As an impressionable sixteen year old, I wanted to surf and be just like Errol. He was my hero. His surfing, just like his shaping was immaculate, creative and perfectly orchestrated. He was part of the iconic 1966 Springbok team that went to the San Diego World Championships and subsequently lit up the imagination of every surfer in this country. Also he had this red Alpha Romeo Guilietta that I coveted..
Errol was was one of a select band of brothers – him, Max, Ant, Gins, Wowie, PD and Robert that were the first real surf stars on my beach – virtually the inner circle of SA surfing in the mid 60′s. Creators of surf folklore.
Calm and intense at the same time, his mild mannered enthusiasm was infectious. In his life as in his music (he wrote songs and played a mean Fender Strat), he never sought the centre stage, being more content to just be an integral part of the band. Just so long as the music was rocking.
Thousands of surfers will attest to the ultra fine boards he made. His highly crafted shapes where not only admired by all who owned or rode them, but also by other shapers who understood their precision.
In years to come many, many loving words will be written, and spoken of, about Errol. He deserves ever last one. Without doubt he was one of South Africa’s finest surfers and premier shapers. More importantly, he was an outstanding person who impressed, and was admired by, all who knew him. RIP Errol.
Patrick Flanagan
Thanks for that Pat – what a lovely article and photos its much appreciated
It’s an honour to write about him Cheryl. Like many others, I’m sure, I wish I’d spent more time with him. I remember long conversations in Point Road at Max’s Styro factory about his trip to Reunion. Inspired me to go a few years later. Quality times to cherish.
PF so well said buddy you were in the thick of it with us great times.
Have a picture of Errol hanging in my lounge ,look at it everyday and smile
what a great compliment to an awesome human being Errol was just a calm cool dude, I had the honor of growing & seeing amazing surfing from all the names you mentioned Pat thank you. Salute you Errol R.I.P. you legend of note
From Churchill road garages one of the early shaping bays with Max to the many other shaping bays that I followed him to, E was a star shaper and real cool guy. In later years he turned up with a guitar and we we were stoked again. What a man. Sorely missed by all. Thanks for the article Pat.
Nice Pat,
Eroll was the classiest dude among us rifraf.
Always in control both on the wave and off.
Rudi
On the button Bru.
Words cannot begin to explain what an integral part of my life Errol was.
He pretty much inspired me to be what i am today, almost like a father figure!
Never forgotten!!
RIP “E”
i remember @ the beginning of the “short” board era, i had graduated from being one of the addington bellyboard lighties to a 6ft4in double ender moved to the wedge,(with the grace of my older brother),& that’s where life began for me…thx to the “soulful” influence of the crew who hung out there & i carry that influence to this day & just to name a few…Errol Hickman,Robbie McWade,Wowie Platter,Loopy Cerff,Pat Flannagan,Rudi Phoenix,Duncan Carmichael,Cornel Barnett,Peter Danials…& others whose names have faded but whose faces remain
WOW….my comment is a few years late but as real as if it was yesterday.
I never knew Errol personally but he shaped a board for me in the late 70’s (glassed by another) 5’10” pin tail mini gun with a box fin. It was the best board (and respect to shapers of those I’ve had since) I’ve ever had and got ‘eaten’ by the storm water pipe at old Bay (in those days leashes were rope and a sock that was taken off after your leg got stretched a few times!).
I did have one thing in common with Errol….a venetian red Alf Guilietta Exec, so Pat I know why you ‘coveted’ that machine!
It just so happened that my first surfboards I ever grew up on where EHD and the Hickman’s lived just up the road from our local. Sir Hickman was a gentleman in every sense of the word kept his calm soulful composure through life what a legend and gift to the surfing communities. Long live the legend.
What a beautiful tribute and comments. Errol was my brother and its been an emotional read for me.
Thanks to all for the lovely words – all very true.
I’m new to surfing and had an old T&C surfboard made by Errol that I sold on auction. It was in terrible shape And i didn’t know much about it or it’s creator. I was amazed when it sold for good money. Decided to look him up and see why. It seems Errol was a true legend and I’m now kinda sad I sold it but it went to a good home and will be professionally restored so his name can live on. Wish I could have met him. Long live the legend
Growing up and living in Durban in that era, we can truly say that we had ‘paradise on earth’. ‘Tickbird’ a gentle man and very much part of and deserving of the admiration all of us had of the early surfing legends just about a decade ahead of us. It was a fine time to be alive. My mind wanders back to those halcyon days very often. Life has taught me to treasure your memories and live each wonderful experience to the full. The best things in life really are ‘free’ and if ones life is full of memories of incredible moments then we can say ‘we have truly lived our lives well’.
Errol, for me, typified that ‘lassez faire’ attitude that was affectionately known as ‘Natal Fever’.
RIP Brother… see you at the big beach in the sky in due course.