The great popularity of surfboard riding in Durban and the improvement of the standard among local riders can be attributed to the showing of surfing films from the United States and australia.
In the last 18 months four of these 16mm. sound and colour films have been seen in Durban. Next week the latest film from the United States, "Gun-Ho" will be screened.
This 90-minute film is by far the best surfing film to have reached Durban - even better tan "The angry Sea," which was screened here at the beginning of the year.
"Gun-Ho" was made by Bud Brown, a Californian who was the first on the scene with commercial surfing films in 1953 Surfing himself since 1938. Bud Brown has been shooting surfing since 1940.
NEVER SEEN
In "Gun-Ho" he displays his years of surfing knowledge and filming experience. Several of his techniques have never been seen before
- riders on giant Waimea Bay waves filmed from a helicopter, and Sunset Beach rides from the water.
When a huge winter swell hits the north shore of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands,surfers the world over come to
challenge thegiant waves at Laniakea, Haleiwa, Sunset Beach, Makaha, Waimea and - the most treacherous of all - the Banzai Pipeline. And on hand to grasp the action on film is Bud Brown.
Most of the film is about Hawaiian waves but there are some scenes of California and Australia.
Several of the best surfers in the world are featured. They are seen, in a sequence of shots, as they ride waves at various beaches and famous surfing spots.
Phil Edwards, "Midget" Farrelly, Paul Strauch, John Peck, Mike Doyle and several others give a display of surfing which makes one gasp in disbelief.
CAMERA-SHY
One disappointment is that very little is seen of the great Phil Edwards, the master and originator of "functional" surfing. The camera-shy American is seen riding a few waves in his immaculate, casual style. There is one shot of him taking an unbelievable "wipe-out."
The most breath-taking scene of the whole film is of Butch van Artsdalen in the Banzai Pipeline. At one stage he is completely invisible in the tube of the wave.Several minutes are devoted to tandem riding.
Shapely young girls ride high on the shoulders of men on special tandem boards.
The name of the film incidentally, "Gun-Ho," is derived from the "big gun" or "elephant gun" which are the names given to boards used for the big wave riding.
HIGHER STANDARD
"Gun-Ho" is a film which will interest everyone - "stoked" surfers and non-surfers alike. Anyone with a love of the sea cannot fail to be awed by the mighty waves of Hawaii where surfing began more than four centuries ago.
From this film Durban surfers can see how very much higher is the standard of surfing in Hawaii, the United States and Australia. but far from being discouraged, they should endeavor to learn from seeing the masters of the sport in action.
There is surely no better way of improving one's surfing ability than by watching films of other surfers.
"Gun-Ho" will be shown at the St. John Theatre, Old Fort Road, from Monday to Friday next week at 8 o.m. There will be a matinee at 2.15 p.m. on Monday.
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