The Early Years

Introduction

This is an attempt to trace the origins of surfing in Namibia from the early '60's through to the present.

The surfing community in Namibia has never been very large, so where possible mention will be made of individuals. My knowledge from the '60's through to the mid-80's is possibly the strongest contribution I can make. Beyond that I will depend on others to add to the overall picture.

For convenience I have traced the growth of the sport by capturing it in decades. This might be changed later, but for now let it suffice.

The Beginning: 1961 - 1970

Alan Louw: Swakopmund

The first recollections of surfing, as recalled by Alan Louw and Billy Werth, put the first surfing taking place in about 1963 and came from contacts with surfers in Cape Town and board shaper John Whitmore. Local interest was developed by Alan (from Walvis Bay), Hanjo Bölhke and Billy Werth (from Swakopmund). Alan was fishing from one of the local pilchard boats, and Hanjo teaching at Swakopmund. Billy had come from Rhodesia and worked in Walvis. He rented a small flat from Hanjo. They made their own boards in the beginning - real clunkers - and then brought in the first Whitmore boards. They were joined by Pete Alexander from Cape Town, a local Kommetjie surfer who worked at ?????

Alan Louw, Peter Alexander, Hanjo Bölhke, Billy Werth

The Guns (from about 64/65)

Joc Wagner, Andy Alfheim( 1965 to present), Mike Begley, Bernd Oberg, Jan Riegaardt, Peter (Jack) Lundon, Adolf Mette (? to ? deceased), Bertie Dierking (?), Pat Smith

The Young Guns (from about 66)

Len (Leon) le Roux (1966 to present), Dave (Half Jack) Lundon (1966 to present), Paddy Begley (?)

Early Seventies

Alex Macun (? to 1982 deceased)