The controversy now rages in Durban as it does in overseas surfing countries - "functional" surfing versus "non-functional" or "aggressive" surfing.
But while the "functional" style has been adopted and approved by the majority of overseas surfers, Durban's surfers are still deeply divided - into three groups.
There are those who insist that "functional" surfing is the only way to surf and the way to improve the standard. There are the "non-functionalists" who favour what they call "aggressive" surfing.
And then there is a tolerant group who recognise how "functional" surfing improves the standard, but feel that there should be freedom. Every surfer should be free to surf as he pleases.
CHAMPION
Cliff Honneysett, a man who has grown up with the sport of surfing in Durban, falls into this last group. Regarded by many as the champion of "aggressive" surfing, Honneysett himself says "I am for 'functional' surfing."
This is strange indeed coming from a person who has formed a surfing club which intends to hold half its contests under `'aggressive" rules.
Honneysett feels this is the only way to create public interest in the sport and to encourage the younger surfers.
Spectators want to see something spectacular and young surfers want to ride spectacularly and not be restricted.
"Surfing is a young sport in this country and we are trying to move too fast. We are trying
Three Schools Of Thought On Style
Some surfers ride just to please themselves. Arms thrown out behind him, John Cerff speeds through a 'section' at Durban's Bay of Plenty.
to accomplish in a year what has taken 10 years to develop in the United States.
FREEDOM
Honneysett thinks that "functional" surfing should be introduced gradually in Durban. And this should be done properly by means of films and demonstrations by top overseas riders. He feels that many Durban surfers who profess to know all about "functional" surfing have not grasped it properly themselves.
But although he is for this style, he feels that there must be freedom in surfing. A surfer should surf to please himself.
A 29-year-old Durban professional lifesaver, Cliff Honneysett has been riding and building boards since the early 1950s. He was member of the South Beach Surfboard Club which was formed in 1951, and with George Bell and Bruce Giles built the first Malibu-type board in Durban.
In 1958 he went to Britain and Europe and surfed at many beaches there. He, "Shorty" Bronkhorst and Dennis Everitt introduced surfboard riding to the Channel Islands. they formed a surfboard club in Jersey which
now flourishes.
Today any South African surfer arriving in Jersey is automatically made an honorary member of this club.
SENSATION
In 1962 Honneysett and a friend caused quite a sensation when they paddled surfboards from Jersey to France and back. The locals said it could not be done but the two South Africans proved them wrong and won numerous bets.
They also got into trouble with the authorities for illegally entering France for a couple of beers after a paddle of more than 25 miles.
Last month Honneysett formed the Addington Surfing Club. With his wealth of surfing knowledge and experience the club should do well. It will be well guided in its aims of promoting surfing and controlling surfers in Durban.
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