Former professional surfer Evan Faulks has spoken candidly after police withdrew all criminal charges against him following a nine-month stint in Clarence Correctional Centre. The 41-year-old was previously accused of being a high-ranking member of the Bra Boys surfing gang and directing a $12.6 million drug operation in Sydney.
All criminal charges brought against Faulks were formally dismissed in February on the exact same day he and his fiancé Rachael Lee, 39, welcomed their baby daughter, Ocean. The dismissal brought an end to a two-year bail period following his release from prison in late 2023.
Faulks was arrested on the Gold Coast in March 2023 and extradited from Queensland following an 18-month investigation into drug consignments intercepted by United States authorities. New South Wales Police initially alleged that Faulks was a ringleader of a criminal syndicate importing and distributing methamphetamine and cocaine throughout Sydney.
In March 2024, prosecutors withdrew initial charges that Faulks knowingly directed the activities of a criminal group and dealt with the proceeds of crime with intent to conceal. He maintained a plea of not guilty to a remaining charge of dealing with property worth $266,954 suspected of being crime proceeds between September 2016 and May 2017.
On February 23, that final charge was withdrawn and dismissed by mutual agreement with prosecutors during a brief court hearing that Faulks did not attend while preparing for the birth of his daughter. His lawyer, Greg Gould, confirmed the outcome to reporters and stated that Faulks was very happy with the final decision.
Surfing Career and Early Decisions
Before his arrest, Faulks was building a public profile in Australia through professional surfing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and appearances as a Bondi lifeguard on the television series Bondi Rescue in 2021. However, Faulks revealed that an innocent choice during his 20s altered his life trajectory.
Faulks recalled that his closest friend, professional fighter Richard Vaculik, encouraged him to pursue Ultimate Fighting Championship training together when they were young. The pair grew up surfing large waves worldwide and training daily in Jiu-Jitsu.
Faulks declined Vaculik's offer to train full-time, choosing instead to focus on partying and socialising. "I was like, 'Rich, I would love to. I just don't think I have the discipline to train as a full-time fighter. Like I'm training, I'm partying, I'm having too much fun in the life that I'm pursuing at the moment,'" Faulks recalled.
While Vaculik built a successful career as a UFC fighter, big wave surfer, and fight analyst, Faulks turned toward criminal networks and substance abuse. "We were both on the same trajectory and one decision, one or two decisions led me to where I went and led Richie to where he went," Faulks stated. "It only takes one decision to get life altered completely in the wrong direction."
Prescription Drug Addiction and Gambling
Faulks detailed a 20-year struggle with prescription drugs, specifically Xanax and Valium, which began during his 20s. At the peak of his dependence, he was consuming between 20 and 40 pills daily to function without experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.
Though he attempted sobriety several times over two decades, Faulks continuously relapsed until his arrest in March 2023. While incarcerated at Clarence Correctional Centre in New South Wales, he experienced severe physical withdrawal that lasted six weeks, leaving him unable to stand or see clearly for a week, shaking, vomiting, and losing 10 kilograms.
During his imprisonment, Faulks also confronted a severe gambling addiction that had developed alongside his drug use. Over a six-year period, he wagered $1.2 million on bets while under the influence of prescription medications.
Because he was betting such massive sums, law enforcement authorities initially suspected he was laundering illicit drug funds. Faulks successfully demonstrated that his betting fell within legal gambling channels, resulting in the withdrawal of those charges. "I finally took accountability for everything in prison," Faulks said. "Took a long, hard look at myself and I thought about where my life was heading. And I said I'm done."
Time Inside Clarence Correctional Centre
Faulks served nine months at Clarence Correctional Centre, a correctional facility located in regional New South Wales. He described avoiding conflict with other inmates by choosing not to participate in illicit drug trade inside the facility.
While incarcerated, Faulks worked as the gym sweeper, had his own cell, and established a disciplined daily routine. Inmates received breakfast consisting of coffee and oats in their cells before a morning headcount, known as a muster, released them to common areas around 8:30am.
Faulks spent between three and five hours training daily in the gym alongside reading, stretching, and meditating. He noted that despite prison administration claims regarding educational opportunities, he encountered red tape when attempting to enroll in official rehabilitation courses.
From Chaos to Clarity Rehabilitation Program
While preparing a written personal history for his court proceedings, Faulks conceived an educational initiative titled From Chaos to Clarity. The program aims to guide young people, prison inmates, and individuals confronting addiction toward legitimate career paths.
Following his release from custody, Faulks partnered with Fabricio Itte, a former mixed martial arts coach who previously trained UFC champion Robert Whittaker. Together, they developed structured coursework designed for delivery in minimum-security prisons, schools, and rehabilitation facilities.
To support the project, Faulks earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and completed a training qualification at AHMRC Training in Little Bay. He scheduled his initial free From Chaos to Clarity workshop for Saturday, August 15 at 11:30am at Gracie Botany Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
The Bra Boys Surfing Community
Faulks addressed public descriptions of his involvement with the Bra Boys, a well-known surfing group based in the coastal Sydney suburb of Maroubra. He rejected media characterisations of the group as a structured criminal organisation.
"All it is, is a surfing community," Faulks explained. "Through the media, they tried to label me as a high-ranking Bra Boy, that it was a criminal network, that it was structured. That's all rubbish." He acknowledged there were "a few bad seeds" in the area, including himself, but described the group as local surfers who bonded over coastal culture.
Faulks noted close friendships with prominent Maroubra surfers, including motivational speaker Mark Mathews and Koby Abberton, who currently resides in Bali. Photo records also depict fellow group members Macario De Souza, Kobe Abberton, and Sunny Abberton.
Relationship with Rachael Lee and Family Life
Six weeks after his release on bail, Faulks met Rachael Lee, 39, on Boxing Day in December 2023 at a swimming pool at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Coogee while both were spending time with their children. Lee told her mother that same day that she intended to marry him.
Despite early cautions from relatives and acquaintances regarding Faulks' public legal trouble, the pair pursued a relationship. Faulks disclosed his bail status immediately, assuring Lee that his previous lifestyle was over. The couple became engaged during a trip to the Australian landmark Uluru and welcomed their daughter Ocean in February.
Faulks is a father to daughters Montana, 12, and Lily, 8, from a previous relationship. Lee has a 15-year-old son, Addison, from a prior partner, as well as an 8-year-old daughter, Gigi, with her former partner, former National Rugby League player and sports television presenter Braith Anasta, 44.
Co-Parenting Conversation with Braith Anasta
Lee and Anasta publicly confirmed their separation in November 2022. Lee subsequently had a brief relationship with Blake Hillen, a Sydney bricklayer and amateur boxer from the Sutherland Shire, before beginning her relationship with Faulks in late 2023.
Faulks revealed that early in his relationship with Lee, he spoke directly with Anasta regarding co-parenting arrangements for Gigi. Faulks recalled telling Anasta, "All you need to know from me is that when Gigi's with me, I'll treat her like she's my own," to which Anasta replied, "Oh, that's good to know." Ongoing co-parenting matters are handled directly between Lee and Anasta.
