While the Springboks’ World Cup win in 1995 helped towards building a positive sporting future for our newly formed rainbow nation, Cass Collier and Ian Armstrong’s victory at the 1999 Reef ISA Big Wave World Champs again demonstrated what the strength of multicultural camaraderie can achieve. Team coach Mickey Duffus described their victory as being “absolutely colossal” in terms of its impact on big wave surfing in South Africa, and this week we pay homage to the brave duo who helped inspire SA’s current crop of big wave surfing chargers.
(Click images to view larger and read articles.)
Cass on the cover of Zigzag Vol. 24 No.1 (circa 2000) at his beloved Crayfish Factory.
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Ian Armstrong getting pitted at K-Bay in Zigzag Vol. 23 No. 5 (circa 1999).
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Throwback to ’99 when Cass and Ian were crowned World Champs in Mexico (Zag 33.7).
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Cass and Ian surf the long left to freedom in Vol. 22 No. 4 (circa 1998).
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Ian warms up for the first Red Bull Big Wave Africa event in 1999 (Vol. 23 No.6)
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Cass Collier profile in Vol. 21 No. 6 (circa 1997).
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Cass on a beast at the Factory. Poster image by Lance Slabbert – 1995.
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Ian and Cass talk about one of their favourite places to charge – Crayfish Factory.
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After impressing in Hawaii in 1990, Cass featured on the cover of Vol. 15 No. 2 (circa 1991).
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A more recent video showing Ian and his son, Max, ripping it up earlier this year.
Ian is still surfing with as much flare and finesse as he ever has.
– Dougal Paterson
classic footage. True pioneers.
http://www.armstrongsurfboards.co.za
Love it Cass!! you know you no.1!!