July 2025 update – Officially titled: ‘The Oom – The Biography of South African Water Sports Pioneer John Whitmore’ the book has been published!
Order your copy at www.johnwhitmorebook.com
Testimonials:
“The book keeps you thoroughly engrossed until the end. Highly recommended for anyone interested in finding out more about John Whitmore and the origins of the sports he influenced. It really is a remarkable piece of journalism.” – Steve Pike, John Whitmore Biography editor.
The manuscript has also been read by Dick Metz, US surf industry legend, lifelong friend of John Whitmore and founder of the Surf Heritage and Culture Center in Laguna Beach, California. Dick has wholeheartedly endorsed the book.
“Miles has done an amazing job. I was especially impressed with all the research he has done. What a great read, I can’t wait to see the book published.” – Dick Metz, US surf legend, SHACC founder.
Watch the video below to find out more about the John Whitmore Book Project:
Book Sponsorship
We have a limited number of sponsorship slots available in support of the John Whitmore Book Project. Please take a look at our sponsorship proposal for more information.
If you are interested in supporting the John Whitmore Book Project please contact milesmasterson@gmail.com or + 27 (0) 79 966 2548.
Thanks, Miles Masterson – January 2025.
Click on the icons at the top of the page to follow The Oom on social media and sign up for email updates here:
The John Whitmore Book Project
Aloha and welcome to the John Whitmore Book Project website, dedicated to the publication of the life story of South African watersports pioneer John ‘The Oom’ Whitmore. John was a man who undoubtedly lived a life worth documenting in book form.
Also known as ‘The Doyen’, John was the driving force behind many notable firsts in South African water sports and beach culture. Among his many achievements are pioneering skin diving in Cape Town, being the first person to surf a wave upright on a modern surfboard on the entire West Coast of Africa, building the first foam surfboards in Cape Town, forming the first Springbok surfing teams and introducing Hobie Catting to South Africa. For a list of at least 27 things John accomplished in his incredibly productive life, please click here.
John ‘The Oom’ Whitmore left a positive legacy for tens of thousands of South Africans. This website has been created to showcase the progress that has been made so far on documenting his fascinating life story and to gain support for the book project. The manuscript is currently complete and production has begun. The book will be published in early 2025.
Pre-order your copy at www.johnwhitmorebook.com
Of course, if you are at all familiar with John and all of his incredible contributions, you probably already knew all of the above – but if you don’t know who John Whitmore is or want to know even more about him, please click here.
Otherwise, please sign up to our newsletter, to receive notice of future blog updates (see here) and outtakes from the book, as well as exclusive offers we will introduce soon – including Whitmore branded products.
Please also share the cause with your networks, and let us know if you can contribute to our research or photographic archive. You can also contact us to make a financial contribution or back the project through a donation (click here) or sponsorship (click here), or to offer any other kind of support (please click the link to support page here and below).
Otherwise please take a tour of this site and play a small part in creating something unique and special in 2025: The John Whitmore Book Project.
Many thanks,
Miles Masterson (Author), January 2025
John Whitmore Book Pre-Orders
Pre-order to become a proud owner of a unique limited edition biography documenting the incredible life of ‘The Oom’ for R495, out April 2025.
Pre-order your copy of the John Whitmore biography at www.johnwhitmorebook.com
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The John Whitmore Book Project 
Hi Miles. I have an interest in John Whitmore’a impact on surfing in SA. I have had one of his boards, not with a logo on, but with the line on it “Shaped by the Oom.” That board used to talk to me… what a board!
More importantly, I have a marine ply twin fin body board, logo and all, still in very good condition. I had a chat to him before he died, re this. He said he made about four of them in approx 1963. That board is as old as me!
Do you know anything about these Bodyboards? I’m in Somerset West, so if you’re still in Cape Town, I’m happy to connect with you.
If it can add value to your story on him, I’m happy to assist in this regard.
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hi Haydn you can call me on 079 966 2548 or email milesmasterson@gmail.com, Cheers
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Hi Miles,
Most interesting read in blogs. Margaret Smith was my sister (passed away recently). I had just returned from an apprenticeship as a Ships Officer aged about 19 and Margie being 5 years younger, and already had the SA Ladies under her belt an on her way to California.
My older brother, not interested in surfing, was still in the throws of making a hollow ply board, and once completed
him, his mate and myself went down to Muizenberg to try it out None of us could surf but as it happened a school friend of mine was a lifeguard , (Robin Soloman)) and took it to sea. While I watched, it was almost a religious experience as I had never seen surfing, and I was (and still am!!) totally hooked on the sport. Most of the Capetonians I surfed with were a younger bunch including top young surfers of the period such as Piers Pittard, the brilliant if erratic Donald Paarman, and have always followed the career of a real young kid at the time (8 or 9 yo) but fearless kid, johnathon Paarman who I believe won a big wave Comp at outerKom at a very young age.
Shortly after, I spent 6 weeks at Jeffery’s bay before going to Oz to surf.
While at Jefferys Bay I was introduced to an Aussie surfer Darryl Holmes and later in that idyl l also met another damn good goofy who loved a bigger wave. Name: Gordon Merchant whose feats in creating Billabong are legion
I ended up in Sydney and as the short board turned to a thruster I felt totally liberated riding the Bower (not too big!) as I lived close by. Rode 6’10″until I was about 5o after which medically I was forced out, tried a mal again, hated it so gave it away.
If I can assist in any way please advise.
Regards Alex
AKA Slacky in the Cape Town surfing community. at the time
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Hi Alex, thanks for the post, very cool to hear from you! Cheers, Miles
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Hi! I like your site ! I come to RSA since many years and so I was at johns paddle out at Glen beach when he unfortunately passed ! I really would like to have a board,like 9.0 -9.4 shaped by him as a reminder! Please could u help!?
Kindly regards Anderas Behrens
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Hi Andreas, second hand Whitmores do pop up from time to time, sometimes on the Facebook group dedicated to him – join the group and then you will be notified! `https://www.facebook.com/groups/68226555408 cheers Miles
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