Surfers around the world are mourning the death of legendary champion East London wave rider and businessman Dave Fish.
Fish, 65, died of a heart attack on Saturday after riding his last swell at Seal Point at Cape St Francis on Friday afternoon.
His son Simon said his dad, who underwent heart surgery in 2014, took ill on Saturday and suffered a final heart attack while doctors were trying to put another stent.
Simon said his father had woken up on Saturday morning “not feeling great”. He said his mother Judy, an artist, had taken him to the doctor for an electrocardiogram (ECG) but he died in Port Elizabeth later that day.
Fish was revered as a mentor to many surfers and was the inaugural SA masters over-60 champion. He was and part of a revolution which saw surfing emerge from a wild culture of rebellion into a disciplined, lucrative and popular professional sport.
He was involved in the establishment and development of the Border Surfriders’ Association (BSA) and its rise to become eight-time winners in a row in the masters’ divisions, and was part of a movement in the 1980s to make judging at competitions more objective and professional.
Fish was also one of the first to surf breaks like Yellow Sands and brought surf movies like Follow the Sun to the city in 1983 at a time when exposure to international surf culture was rare.
Simon said: “My father surfed a short board like he was 20 years old. People could not believe his age. Surfing kept him young. He went out tearing the waves apart.”
Fish attended Selborne College, graduated from Rhodes University with a B.Comm and travelled the world for a few years surfing fearsome spots like Pipeline and Waimea and doing well in competitions.
“He once worked in a field in Hawaii shovelling dung,” said Simon.
He returned, married Judy in 1979, and established Dave Fish Enterprises, a brokerage he ran from his Harewood Drive, Nahoon home and later St Francis Bay.
Surfing SA general manager Robin de Kock said: Fish had been a “brilliant” surfer since he was 15 and had been one of the country's surfing legends.“He was involved in surfing for about 50 years as an athlete, coach, competitor and official. He is a massive loss to surfing. Losing someone with his experience, wisdom and knowledge is irreplaceable.”
Following a heart attack a year and a half ago, Fish had initially struggled to get back to form but was “stoked” to win the inaugural over-60 division at last year’s SA masters championships in Richard’s Bay.
“He was about to defend his title at his home break at Seal Point this week. Friends who surfed with him late last week said he was surfing better than ever.”
Nahoon surf teacher and photographer Ed Peinke said Fish was a “father figure to many surfers. He was all about respect, discipline and looking up to the elders both in and out of the water.”
The BSA said in statement it was shocked and saddened to lose their legendary “Fishman”, a true stalwart who gave passionately of his time to surfing.
“We have no doubt Fishman will be with the team during this weekend’s SA masters championships.”
David Arthur Fish is survived by his wife Judy and children Amber-Rose and Simon. A memorial service and paddle out is planned for late next week. — /
Legendary East London surfer crests final wave
Fish, 65, died of a heart attack on Saturday after riding his last swell at Seal Point at Cape St Francis on Friday afternoon.
His son Simon said his dad, who underwent heart surgery in 2014, took ill on Saturday and suffered a final heart attack while doctors were trying to put another stent.
Simon said his father had woken up on Saturday morning “not feeling great”. He said his mother Judy, an artist, had taken him to the doctor for an electrocardiogram (ECG) but he died in Port Elizabeth later that day.
Fish was revered as a mentor to many surfers and was the inaugural SA masters over-60 champion. He was and part of a revolution which saw surfing emerge from a wild culture of rebellion into a disciplined, lucrative and popular professional sport.
He was involved in the establishment and development of the Border Surfriders’ Association (BSA) and its rise to become eight-time winners in a row in the masters’ divisions, and was part of a movement in the 1980s to make judging at competitions more objective and professional.
Fish was also one of the first to surf breaks like Yellow Sands and brought surf movies like Follow the Sun to the city in 1983 at a time when exposure to international surf culture was rare.
Simon said: “My father surfed a short board like he was 20 years old. People could not believe his age. Surfing kept him young. He went out tearing the waves apart.”
Fish attended Selborne College, graduated from Rhodes University with a B.Comm and travelled the world for a few years surfing fearsome spots like Pipeline and Waimea and doing well in competitions.
“He once worked in a field in Hawaii shovelling dung,” said Simon.
He returned, married Judy in 1979, and established Dave Fish Enterprises, a brokerage he ran from his Harewood Drive, Nahoon home and later St Francis Bay.
Surfing SA general manager Robin de Kock said: Fish had been a “brilliant” surfer since he was 15 and had been one of the country's surfing legends.“He was involved in surfing for about 50 years as an athlete, coach, competitor and official. He is a massive loss to surfing. Losing someone with his experience, wisdom and knowledge is irreplaceable.”
Following a heart attack a year and a half ago, Fish had initially struggled to get back to form but was “stoked” to win the inaugural over-60 division at last year’s SA masters championships in Richard’s Bay.
“He was about to defend his title at his home break at Seal Point this week. Friends who surfed with him late last week said he was surfing better than ever.”
Nahoon surf teacher and photographer Ed Peinke said Fish was a “father figure to many surfers. He was all about respect, discipline and looking up to the elders both in and out of the water.”
The BSA said in statement it was shocked and saddened to lose their legendary “Fishman”, a true stalwart who gave passionately of his time to surfing.
“We have no doubt Fishman will be with the team during this weekend’s SA masters championships.”
David Arthur Fish is survived by his wife Judy and children Amber-Rose and Simon. A memorial service and paddle out is planned for late next week. — /
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