Paul Naude and Ernie Tomson talking shop at an event at the Cabanas in Umhlanga in the late seventies.
Much is said about South African surfing history. But any conversation that did not include the name Tomson or Naude would be incomplete. Long before the world tour started, both Ernie Tomson and Paul Naude where putting down tracks from which surfing would eventually grow to become the global entity that it now is.
Besides being father of Shaun, 78 ISP World Champion and Paul, Ernie nurtured a group of surfers loosely called ‘The Bay Surf Club’, instilling in them a sense of commitment, loyalty, competitiveness and sus that turned a bunch of boys with talent into world beaters. He put his eye over just about any kid with some talent around at that time, often passing a word of encouragement or some well grounded criticism. You might hear stories, word for word, to this day about the private words that he spoke to many. Guys like Chen Sagnelli. He impacted on so many surfing careers.
Too soon gone, we wonder what further impact he would have made had he remained with us for longer. RIP Ernie Tomson.
Paul was one of those whose benefitted. Later to become a mogul in globally branded surf gear, Paul was one of the original Bay Bowl groms who went on to establish a reputation at Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii, placing third in the finals of the World Cup or was it the Smirnoff back in the mid seventies.
Paul glassed surfboards at Mike Larmont’s 98 West St shop, started Zig Zag Magazine, became a gifted surf photographer, worked for Gotcha then went overseas to expand his career in the rag trade in the Southern Californian boom times, twenty five or more years ago. Mike Larmont tells of the time in the early days when he and Paul would be nackered from surfing all day but still have to catch up on production at the board factory at night. Paul might have surfed a lot in those days but his work ethic was enormous thanks in part to his cohort’s zeal and in part to the influence that people like Ernie had on him in his formative years. It’s never changed. Mr. Energy.
Nowadays, after a time at Billabong as top man in the US, he has started Vissla, a new Californian based brand that looks like it has the man’s signature all over it. For that, its bound to be a success.
Paul has an astounding collection of surfboards that rivals the some of the best in the world.
By Patrick Flanagan
Paul won the Smirnoff Pro Am at Sun set beach
There are many more names I could add to this great piece thanks Carla Ginz Errol Hickman Glen and Peter Milne and his wife Hynes and Spider and many more but my memory is a little sketchy Paul is going to do great with Vissla…..the only trouble he faces is surf business right now sucks ….its all these memories that are drawing me back home….Durban is a magic place warts and all
There are many more names I could add to this great piece thanks Carla Ginz Errol Hickman Glen and Peter Milne and his wife Hynes and Spider and many more but my memory is a little sketchy Paul is going to do great with Vissla…..the only trouble he faces is surf business right now sucks ….its all these memories that are drawing me back home….Durban is a magic place warts and all
I have just had the pleasure of spending some time with Paul and Debs ( behind every great man!!!!!!),and attending his sons wedding.Same attitude and ethic still applies.
Great man and friend. I am sure he would love for me to let you know he won’t be turning 60 anytime soon.,
Awesome article-
Zot
Mike Espisito
Kenny Andrews
Sean Holms
Rat
Tea & tosted buns at Dantes.
Timmy Embelton.
From 101; Tramps; Kontiki; Wedge; Dairy and Bay.
The days between competitive surfing and alternates.
Dreamy schit.
North before open to bathers…
Mind pictures.
I remember climbing out of the left break Kon-tiki in front of the Blue Grotto – with Zot to watch mike espo & jeff saunders and the “wedge gang: from the pier; them ripping…dancing
Hard living days. Elbowing your way up from grom vetchies…to 101 and pump house etc upto the hallowed bay of plenty…agro at each step of the ladder..rightfully so by each local crew.
Stripes hard earned.
Until graced by Paul at Ernies flat for breakfasts. Filled with memorabilia.
Heady daze indeed.
Thank you chen. Thank you Zot – i still miss you today…
Being in the midst of heady days of surfing revolution. Was a joy & privelgde.
And to all the unamed; from vetchies to battery beach.
Thank for shaping my life.
As a ballie i still enjoy a bodysurf session at addington.
Unable to surf.
Thank you.