All aboard!

January 2012. Lightweight skegs, CAD shaping and fin control systems – features of modern surfboard design aimed at producing a technically superiority at high speed. While this computer generated method of creating the modern surfboard is being used by top designers world-wide, purists like Rosh Honneysett of Umhlanga, prefer the authenticity of the Hawaiian Alaia and the glide of wood.

Born and bred in Durban, water and all things surf was part of Rosh’s upbringing. His dad, Cliff, was the first lifeguard in Umhlanga, and then became beach manager under the then Borough of Umhlanga. In 1955 Cliff started making his Dolphin branded wooden surfboards, in the styles of those ridden by Hawaiian legends Duke Kahanomuko and Rabbit Kekai.

While Cliff Honeysett later started building “foam” boards, and was one of the driving forces behind shortboard surfing in South Africa, it was his love of highly polished wood that has set Rosh on his current path.

As a youngster, Rosh was encouraged by his dad to study a trade and after school, and two years in the Navy, he developed his maintenance skills in Tongaat Hulett sugar mills. But working in a factory left precious little time for the ocean and soon Rosh was plying his trade  for himself – and contemplating the next tube ride.

Rosh at home in his workshop

A close-knit family with a passion for surfing, Rosh, dad Cliff, brother Steve and long time family friend Steve Anderson, decided that the Umhlanga surfing community needed to be unified, and in 1984 they founded the Wave Wizards Surf Club.

Institution

An absolute institution for nurturing local surfing talent, the club produced more than 80 provincial surfers, numerous SA champs and some world champs too. “In the beginning, it was about pulling surfers together to have some fun, but the talent in the community was something else and the guys really started achieving great things. In fact Umhlanga has produced more world champions than anywhere else in South Africa,” enthused Rosh.

In 1986, Paul van de Wall joined the club and chaired it in 1990 and again from 1994 to 1998. Then the owner of Aloha Surf, the club made its home in the popular shop becoming the “go to place” for surfers in the area. In 2004 the club celebrated its 20 year anniversary but shortly after that, Paul sold his shop, and the club became dormant, leaving a gaping hole in the Umhlanga surfing community.

Steadfast

In May 2010 however, interest in the club was resurrected when Craig and Ryan Butcher, chairman Jestyn Viljoen and a core of steadfast surfers, committed to reviving the Wave Wizards, giving it a new home in the Hurricane surf store and getting backing for it through sponsorship.

Approved: Applying the classic Dolphin logo to another beautiful piece

Some time in 2009, Rosh and brother Steve, who is currently beach manager at Salt Rock, Ballito, decided to resurrect the Honneysett heritage by making their own replicas of the boards their father made – complete with Dolphin Surfboards logo.

“We use lightweight plantation wood grown mostly in Africa and are really building boards as memorabilia – although you can ride them too!” said Rosh.

The brothers handcraft all the pieces, from solid Alaia and hollow boards, to the 1930s style of wooden frames wrapped in canvas and airplane dope. “We have even made a chair and coffee table out of Alaia and are also working on a large cruising skateboard designed on the principle of the standup paddle board.”

“Surfing gives guys space to breath,” says Rosh. “Life is fast paced and pressurised and surfing allows the whole family to get out and just enjoy being in a natural environment.”

Rosh and Steve will be launching their Dolphin Surfboards website in December, so look out for www.dolphinsurfboards.co.za which will showcase all the Honneysett’s surf-inspired pieces.  *

Fact Box

• Rosh has completed five Dusi Canoe Marathons and 1 non-stop Dusi
• All Rosh’s boards are hand crafted in his garage
• Rosh is getting married in May 2012 to catering entrepreneur Tracey
• He’s in the water every day – either surfing, standup paddle boarding (SUP) or paddling
• An Alaia is a surfboard made of wood used by Hawaiian Kings until late into the 19th century.
• The Wave Wizards Surf Club has nurtured many KZN Team riders, and a large number of provincial and national champions as well as a few world champs.
• The Wave Wizards Surf Club now uses the Hurricane surf store in Umhlanga

Useful info: Hurricane Surf, Home of the Wave Wizards Surf Club
031 335 3760 or  info@hurricanesurf.net

Article by Cara Reilly; pictures by Rein van der Wall