John Frederick Yates admits to vandalising vehicle of Gold Coast surfing identity Terry ‘Tappa’ Teece

John Yates, the dad of a former Surfing Queensland CEO, has admitted to ‘keying’ a Volkswagen belonging to local surfing identity Terry ‘Tappa’ Teece. Here’s how he was penalised by the court.

John Frederick Yates was depicted vandalising Terry ‘Tappa’ Teece’s vehicle in imagery supplied to Mr Teece by witnesses to the wilful damage. Picture: Supplied

The father of a former Surfing Queensland CEO has admitted to vandalising a Volkswagen belonging to local surfing identity Terry ‘Tappa’ Teece.

Burleigh Heads man John Frederick Yates, who is aged in his mid-seventies, appeared in Coolangatta Magistrates Court recently, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of wilful damage, which was committed in Burleigh Heads on December 2 last year.

Yates was placed on a six-month good-behaviour bond, with no conviction recorded.

He was also ordered to pay Mr Teece $850 restitution.

Terry Teece's Volkswagen Amarok after it was ‘keyed’. Photo: Terry Teece

Yates is the father of former long-term Surfing Queensland CEO Adam Yates (who is not accused of any wrongdoing).

Speaking in the days after the vandalism, Mr Teece, who is famed for his daily surf reports and colourful commentary at local surf contests, said he returned to his Volkswagen Amarok after a surf session when two men who had witnessed the vandalism approached him.

Surf QLD CEO Adam Yates during the launch of the 2023 Gold Coast Open surfing event. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“When I came in two top blokes were waiting saying they saw someone... keying my car,” he said.

“One had pictures and they also confronted him.”

Mr Teece said he had a “strong sense of anger” when he saw the multiple scratches on his car.

“(It was) a pointless gutless act... cowardly and immature,” he said.

Terry ‘Tappa’ Teece at the Surfers Paradise RSL Anzac Day noon service 2025. Picture: Portia Large.

On Tuesday, April 29, Mr Teece told this masthead he had communications from his insurer RACQ indicating they may consider pursuing Mr Yates for their costs.

According to Mr Teece, who retained the invoice, the cost to RACQ to fix the damaged paint was quoted at about $4285 by Miami Smash Repairs.

The car keying incident came three months after Yates’ son revealed he had resigned after more than a decade at Surfing Queensland to “pursue a new role”.

“After 14 years at Surfing Queensland, I am stepping down as Chief Executive Officer to pursue a new role. I would like to thank all who have contributed to create what surfing is today in Queensland,” Adam Yates posted to his personal Instagram.

“I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the amazing team at Surfing Queensland over the years.”

Originally published as John Frederick Yates admits to vandalising vehicle of Gold Coast surfing identity Terry ‘Tappa’ Teece