Chris Davidson caught driving under the influence - Stab Mag
01 Days
18 Hours
22 Minutes
14 Seconds

Live now

Watch Now: Micky Clarke's Octo Part 'Circuit Bender'

1527 Views

Chris Davidson caught driving under the influence

Former CT surfer Chris Davidson brought a signature rawness to surfing, and dazzled as a grom in early Rip Curl Search films. But he also came up in a time when professional surfing hosted two world tours: The official one, consisting of jerseys and prize purses, and the unofficial one, which championed the last man standing at the bar each night, and the ability to show up and blow up the following morning, Mad Men-style. Davo’s pro surfing career was a far cry from skipping ropes, trainers, energy drinks and warm up bikes: He’s better known for wild behaviour, and too often his life and career have been dictated by his vices. Which is precisely the case in his most recent entanglement… On October 1, Davo was allegedly caught high-range drink driving after he wrapped his mum’s car around a tree in South West Rocks on NSW’s mid-north coast, the area he’s been living in. A resident heard the crash, went outside with her husband and found Davo slumped in his seat. He wasn’t moving. Police and an ambulance were called and Davo was taken to Port Macquarie hospital with various injuries, some internal. The crash caused serious damage to the ligaments in his neck, and he still can’t move his right arm (he’s been seeing a specialist for surgery in Sydney). A high-range charge isn’t a good prospect for anyone, but particularly not for Davo, who’s felt the weight of the big book for DUI before. Back in 2006, he was given a 10-year driving ban, which would end in 2016. And according to Stab‘s source, Davo’s last courtroom appearance featured a magistrate warning Davo that if he set foot in court again for drink driving, he’d be headed straight to jail. Davo now faces drink driving and unlicensed driving charges, meaning that his luck will likely run out, and result in a prison sentence. Better times for Davo in Portugal, 2010. A fighter til the end and a danger in any heat. ASP/Kirstin

style // Mar 8, 2016
Words by stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Former CT surfer Chris Davidson brought a signature rawness to surfing, and dazzled as a grom in early Rip Curl Search films. But he also came up in a time when professional surfing hosted two world tours: The official one, consisting of jerseys and prize purses, and the unofficial one, which championed the last man standing at the bar each night, and the ability to show up and blow up the following morning, Mad Men-style. Davo’s pro surfing career was a far cry from skipping ropes, trainers, energy drinks and warm up bikes: He’s better known for wild behaviour, and too often his life and career have been dictated by his vices. Which is precisely the case in his most recent entanglement…

DAvo_Arrest_InsetOn October 1, Davo was allegedly caught high-range drink driving after he wrapped his mum’s car around a tree in South West Rocks on NSW’s mid-north coast, the area he’s been living in. A resident heard the crash, went outside with her husband and found Davo slumped in his seat. He wasn’t moving. Police and an ambulance were called and Davo was taken to Port Macquarie hospital with various injuries, some internal. The crash caused serious damage to the ligaments in his neck, and he still can’t move his right arm (he’s been seeing a specialist for surgery in Sydney).

A high-range charge isn’t a good prospect for anyone, but particularly not for Davo, who’s felt the weight of the big book for DUI before. Back in 2006, he was given a 10-year driving ban, which would end in 2016. And according to Stab‘s source, Davo’s last courtroom appearance featured a magistrate warning Davo that if he set foot in court again for drink driving, he’d be headed straight to jail.

Davo now faces drink driving and unlicensed driving charges, meaning that his luck will likely run out, and result in a prison sentence.

Better times in Portugal, 2010. A fighter til the end and a danger in any heat. ASP/Kirstin

Better times for Davo in Portugal, 2010. A fighter til the end and a danger in any heat. ASP/Kirstin

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Albee Layer’s Biggest Career Regrets, Getting Sober, And The Heaviest Wave On Earth | StabMic Ep. 38

+ why he wants to see more double grabs at Stab High.

Nov 10, 2026

Everything You Need To Know About Stab High China, Presented By Monster Energy

We're two days away from our biggest chlorinated ramp yet.

Nov 10, 2026

Can We (Scientifically) Predict Barelling Waves?

Kanoa Pick and Cliff Kapono are giving it a damn good shot.

Nov 9, 2026

Why Does China Send People To The Moon?

We asked the designers of the world's best air section.

Nov 6, 2026

Meet Axel Dominguez Before He Does Something Stupid At Stab High

The 19-year-old French surfer just dropped an SEOTY entry called 'Glint.'

Nov 6, 2026

World Title Race: Who Needs What At Pipeline?

Don't let the yellow jerseys fool you.

Nov 5, 2026

I Know You’ve Got A Good Kelly Story, Too…

Coming soon: Our first feature length 'How Surfers Get Paid' documentary.

Nov 4, 2026

Ocean & Earth Release First Full-Length Surf Film In 27 Years | ‘DUALITY’ Starring Dakoda and Harley Walters

A gene pool counting the latest Surf100 winner + a 2x Stab High finalist.

Nov 3, 2026

Medina Wins First CT In Three Years, Claims Cloud 9 For The Goofs

While a bruised and bloodied Simmers rock and rolls into World Title contention.

Nov 3, 2026

Exclusive: Stab & Quiksilver’s New 11-Piece Collection

With 2x Stab High winner Hughie Vaughan at the centre of the mood board.

Nov 3, 2026

A Truly Obscene Day Of Competitive Surfing At Cloud 9

Day 3 leaves behind a wake of broken boards, battered bodies, and sickeningly good highlights.

Nov 2, 2026

Is The Surf Industry Having A Crisis Of Imagination? | StabMic Ep. 37 | Pat Towersey

"Marketing is total bullshit."

Nov 2, 2026

Watch: Oxbow’s Laura Coviella in ‘Untamed’ 

Feat round waves in the Ments.

Nov 1, 2026

Marama Takong Just Reminded Everyone Who Runs Cloud 9

A thumping first day at the CT's newest stop.

Nov 1, 2026

The Land Of Dancing Pandas, Fireblowers, And Big Fucking Ramps

What to expect on the ground at Stab High in China, according to a former…

Oct 31, 2026

SEOTY: JOB’s Favorite Backdoor Surfer Of All Time

Kelly Slater, Shane Dorian, and more weigh in on a remarkable portrait of Torrey Meister.

Oct 29, 2026

A Pool Film Starring Hughie Vaughan, Eithan Osborne, Craig Anderson + Mikey Wright

Technical knockouts at Surf Abu Dhabi.

Oct 29, 2026

The King Of Cloud 9 Won’t Divulge His Trade Secrets, But He Will Happily Smoke World Champs

4x Cloud 9 QS winner Marama Tokong talks the forey and stacked wildcard bench.

Oct 28, 2026
Advertisement