Durban, the birthplace of surfboard riding in South africa, has become the major centre of the sport in the country. within the last year or so the cult has grown so fast that every week-end sees new enthusiasts on the beaches.
The surfers range from journalist and businessmen to young schoolboys and even schoolgirls. Surfing in South Africa is fast catching up on California and Australia.
In these countries surfing is truly a way of life with thousands of devotees. everybody surfs - from frail six-year-olds to their more robust grandfathers. In France and even England the cult is growing.
The United States and Australia have strong surfing associations and Peru and France have also formed controlling bodies.
With the rapid growth of surfing in Durban it was clearly necessary for some sort of control. That is why the Natal Surf Riders' Association was recently formed.
IN REVERSE
Usually with various sports, clubs are formed initially and they they combine to form an Association.
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This process has worked in reverse with surfing in Natal.
The constitution of the Natal Surf Riders' Association has just been drawn up and a general meeting is expected to be called very soon.
Meanwhile the first surfing club has been formed. The inaugural meeting of the Addington Surfing Club was held on Sunday night.
Cliff Honeysett was elected chairman and "Shorty" Bronkhorst secretary. A constitution is being drawn up and the club will apply for membership of the Natal Surf Riders' Association.
GIRLS
The aims of the Addington Surfing club are the same as those of the association - to promote and control surfing. The club intends to restrict its membership to surfboard riders and prospective riders. Girls and women are eligible for membership.
Now that Addington has taken the lead other clubs are sure to be formed. Some are already in the process of being formed.
Durban is the hub of surfing activity in Natal, if not the whole country, but this does not mean that it
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has the best surfing conditions. Better conditions are found up and down the coast.
The popularity of surfing in Durban can be attributed to the nearness of he beaches and the relatively safe conditions. Predicting surfing conditions in Durban is almost impossible, but generally the best waves are obtained from Addington to the "Bay of Plenty", just beyond the North Beach.
FACTORS
This is because a south-westerly wind is more off-shore on this stretch than further north at, say the country Club Beach.
The Durban coastline offers only "beach break" surfing. The waves depend not only on the speed and direction of the wind but on the swell in the sea and the condition of the sea bed.
Surfers are inclined to go around and surf in groups. When there is no surf they loll around in the sun at the "home" beaches. But when the "surf is up" the keen surfers forsake their 'Homes" and ride anywhere.
Surfing is possible all along Durban's coastline but there are recognised places and favourite spots.
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A large sandbank at the Country Club Beach invariably spoils the surf. The waves, when a good ground swell is running are fairly big and break fast. But sometimes in windless conditions, better surf is obtained there than further south.
CONTROL
Most of Durban's best surfers learnt their riding at the Country Club Beach. Surfers like Max Wetteland, Anthony van den Heuvel and Robert McWade.
A few years ago surfers never dreamed of riding at "Dairy Beach." This is the stretch with a "beach" bordering on the Lower Marine Parade, between the South Beach and the North Beach. If a rider loses his board it often smashes against the rocky sea wall.
But now surfers have learnt more control and are able to "cut out" of waves before they reach the rocks. "Dairy Beach" has become a popular spot where very good waves often form.
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The most popular surfing place in Durban is the stretch from Addington Beach to the South Beach. A few Sundays ago someone counted more than 100 boards there.
'GREMMIES'
Addington has long been the beach where "gremmies" battle to learn the fundamentals of surfboard riding. It is about the best place to learn as the waves are not usually as big as at the South or North Beaches.
In the last six months or so, however, a surfing fraternity boasting some promising surfers has grown up there. It is the "home" beach of such surfers as George Thompson, Bernard Wardell and "Shorty" Bronkhorst.
And among the "lightweights" are several up-and-coming riders. This bodes well for the junior section of the Addington Surfing Club.
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