TONIC | NEWS
VALE MARK MCNAMARA
Andrew McKinnon and Mark McNamara, Bells Beach ’99
AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS MACCA, MARK PASSED AWAY
ON A SUNNY SUNDAY AFTERNOON THE 15TH MARCH
SURFING KIRRA POINT. HE WAS GIVING A SURFING LESSON
AND CAUGHT A WAVE DOWN THE POINT FINISHING IN
FRONT OF THE KIRRA SURF PAVILION.
could light up a room, such a fun person to be with and with
so much surfing knowledge to impart. Ironically Mark never
travelled overseas, was quite happy travelling and competing
around the Australian Coastline from the East Coast to the West
Coast chasing waves.
He ran back around the Point and when he re-entered the water
he collapsed into unconsciousness. He was only 51 and would
have turned 52 this year. His sudden and unexpected death sent
shock waves around the surfing community and his much loved
extended Family. Such was his appeal and charisma, there was
other 1000 likes for Mark on social media, some from people who
didn’t know him but admired his love of life and especially his
love of surfing.
To quote a very close friend Brent Osment summed up Mark
great qualities at the memorial service at Vikings Surf Club.
Mark had won numerous National and State Longboard titles
with his stylish combination of traditional hang tens & classic
drop knee cutbacks and his ability to perform innovative modern
manoeuvres always scoring in the excellent range.
Gold Coast based Hawaiian friend Nancy Emerson of the School
of Surfing where Mark worked as the number one coach said
“Marks personality embodied the Aloha Spirit.”
Mark is survived by his daughters Jessica and Cleo and Partners
Denise, Fiona, Vanessa, Jane, Stepdaughters Bridgette and
Natasha, Brother Ted and sister-in-law Marg.
He was an excellent coach and had a big hand in helping his
protégé Clinton Guest the current Australian Open mens
Longboard Champion. Both are members of the Burleigh
Longboard Club and would take it in turns to see who could win
the annual Anzac Day Dawn Surface event hosted by their club
in respect of the Diggers.
When Disabled Surfing arrived on the Gold Coast, Mark was one
of the first volunteers to offer his services. He worked with his
surfboard sponsor Steve Del a Rosso of Clear Water Surfboards.
He was an incredibly warm, funny and sharing guy, a smile that
12 – AUTUMN ISSUE
“We’ve lost a Prince! His encouragement, enthusiasm and
humility has touched us all. He taught, tutored and surfed with a
lot of us here. He was always sharing - which these days are rare.
Mark was always there both on land and water. He knew what
reciprocity meant. He had old style integrity and scruples.”
In a mark of respect Mark was entered in the Australian
Longboard comp at Kingscliff with the red singlet in the 0/40
category that he had dominated. Fellow competitor Mick Get
asked to wear Marks red jersey and during the heat a lone
dolphin cruised into the line-up to catch a couple of waves and
yes Mick won the heat for Maca!
God Rest your Soul Mark, you will be sadly missed by all of us.
RIP brother. You will never be forgotten.
YOUR REGULAR DOSE OF SURF NEWS.