By Igsaan Salie
The ashes of the father of South African surfing, John Whitmore, are to be scattered in the sea at a special service.
Whitmore, who died on Christmas Eve at the age of 73, was a legend among local surfers.
He grew up in Sea Point before and during World War 2 after moving from Johannesburg at the age of five.
Whitmore and his friends spent their lives at the beach, making and paddling their own canoes, and eventually discovering - without any outside help - how to ride a wave.
He made his first hand-shaped surfboard in 1960, and also launched a local Hobie cat construction business with the late Roy McGregor.
The "Oom of surfing" was known around the Mother City by surfers who tuned in their radios to find out where to catch the best waves of the day.
Whitmore's body has been cremated, and his ashes will be scattered at Glen Beach, Camps Bay after a memorial service on January 12, starting at 8.30am.