Homemade baggies became standard surfing gear as locals began emulating their heroes from across the sea.

In 1964 Australia issued an invitation to the first world surfing championships, and legend has it that when Safari surfboard pioneers Max Wetteland, Harry Bold and Baron Stander received a letter from Down Under asking for the name of the South African champion, they drew straws to decide which of them would go. It was Max who ended up at Manly Beach.

In 1965 a governing body named Surfing South Africa was formed. The timing could not have been better. As surfing continued to spread across the globe, South African surfers and waves were at the forefront of the movement.

The release of Endless Summer put us on the map, and the east coast quickly became a bucket-list destination for surfers worldwide.

Five decades later, Surfing South Africa is celebrating its golden anniversary after hosting the 50th South African Championships.