My journey with the ocean began long before I ever stood on
a surfboard. As a child, I was irresistibly drawn to the water, spending
countless hours at our family’s holiday home in Sandbaai, near Hermanus. The
rock pools became my first classroom, where I discovered the rhythms of the sea
through bodyboarding, diving, and exploring the shallows in search of
Perlemoen, Crayfish, Crabs, and Octopuses.

That early fascination grew into a love for sailing and
inflatable boat racing, but my true connection—surfing—came much later. At the
age of 39, while living in Durbanville, I began taking my children to the beach
daily to surf. For me, it wasn’t just about catching waves; it was about
creating meaningful father-and-children time. Starting the sport later in life
meant I had to work tirelessly to master the technical aspects of surfing. By
carefully deconstructing and practicing the mechanics, I developed a unique
approach that became my greatest strength as a teacher.

As other parents noticed the progress and camaraderie, they
began asking me to include their children. What started as a simple family
activity soon grew into something much bigger—the Durbanville Surf Club. At the
end, the club welcomes up to 65 children each week, sharing the joy of surfing
at popular spots such as Big Bay, Melkbosstrand, Van Riebeeck Strand, and
Muizenberg.

The ocean has always been my teacher, and through the
Durbanville Surf Club, I’m proud to pass on that knowledge, passion, and
respect for the sea to the next generation.