Book - THE OOM

‘The Oom – The Biography of South African Water Sports Pioneer John Whitmore’ is the illustrated life story of a man who made a massive impact on several ocean-based water sports in the country from the 1950s to the 1980s.

The first to ride a surfboard on the Cape Atlantic coast, John Whitmore created the country’s first surfboard brand, discovered many iconic local surf breaks, including Elands Bay and Jeffreys Bay, and founded Springbok surfing, influencing generations of surfers to follow.

John became widely known for his daily surf report on Radio Good Hope from 1965 to 1985. His starring role in Bruce Brown’s The Endless Summer (1966) spread his fame internationally. Also known as ‘The Doyen’, John introduced the Hobie Cat and the Morey Boogie to South Africa in subsequent decades, transforming the country’s relationship with the ocean.