Author and surfer Miles Masterson dedicated over a decade to piecing together John Whitmore’s story in a new biography, The Oom.
South Africa (30 September 2025) – Surfing in South Africa has always carried a spirit of adventure, discovery, and community. This can be traced back to South African surf pioneer, John Whitmore, affectionately known as The Oom.
Recognised as the father of South African surfing, John Whitmore is remembered for his waves and for opening the ocean up to generations of surfers who followed.
John was the first to ride waves along South Africa’s Atlantic coast and is credited with discovering iconic surf spots such as Jeffrey’s Bay that has seen massive surf events like J-Bay Surf festival. Not forgetting the iconic Bruce’s Beauties.
His passion did not stop there. His travels and connections in the 1960s brought him into the circle of the “Dana Point Mafia,” the Californian surf royalty of the era. That link inspired Bruce Brown’s The Endless Summer, one of the most influential surf films of all time.
Now, his remarkable life and impact have been captured in a new biography written and self-published by author Miles Masterson. Titled The Oom, the book is the culmination of more than ten years of research, writing, and passion.
An avid surfer himself, Miles dug deep into Whitmore’s world, piecing together his life of colour and adventure. He used scrapbooks, family photographs, and rare video footage, while also conducting interviews with more than 120 people who knew or surfed with John.
The result is a vivid, heartfelt biography painting a portrait of a man whose influence stretched beyond the shoreline.
Packed with stories, anecdotes, and insights, The Oom is a piece of South African cultural history.
Through the book, John Whitmore’s legacy continues to ripple outward.
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