Cape Town, South Africa – The inaugural Surf Expo Africa (SEA), paid special tribute to one of South African surfing and sailing’s most iconic founding fathers, John Whitmore, affectionately known as “The Oom”.
The expo, which took place at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC) on 29 & 30 November, brought together watersports, wellness and travel experts and enthusiasts for a three-day programme featuring speakers, entertainment, and ocean and lifestyle activities.
A major highlight of Saturday’s programme was a special presentation by author Miles Masterson, who spoke about Whitmore’s extraordinary life and legacy, drawn from his book The Oom – The Biography of South African Water Sports Pioneer John Whitmore.
Known as the “Godfather of South African Surfing,” John Whitmore’s contribution to the sport stretches far beyond the surf breaks he pioneered. Known for his huge personality, pioneering spirit and unwavering belief that surfing could become a unifying cultural force, Whitmore shaped not only early South Africa surf culture but the surf industry itself, and laid the foundations of many of the competitive pathways that define the sport in South Africa today, including the founding of the WPSA, SASA and Springbok surfing.
Aside from being the first to ride many of South Africa’s most iconic waves, such as Kommetjie, St Francis, Jeffreys Bay and Elands Bay, Whitmore made an impact in several other ways:
● 1954: Created South Africa’s first surfing brand, Whitmore Surfboards, first made from wood, then polystyrene foam.
● 1962: Opened Cape Town’s first retail outlet, selling imported American surf gear, stickers and t-shirts.
● 1964: Manufactured the first modern polyurethane foam surfboards in South Africa using foam cores imported from Hobie Alter in California.
● 1965: Began Cape Town’s first surf and weather report on Radio Good Hope.
● 1966: Starred in and played a key role in the success of Bruce Brown’s iconic 1960s surf
and travel documentary The Endless Summer.
● 1968: Began manufacturing Clark Foam polyurethane surfboard blanks in Cape Town, distributing them nationwide to surf shops and shapers across South Africa.
● 1971: Introduced the Hobie Cat to South Africa and opened Cape Town’s first independent sailboat factory, “The Cattery” in Harrington Street.
● 1978: Obtained the sole license to manufacture the Morey Boogie bodyboard in South Africa, introducing yet another ocean sport and industry to the country.
Masterson’s biography is filled with stories that shine a light on Whitmore’s rebellious, adventurous, and mischievous personality, as well as his ingrained marketing and business savvy. The book tells how Whitmore became fixated with the little-known sport of surfing after seeing a swimwear advert in an American diving magazine. He went on to build his own surfboard – a 12-foot, 40kg craft – which he took out for its maiden surf at Glen Beach in Camps Bay.
The author describes how that was the start of his life’s purpose: “The glide of surfing was a primal sensation to which John would become joyously enslaved for the rest of his life – and one that he would soon spread to countless others.”
This story, and dozens more, illustrate why Whitmore remains one of the most beloved characters in the history of local surf culture.
The organisers of Surf Expo Africa said it was only right that their inaugural event honoured the man who laid the foundation for all that followed.
“You can’t tell the story of South African surfing or the surf industry without starting with John Whitmore,” says Masterson. “He was a pioneer, a visionary, and a natural leader. More than that, he was a storyteller and a connector; he brought people together and pushed the sport forward at every turn.”
Masterson was joined by pioneering surf industry legends Robin Solomon, founder of Cape Town’s first surf shop, Peter Wright of The Corner Surf Shop, and 1960s SA women’s surfing pioneer Bernie Shelly, to discuss John Whitmore’s enduring influence as the godfather of South African beach culture.
Attendees had the chance to meet the author, purchase the book at the stand of Cape Town-based environmental NGO Protect the West Coast (PTWC) and have their copies signed. 50% of all book sales at SEA will go towards PTWC.
The presentation on Saturday afternoon was one of the expo’s highlights, offering rare insight into Whitmore’s personal life, early surf exploration, business ventures, and the profound impact he had on the local and global surf community.
Featured Image: Supplied
