Surfer’s Corner Sixties Reunion

 

The Sixties Surfers Corner Reunion at the Muizenberg Pavilion on 19 March 2010 initiated by Nicky Hough and Charlie Moir went off like a blast from the past.  Not even middle age could disguise these surfers from the 60s.  There must be some truth in the saying:  “You do not stop surfing cause you get old. You get old because you stop surfing”.

Mingling with the reunion crowd of over 500 Sixties Surfers, it was clear that this was not an ordinary reunion.  Friends came from the four corners of the world to celebrate a way of life and `old’ friends in the biggest reunion of Surfers ever in South Africa.  Polite hand shakes between long separated chinas warmed into enthusiastic hugs. In some cases recognition followed exclamations of  “Hey! Man you still have your hair!”

Images of the Reunion can be seen on www.surfpix.co.za and will be sold at R35.00 excl vat per image. The proceeds of the sales will be donated to the WPLSA FOR DEVELOPMENT KIDS THAT NEED TO FUNDING TO GO TO SA CHAMPS 2010 at Seal Point. 

The organisation was excellent Hawaiian dancers, the Beach Boys and local band Fully Chilled and Friends set the scene.  Surfers who had passed on were commemorated in a list of names, and a particularly special tribute was held for John (Oom or Moon) Whitmore who was many things in the surfing world – friend, founder, board builder par excel lance and surf reporter.  “Look at all the lives he has touched – he is living on”, sang Andre de Villiers of Fully Chilled.  It seems to me, as an outsider, that the Sixties Surfers have touched many lives – may their camaraderie and their pioneer spirit live on and on and on….         

For the inside stories become a member of Facebook.  Look for the homepage of the group “Surfers Corner Sixties Reunion”.  At the top of the screen will be a box with an image of 2 peoples torso’s that says “Join”. Click on that box, and Voila, you’re now a member of the group.  You can browse through the more than 90 photos, add more images yourself or ‘Tag’ people in the images so everyone can see their names.You can also scroll through the other members of the group – click on their images and invite them to become ‘Friends’ of your homepage, send them messages, etc. To find the latest information on the group, click on “INFO” and on the page that appears you will find ‘Recent News’ – which currently consists of Bosco’s  memories of the Sixties

If you are not a member of Facebook, it is easy to join provided you have an email account and access to the internet:  Open an Internet page and type in the interactive line, then click ‘GO’ to bring up the Facebook homepage and follow the directions.   

Mingling with the reunion crowd of over 500 Sixties Surfers, it was clear that this was not an ordinary reunion.  Friends had come literally from the four corners of the world to celebrate a way of life and `old’ friends in the biggest reunion of Surfers ever in South Africa.  Polite hand shakes between long separated chinas warmed into enthusiastic hugs. In some cases recognition followed exclamations of  “Hey! Man you still have your hair!”. 

 

The organisation was excellent Hawaiian dancers, the Beach Boys and local band Fully Chilled and Friends set the scene.  Surfers who had passed on were commemorated in a list of names, and a particularly special tribute was held for John (Oom or Moon) Whitmore who was many things in the surfing world – friend, founder, board builder par excel lance and surf reporter.  “Look at all the lives he has touched – he is living on”, sang Andre de Villiers of Fully Chilled.  It seems to me, as an outsider, that the Sixties Surfers have touched many lives – may their camaraderie and their pioneer spirit live on and on and on….         

 

 

For the inside stories become a member of Facebook.  Look for the homepage of the group “Surfers Corner Sixties Reunion”.  At the top of the screen will be a box with an image of 2 peoples torso’s that says “Join”. Click on that box, and Voila, you’re now a member of the group.  You can browse through the more than 90 photos, add more images yourself or ‘Tag’ people in the images so everyone can see their names.You can also scroll through the other members of the group – click on their images and invite them to become ‘Friends’ of your homepage, send them messages, etc. To find the latest information on the group, click on “INFO” and on the page that appears you will find ‘Recent News’ – which currently consists of Bosco’s  memories of the Sixties

If you are not a member of Facebook, it is easy to join provided you have an email account and access to the internet:  Open an Internet page and type in the interactive line, then click ‘GO’ to bring up the Facebook homepage and follow the directions.  

Surfing stalwarts Nick Hough and Charlie Moir’s idea of getting together to talk surf and celebrate the 1960’s heydays of surfing has generated a huge amount of interest. 

Enthusiastic comments on the Zigzag blog include: “What an amazing event, a real blast from the good old past.”  “great concept and hopefully it might be echoed in other locations with a rich surfing legacy like Surfers Corner.”  “I have booked my flight and can’t wait for the reunion.”   Charlie and Nick report that they have over 260 responses so far and Corner locals from France, England, Australia and Canada have confirmed that they are attending.  

 ”The reunion gathering is planned for the evening of the 19 March 2010 at the Muizenberg Pavilion, but this is likely to be just the start of a weekend of surfing history, surfing music and surfing action.  They invite “all surfers, locals, ladies, bums, boys and girls who hung out at the CORNER in the SIXTIES to come and join us for an evening of laughter and memories as we celebrate the good old days.  And it is quickly developing into the biggest reunion in South African surfing history.  Paul Botha, CEO of Life’s a Beach Communication has “volunteered” his services as Media Director for the event.  Paul and Life’s a Beach Communication have covered all the major SA Surfing events such as the Billabong Pro at JBay, Red Bull Big Wave Africa, Mr Price Pro, Gunston 500, Spur Steak Ranch Surfabout any many more. 

 Read Surfers Cnr Media Release