The book is also
entertainingly written with a flow that makes it difficult to put down. (Review
by Keith Millar)
With a subtitle of The
Life and Times of a Surfing Legend and a blurb suggesting that it is For
Surfers, Dreamers and Rebels alike, this the story of the ultimate ride, one
may imagine that this a book would only appeal to very much a niche market –
the surfing community.
However, I think it is more than just that. Mike Lamont is a force of nature. He is a man of perseverance, resilience and courage and this is displayed in spades in this autobiography. There is no area of ocean sports that has not borne his stamp in one way or another.
The book is also entertainingly written with a flow that makes it difficult to put down. This, I suppose, is because of the input from ghost writer Graham Spense. His previous credits include books with conservationist Lawrence Anthony and world champion paddler Oscar Chalusky.
But back to Mike Lamont. His involvement in surfing started in the 1960’s and now spans over five decades.
He started as a teenager shaping surfboards with bread knife and this eventually developed into his surfboard manufacturing company, Lamont Surfboard’s, which became one of the biggest in the industry. He also got involved in other aspects of the industry such as Rip Curl wet suits and a variety of other surfing supplies and apparel. He also published the leading surfing magazine, Zig Zag, for many years
He also organised and sponsored many surfing tournaments and managed and coached springbok surfing teams and was instrumental in the development of windsurfing in the country.
Lamont was a world traveller always on the lookout for the perfect wave. Along the way, he met international surfing legends and personalities. The book relates many stories of these encounters and the adventures he experienced.
So, more than just a surfing book, Godfather of the Waves.is an inspiring story about true grit, determination and ambition and is filled with adventures and many unforgettable characters.
Godfather of the Waves is published by Penguin Books. The ISBN is 978 1 7763 9272 8 and the Recommended Retail Price is R340.00 - Keith Millar
Posts
