40 Years ago in a small shaping bay in Durban, South African surfing legends Paul Naude and Mike Larmont laid out the plans for a magazine that would hold up a mirror to local surf culture and tell our stories. The stories we all share as South African surfers. Zigzag was born in 1976 and now, four decades down the line, we’re pleased to announce that our 40th anniversary issue is on sale now.
Brendon Gibbens features on the cover of Zigzag issue 40.1 (photo by: Andrew Shield)
In anticipation of Zigzag’s 40 year milestone, we reached out to a cross-section of surfers, writers and photojournalists months in advance. A magazine doesn’t turn 40 every day, and we wanted to ensure that we had the content to do the occasion justice. Each person we contacted committed without hesitation. Former world champs, big wave pioneers, aerial innovators and some of the finest commentators on surfing. The response itself was testament to the longevity of Zigzag.
The end result – from Shaun Tomson’s personal recollection on the birth of professional surfing, to veteran photojournalist Shafiq Morton’s never-before published photos accompanying his article ‘Behind the Wire’, as well as Greg Ewing’s evocative images from a surf trip to Liberia, plus much more – is an incredible combination of stories and photos that celebrate South African surfing, which together make for one of our best issue’s yet! Better still, Zag’s 40th anniversary issue is nearly twice the size of our regular magazine – a tip of the hat to the original tabloid size format Zigzag was first published on.
Twice the size, same great price, epic value!
Before you rush out to go and grab a copy, let’s take a quick SNEAK PEEK at some of the features you’ll find inside :
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Feature: THEN & NOW
Quantum leaps, quiet revolutions and blissful stagnation. A look at where we are, 40 years down the line.
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Feature: SURFING IN THE TIME OF EBOLA
Ravaged by war, then struck by disease. But Liberia and its people have so much more to offer – especially if you’re goofy.
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Photo Feature: BIG SHOTS
Moments from right here, right now.
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Feature: BEHIND THE WIRE
Shafiq Morton digs through the archive to deliver a brief history of black surfing in South Africa.
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Feature: THE TAPESTRY OF THE REEF
Why Nahoon Reef remains the spiritual and physical heart of the East London surfing community.
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Feature: TE WILD VIR DIE WILDTUIN
The wild ride of Bunker Spreckels, circa 1975.
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Can’t wait for the mag to hit the shelves at your favourite surf shop? Then hook up a subscription and get the mag delivered straight to your post box! We’re also introducing the Zag ‘Super User’ starting from Zag 40.1, which is for those that want their mag before everyone else (plus a bag full off goodies with each and every issue – see below for details).
