John 'The Oom" Whitemore, also known as the 'Doyen' and 'Mr Hobie Cat', was the driving force behind many firsts that shaped much of South Africa's ocean and water sports heritage

A pioneering Cape Town skin diver and the first to ride a surfboard on its Atlantic coast, Whitmore was a true innovator. Among his many achievements, he crafted the country's first foam surfboards, founded Springbok surfing in the 1960s, and introduced the Hobie Cat and the Morey Boogie to South Africa, transforming the country's relationship with the ocean.

John also discovered many local surf breaks, including Elands Bay and Jeffreys Bay, and became widely known for his daily radio surf report from 1965 to 1984. His role in Bruce Brown's The Endless Summer further cemented his fame at home and internationally.

John's efforts paved the way for scores of South African water sports athletes and teams to achieve international success and contributed to the foundation of several ocean-based manufacturing industries that thrive to this day. His biography offers a rich account of the man who helped to establish South African beach culture and inspired countless others to follow suit.

" Miles has put an incredible amount of research and work into this book, which contains a wealth of information and stories about 'The Oom',_ highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about John Whitmore and the origins of the sports he influenced. Engrossing to the end." _ Steve 'Spike' Pike, editor, author of Surfing South Africa (Double Story, 2002) and founder of Wavescape