From the golden beaches of Durban to the thunderous waves of Hawaii’s North Shore, Godfather of the Waves charts the extraordinary life of Mike Larmont – the man who shaped South African surfing in every sense of the word.

Raised on South Beach, Larmont’s ocean odyssey began with borrowed surf mats and a dream. By the time he was a teenager, he was hand-shaping boards with a breadknife, launching a movement that would define a generation. His story surges from the heady surf culture of the 1960s and ’70s – a time of wild waves, wild parties and fierce freedom – through the challenges of sporting isolation in the 1980s, to the renaissance that followed.

Along the way, Larmont became a world traveller and entrepreneur: making connections with local and international legends, manufacturing boards and other surfing gear, running the local franchise of global brands such as Rip Curl, co-founding Zigzag magazine, spearheading the rise of windsurfing in South Africa, and coaching South African surfers in world championships. His journey is one of grit and grace – from underground shaper to international icon, surviving shootouts, wipeouts and the relentless tides of change.

Told with honesty, humour and heart, Godfather of the Waves captures the untamed spirit of surfing and the soul of a man who never stopped chasing the next perfect ride.

With a racing career spanning more than four decades, coming second is never an option for Peter Lindenberg. Troubled by a lack of self-confidence, Peter’s ‘average’ childhood saw a bitter parent who doubted his abilities, a demanding school system that forced him to fit the mould, a younger brother who was better at everything, and brutal, undeserved beatings with a sjambok. But when Peter tasted the buzz of barefoot water-skiing he found it impossible to resist, and went on to break records, earn numerous Springbok Colours, and win many world championships. This, however, was just the start.

Little did Peter know the sporting magic that would follow in his life – first as a powerboat racer and then as a race car driver. Despite counting on pins and metal to hold his battered body intact, being arrested unjustly, a serious motor racing accident with his car going up in flames, and a brain haemorrhage, Peter keeps going flat out and quickly ranks on the international championship charts, cheats death twice, and presses the reset button to positively influence a failed marriage.

Flat Out and Fearless is Peter’s cut-to-the-chase life journey that has rendered him one bionic man who is proud of his blatant honesty and his courageous quest to uplift and transform the lives of the downtrodden.

Before commercialism steps further into the surfing industry, somebody had to record and picture the most basic product of the sport! Thoroughly entertaining and informative, this unique book chronicles the story of surfboard wax -- from surfers' early use of household candle wax through the advent of a whole industry devoted to achieving the best traction. Meet the colorful individuals behind the "Big Three" wax companies -- Surf Research, Mr. Zog's, and Mrs. Palmers -- and read about their early manufacturing and marketing ventures. Amusing stories about these and other wax pioneers fill the pages of this book, along with over 300 full color pictures of the wax and its original packaging, from extreme to mainstream! "No 'big wig' interpretations, no one to sway your spending, no marketing gurus with predictions from their laptops, no chocolate iPods... just the wax, jack." Enjoy!

Surfing has inspired fantastic and colorful graphic designs to advertise surfboards, surf shops, wax, wetsuits, magazines..., even skateboards and snowboards. Here are more than 1,250 to challenge collectors, inspire artists, and charm the surfing crowd. Written by a veteran enthusiast who knows his way around the surfing world, this exhibit-in-a-book, from many private collections and institutions, is the most comprehensive surf show ever attempted. Here are stickers, patches, and decals from before 1920 until today, documenting the history of surfing worldwide and providing classic and original designs of great beauty and style. The big-name surfboard makers are here, and the shops, organizations, and beaches are represented, from Hawaii to Mexico to Florida. Surfing movies, plastered cars, lifeguard stands, and icons who popularized the sport, from Duke Kahanamoku (1920s), to Greg Noll (1960s), to California Girls (always). Be startled with the creativity these designs show and enjoy them. Surfing has had a dynamic influence on modern life, and it is all captured here in its graphics.

Breathtaking photography is combined with inspirational profiles of female surfers from around the world in this uplifting celebration of self-love, sisterhood, and body positivity.

Beauty standards play a significant role in most aspects of society—especially in the world of surfing. This inspirational book pays tribute to women in the surfing community who are breaking down those barriers and living their best lives on and off the water.

Reaching across five continents—from Australia, Japan, and Bali to France, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States—this book features stunning photographs that capture the beauty and power of the ocean and the joyful essence of a diverse array of surfers. And it offers remarkable stories of life-changing experiences, struggles, and achievements of women navigating surf culture on their own terms.

A manifesto for a new era of fearless, empowered women who redefine beauty one wave at a time, this book is a must-read for female surfers, women interested in surfing, and anyone passionate about inclusivity and diversity in sports.

Join the quest to surf the biggest wave in history. Welcome to Nazaré, home to the big-wave surfers risking it all – their search to ride the Everest of the ocean – the 100-foot wave. Sports journalist Matt Majendie is welcomed into the inner circle of Nazaré's tight community of extreme thrill-seekers, living among them for a season as he chronicles their incredible highs and terrifying lows. Join a cast of fascinating characters, from surfing scientists to big-wave addicts, as they battle fear, each other and nature itself.

For twenty years, Miki "Da Cat" Dora was the king of Malibu surfers--a dashing, enigmatic rebel who dominated the waves, ruled his peers' imaginations, and who still inspires the fantasies of wannabes to this day. And yet, Dora railed against surfing's sudden post-Gidget popularity and the overcrowding of his once empty waves, even after this avid sportsman, iconoclast, and scammer of wide repute ran afoul of the law and led the FBI on a remarkable seven-year chase around the globe in 1974. The New York Times named him "the most renegade spirit the sport has yet to produce" and Vanity Fair called him "a dark prince of the beach." To fully capture Dora's never-before-told story, David Rensin spent four years interviewing hundreds of Dora's friends, enemies, family members, lovers, and fellow surfers to uncover the untold truth about surfing's most outrageous practitioner, charismatic antihero, committed loner, and enduring mystery.

This guide showcases the world of extreme surfing, describing the unique culture associated with this daredevil's sport, providing insights into what makes the top riders tick, explaining the science of big waves, and more. "The Pipeline" in O'ahu, Hawaii. "Maverick's Point" in northern California. "Ours" near Sydney, Australia. All over the world, extreme surfers risk severe injury or even death from riptides, shark attacks, and collisions with the seabed itself, just to experience the ultimate high from tackling-and triumphing over-one of the most powerful forces on earth. Surfing: The Ultimate Guide explains the culture of extreme surfing-including the often violent "locals only" mentality-and analyzes the dangers involved in riding the world's biggest and most ferocious waves. The author examines the history of extreme surfing, including past and contemporary heroes; the science of giant waves; the technical criteria for riding them; and the future of big-wave riding. Includes a bibliography of primary and secondary sources and current websites Provides a comprehensive glossary of surfing "vocabulary" Contains an index of names, places, and terms relevant to the sport of surfing

"Caught Inside" is Daniel Duane's account of a year spent surfing in Santa Cruz, California. Following the turn of the seasons, it is also the story of a young man's deepening knowledge of his native landscape and its history. Interspersed with the narrative of days passed on the water are good-humored explanations of the physics of wave dynamics, the intricate art of surfboard design, and lyrical, sharp-eyed descriptions of the flora and fauna that inhabit the Pacific wilderness. In Duane's company are cormorants, herons, gulls, sea lions, whales, and dolphins; with him we learn about the physiology of a pelican's dive, the mating habits of otters, and the obscene contents of a shark's stomach. In a wryly entertaining parallel narrative Duane traces the cultural history of the sport and the settling of California. From Captain Cook and Mark Twain to Robinson Jeffers and Jack London, from portraits of famous (and infamous) surfers to an analysis of the perverse significance of Gidget movies, Duane expertly uncovers the myths and symbols bound up in one of our most vibrant and recognizably American subjects.

Surfing: A Beginner's Guide has been the go-to surf book for beginners since 1996. This third edition, now with the endorsement of Surfing England, takes you through all the vital steps to become a surfer: you will learn where to surf, when to surf and how to surf safely.You will learn the foundations such as choosing the correct equipment, which is essential to make any progress as a beginner; pre-surf preparation, including getting fit with tips and advice; and your first surfer steps on the beach and in the ocean. All these stages lead up to you catching your very first wave and the surfing bug. The sea is renowned for its beauty, but infamous for its dangers. Alf provides you with transferable skills to safely enjoy your new hobby. Safety features heavily in the book, and you will learn all the basic common-sense aspects of surfing that even the most experienced surfer forgets.

Surfing California is your one-of-a-kind guide to more than 200 of the best breaks in the Golden State - from classic surf spots to lesser-known waves. This revised and updated, full-color guide now includes SUP-friendly spots, too--allowing surfers and paddlers alike to find the best breaks and all get along Explore the surf from the Oregon border to the Mexican border, from North Jetty in Arcata to Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz to Huntington Beach Pier in Huntington Beach.

Explore the world's most thrilling waves with Epic Surf Breaks of the World. From Namibia's wind-swept Skeleton Bay to Java's G-Land, discover the best place to 'hang ten', whatever your surfing ability. Accompanied by a series of stunning photographs, maps and beautiful illustrations as well as first-person stories from surf writers all across the globe, including Pulitzer Prize winner William Finnegan, this is the quintessential guide for surfers looking for their next epic break. With 200 destinations, from Australia's Bells Beach to the coral-flecked islands of the Maldives, you're sure to find your perfect break in this 328-page, hardcover book. Plus, we take you to some of the most adrenaline-pumping breaks in the world, including Tahiti's Teahupoo and Mexico's Puerto Escondido, as well as easier options for beginners, such as Taghazout in Morocco, meaning all abilities are catered for. We cover the planet's newest hotspots, such as Bundoran in Ireland, where world-class waves now lure surfers from all across the globe. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, eBooks, and more.