Bede Durbidge, we salute you. Photo: Steve Sherman/WSL
It’s been a long road for Bede Durbidge. Over a year and a half ago, the Gold Coast native fractured his pelvis at Pipeline. Since, he’s gone on to coach John John Florence to a world title and battled his way back on tour.
In an announcement at Snapper Rocks on Tuesday, though, Durbidge told the Gold Coast Bulletin that this year would be his last full year on tour and he’d be retiring after the Australian leg next year. He will then step into a new role as Surfing Australia’s elite program manager – putting together and coaching Australia’s Olympic surf team.
“I thought I would stay on tour for a few more years but this opportunity arose and I had to go for it,” Durbidge said.
“In short (my new role) is getting the Australian team ready for Tokyo in 2020. And building a squad and working with their coaches and getting everyone in one room and building that culture to try and win gold medals.
“Right now on the Men’s and the Women’s tour, Australian athletes are leading. If you looked at the ratings you would say Australia has the best hope of winning gold. It is still a long way off — two years — but everyone will be chomping at the bit.”
Bede’s good friend Mick Fanning, though adamant about not surfing in the Olympics himself, is confident in Durbidge’s ability.
“Knowing Bede on a professional and personal level I think he’s the perfect person for the job,” Fanning said.
“He’s been one of the most dedicated athletes on tour and an amazing tactician so he’ll be able to help out in so many different areas. Bede is very willing to do the hard yards and will cover all bases when it comes to planning all programs for our athletes. He’s a man I respect immensely for many different reasons and I think Australian Surfing will feel the benefits of having him on-board.”
