Update: Details Emerge About Richard Thornton's Sudden Death at The Hook

Jade Eckardt
·2 min read
10

As we reported earlier today, Richard Thornton—surfer, U.S. Olympian, and Bay Area swim coach—died yesterday at Santa Cruz surf spot, The Hook. He was 65.

While initial reports stated that he died suddenly while surfing, more details have emerged revealing that he did not die in the ocean.

According to NBC Bay Area, "He collapsed and died before he ever got to the water."

NBC captioned the video above:

Richard Thornton, head coach of San Ramon Valley Aquatics since 1984, died following a medical emergency in Santa Cruz, his family said Thursday."

Jessica Aguirre reported:

"We're learning more tonight about the sudden death of a U.S. Olympian and popular Bay Area swim coach. Richard Thornton died today on a beach in Santa Cruz."

Aguirre said that Richard's brother, Marc, who announced his brother's death on Facebook, told NBC:

"Richard was going to surf with a friend but he collapsed and died before he ever got into the water."

According to the NBC, Richard was being treated for a rare blood cancer but it's not known if it contributed to his death."

Richard was head coach of San Ramon Valley Aquatics since 1984. He was a member of the 1980 US Olympic Team, but didn't get to compete because that was the year the U.S. boycotted the games in Moscow.

He coached Olympic finalists, World Championship finalists, European Championship finalists and NCAA All-Americans.

His father was Nort Thornton, the longtime UC Berkeley swimming coach who died in 2021, NBC reported.

"As hard as today was, tomorrow gonna be worse because it'll set in," Marc said.

Rest in peace, Richard.

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