‘Don’t tell your Dad’: Secret shame of surfing’s dark star, Chris Davidson

Chris Davidson’s violent death surprised few. Behind his world acclaimed surfing skills lay battles with alcohol, drugs and a child indecency conviction.

Chris Davidson in action on tour, main picture, and in a more recent Instagram picture, inset. Pictures: News Corp/Supplied

Before his shock death Chris Davidson was a much-loved Australian surfing icon, adored by the public, but behind closed doors the athlete had a dark secret – a conviction for a child sex offence.

At one point in his career, Davidson was described as “one of the most gifted surfers in the world”, but behind his talent were battles with alcohol, drugs and troubles with the law.

He died at age 45 this year, after he was allegedly punched by another man, causing him to hit his head on the pavement and die.

Police allege Grant Coleman, the brother of NSW Waratahs coach Darren Coleman, is responsible for the attack, which occurred outside the South West Rocks Country Club about 11pm that night.

His death sent shockwaves through the surfing communities and around his local communities in South West Rocks and North Narrabeen – some people remember him fondly, while others remember him for his volatile history with the law.

Chris "Davo" Davidson who died after he was punched outside a venue in South West Rocks. Picture: Facebook

He grew up surfing at North Narrabeen and joined the local boardriders at age seven.

By 19 he had become a big name in the surfing world, after he was granted a wildcard into the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach where he famously defeated Kelly Slater in two consecutive heats. By 2010, he was ranked number 14 globally in the sport.

Pro surfer Kelly Slater paid tribute to Chris Davidson, a fellow surfer, in an Instagram story.

Eleven-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater counted Davidson as an old friend. Picture: Matt Dunbar/World Surf League

After news of Davidson’s death broke, Slater posted a tribute to social media for his old friend and competitor, saying: “Lost another soldier yesterday. #RIPChrisDavo. Had many a good battle with this guy. One of the most naturally talented surfers I ever knew.”

Surfing Australia also paid tribute t the surfer in a social media post, writing: “Davo was an incredibly talented surfer and a true individual in our sport and community.

“Our thoughts go out to his two children, friends and family at this time.”

Known as ‘Davo’ among the surfing community, Davidson was praised for his undeniable talent, but had a bad reputation when it came to alcohol, drugs and bad behaviour.

Chris Davidson competing at his home break at North Narrabeen.

In an interview with surf magazine Stab in 2006, Davidson admitted he had issues with drugs and alcohol but was trying to do better.

“I don’t want anything to do with that bad-boy image. I just want to be known as Davo, good surfer, nice guy. I don’t want this bad boy hype,” he said.

Over the course of his career, he had a string of drink-driving offences. He was lucky to survive a crash several years ago, after hitting a telegraph pole while under the influence of alcohol.

‘DON’T TELL YOUR DAD’

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal he was convicted of more serious charges and was also listed on the state’s Child Protection Register, after he indecently assaulted a 15-year-old girl at her family home.

Davidson kissed the girl while she was home alone, leaving her “scared and uncomfortable” some years ago.

In documents obtained by the Telegraph, it was revealed Davidson was known to the girl’s father.

He had been invited to an event by the girl’s father, but declined in the afternoon,

However, when the man left his home, Davidson sat with his daughter as he watched a movie on the couch, complimenting her on her looks before asking: “do you have a boyfriend, if so he is a very lucky man”.

The girl was uncomfortable, according to the documents, and tried to text her dad, however when she picked up her phone, Davidson told her to put it away.

She quickly went to her bedroom and as she turned around, realised he was directly behind her.

Davidson touched her hands, lent forward and kissed her, causing her to feel “scared and uncomfortable”.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I should not have done that,” Davidson said afterwards.

“I’m sorry don’t tell your dad.”

Chris Davidson celebrates a win in the National Jim Beam Surf Tag Final at North Narrabeen.

Davidson was allegedly killed by a coward punch at South West Rocks around 11pm on September 24 this year. Picture: Instagram

The girl crept out of the house and told another man who resided at the property what had happened.

The man went inside, pulled Davidson off the bed he was laying on and pushed him to the front door.

The man told Davidson he “knew what he’d done” before Davidson denied the incident.

He was charged with one count of assault with act of indecency – to which he pleaded guilty.

He was sentenced to a good behaviour bond for a period of three years in 2017 and put on the Child Protection Register.

However, in 2018, he breached the conditions of the Register, after he was caught working at a local surf academy in South West Rocks, where he gave surf lessons to people of all ages ”including children and young people” without declaring the employment to police.

‘NOBODY WINS HERE’

He was arrested for the breach and told police he denied the incident involving the 15-year-old girl, and did not believe he should be on the Child Protection Register.

He was charged with fail to comply with reporting obligations, and his bond for the assault charge was revoked.

He was resentenced to a three-year community corrections order and forced to complete 100 hours community service work for the breach.

It’s understood that at the time of his death he was facing another charge of failing to comply with his reporting conditions.

Following Davidson’s death last month, Vaughan Blakey said on his podcast Ain’t That Swell, that Davidson was known to be self-destructive at times.

“We’ve lost an absolute character, and real magical human at times,”

“[But] once the grief and the mourning and the celebration of Davo as a surfer subsides, there’s going to be a lot of looking at how this life got to the point it got to, and how it ended the way it did, because nobody wins here.”