DAVID "MEX" SUMPTER

Send us Fan MailDAVID "MEX" SUMPTER -... Many surfers grew up virtually right on the beach, making their surfing life almost inevitable. David, and his brother Rodney, started life in England well away from any surfing scene that might have drawn them in. However due to their parents deciding to move to Australia and set up home on Sydney's northern beach suburbs, well within easy reach of the surf, they too quickly found surfing as if pre-ordained for them. Also, David was right there watching the first wave of visiting Americans riding malibu surfboards rather than the 16ft long hollow boards the Aussies were surfing. A day when modern surfboard riding was born in Australia back in the 1960's. With his father Merv working with Bob Evans to bring some structure to surfing's soon-fast growth, rubbing shoulders with Midget Farrelly, Bob McTavish, Nat Young and other emerging 'stars,' working with Tracks magazine and making the surf film "On Any Morning," David has seen the vast popularity of Australian surfing explode from the inside over the decades. Now, well into his 80's, he's still stoked on surfing and getting amongst the waves whenever he can.