Godfather of the Waves

Mike Larmont is one of South Africa's most influential surfing pioneers - a champion surfer, master board shaper, entrepreneur and adventurer whose career has spanned more than five decades. He founded Larmont Surfboards, co-founded Zigzag magazine, played a key role in establishing windsurfing in South Africa, and helped shape the country's modern surf culture. Revered by generations of wave riders, Mike has travelled the world in pursuit of the perfect wave and the freedom it represents. He lives in Salt Rock, KwaZulu-Natal, where he still surfs whenever the swell allows.

Graham Spence is the co-author of the bestselling trilogy The Elephant Whisperer, Babylon’s Ark and The Last Rhinos, which he wrote with conservationist Lawrence Anthony, as well as No Retreat, No Surrender, with water-sport world champion Oscar Chalupsky. A former journalist and editor from South Africa, he now lives in England.