July 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
5. "SLATER DEFEATS SMITH AT RIP CURL PRO PORTUGAL". SURFER Magazine. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
6. "Chris Davidson Surfer Bio - Men's Championship Tour Event Results". World Surf League. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
7. "Ex-surfing champ Chris Davidson reportedly killed in alleged pub brawl".
8. Decent, Abby Seaman, Tom (25 September 2022). "Former surfing champ dies after alleged one-punch assault". The Sydney Morning Herald.
9. "Latest News: Man dies; another charged over alleged assault, South West Rocks". NSW Police Public Site. 25 September 2022. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
10. Wakatama, Giselle (23 March 2024). "Grant Alec Coleman jailed over fatal punch that killed former pro-surfer Chris Davidson". ABC News.

External links

• Chris Davidson at the World Surf League