Ty Richardson following in the wake left by father and former professional Mark

MARK Richardson took down some of surfing’s best during his professional career but it’s time spent in the water with son Ty that has made the memories he cherishes most. Read how the former professional is still helping shape the sport his son is thriving in.

MARK Richardson took down some of surfing’s best during his professional career but it’s time spent in the water with son Ty that has made the memories he cherishes most.

Richardson’s time in surfing has gone full circle, taking him from competitor, to coach and now a father teaching some of the sport’s most promising talents how to thrive on waves around the world.

“Every day I get to spend heaps of time with Ty because he loves to surf,” Richardson said.

“It’s my favourite thing in the world to do, surf with him. It’s really special we get to spend that time together and share experiences. I’ve taken him around the world surfing.”

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR 50C A DAY

Richardson, 46, began surfing at the age of 10 while growing up at Palm Beach and spent the 90s and early 2000s competing in the world qualifying series trying to get on to the world tour.

He moved away from the professional ranks and won three Australian open titles in 2000, 2003 and 2009 and has won the same number of masters titles (2003, 2015, 2018).

Among his highlights is knocking out then-world champion Damien Hardman in the early rounds of a competition in Manly, NSW when he was ranked outside the top 300.

Mark Richardson (left) and son Ty Richardson surfing together. Picture credit: George Harper.

Richardson currently operates Currumbin-based Surfing Services Australia where he and wife Bianca offer learn-to-surf lessons while mentoring high performance surfers.

The iconic Gold Coast surfer also helps coach American WSL competitor Courtney Conlogue.

Richardson and Ty, 13, are also reigning back-to-back Queensland champions, the former for over 40s and then 45s and latter for under-14’s.

Ty began surfing with his father at the age of 5 and has started to show the same flare in competition as his father, winning the Occy Grom Competition and Skull Candy Oz Grom Open a week later, both for the 12-and-under category in 2017.

Mark Richardson (right) and son Ty. Picture: Supplied.

The nephew of 2012 world champion Joel Parkinson, Ty is already backed by Billabong and on the path towards doing something Richardson never could, reach the world tour.

“The goal with Ty was to just have a surfing buddy,” Richardson said.

“From there it’s been all him. He has Joel and (his cousin) Mitch Parkinson to look up to so he has seen that you can make a good living out of being quite a good surfer.

“At this point Ty is thinking he has to keep working on his surfing. Once he gets a bit older he will make a decision on how far he wants to go.

“He has a goal of one day trying to make it on to the world tour but right now that is something far down the road. He just loves competing and surfing.”

MARK RICHARDSON

Age: 46

Wife: Bianca

Lives: Currumbin.

Business: Surfing Services Australia.

Professional surfing career:

Competed in world qualifying series in 90s and early 2000s.

Highlights: Knocking out then world champion Damien Hardman in the early rounds of a competition in Manly, NSW before making the quarterfinals. Was ranked outside top 300 at the time.

Amateur achievements:

Won three Australian open titles in 2000, 2003 and 2009 and has won the same number of masters titles (2003, 2015, 2018). Also current two-time Queensland champion (over 40s, over 45s).

Ty Richardson:

Age: 13

Surfing career: Started at the age of 5. Has most recently won

the Occy Grom Competition and Skull Candy Oz Grom Open a week later, both for the 12-and-under category in 2017. Sponsored by Billabong.