www.kalkbaybooks.co.za
Thus it was that I met my Polar Bear hero, Lewis Pugh, shortly after the launch of his book Achieving the Impossible. His frozen feats leave the likes of us mere mortals feeling like teddy bears, even me proudly doing my laps in 13' water during winter. He's talking sub zero temperatures here, and all for the environment. Not that he got much chance to talk as he was interviewed by Donald Paul, ex editor of my favourite aforementioned mag, The Big Issue, who was either inexperienced as an interviewer or clearly preferred the sound of his own voice (or does that mark him as a mere male gals!?) Still, I think that all that time submerged in Arctic waters might just have numbed Lewis's brain, for all be he a maritime lawyer and environmentalist of note, he came across as rather stilted, and to my mind, just a little odd. But then I guess you'd have to be somewhat offbeat to endure the conditions he has - and that's not an invitation to say the same about me kids!
I duly bought my copy of his book and queued up to get it signed and shake the great man's hand, shyly confessing my baby polar bear status and offering my services should he require an assistant on any of his future expeditions. (Must've been the free plonk, or else my late life desire for adventure huh, but I still haven't been called for an interview. Maybe just as well!) I enjoyed the book to a point, as the title was, of course, inspirational, but wouldn't put it on my shelf of best loved books. I might just say that I waded through it. Maybe I could take a tip or two from him though, pussyfooting around delicate issues as I do, as he certainly didn't pull his punches when it came to some of his school masters, and I wondered how on earth they'd feel if they were still alive to read his account of his schooldays.
Then, moment of all moments, came the invitation to the launch of Shaun Tomson's book of children's poetry, Krazy Kreatures under my surfboard. Cancel everything, get there come hell or high water, whatever you do Suzy Q. We're talking teen dream here. Shaun and I both hail from Durban (more shocking revelations, only my nearest and dearest know this) yet he inhabited a different world to mine, for a variety of reasons, so our paths sadly never crossed. Shaun was a surfing star from a very young age, already riding the crest of the wave (pardon the pun) as a teenager, who progressed to become a humble and handsome world champion, and a forerunner for the sport. His film Bustin' down the Door shows how neglected or undervalued surfing was as a sport and how he used to struggle, even with his world class status, to attend all the big contests. Of course, as a gal who used to hang around Bay on Durban's North Beach during the July school holidays watching the Gunston 500, (hoping to catch Shaun's eye, of course) I have to giggle at the fact that a cigarette company was the sponsor of such a major sporting event.
I coerced Miss Suzy Q No 1 to join me for the evening on the grounds that she couldn't miss the opportunity to meet this national treasure (of whom she'd never heard, OMG have I failed her as a mother?) and so it was that we bumped into Shaun and his buddy outside the shop on the night. Now Miss SQ 2 is not one prone to exaggeration, but she does say that I fair threw myself at him (she lies, I hope) but it was honestly rather a moving moment seeing one's childhood hero in the flesh. And oh, what a nice guy!! He spoke honestly and movingly of the loss of his beloved son Matthew (how much can a person bear in one lifetime?) and the adoption of his son Luke. One can only wish him and his wife, Carla, much joy in raising him, and, oh dear, no more I can say on that sad subject.
Rather admirably, when Shaun's book of children's poetry was rejected by local publishers, he self published it, and happily signed my copy for me. It's cute, not quite Richard Scarry or Quentin Blake, but it was no doubt cathartic for him to write, and has charming illustrations by Trevor Paul. It was rather heartwarming seeing Shaun gather the little ones in the audience around him and read them excerpts from the book in his specs. I have bequeathed my copy to Miss SQ No 1 on the grounds that I can read it to any grandchildren she or Miss SQ No 2 might give me, in memory of the night I met my teen surfing hero.
Your own dear Suzy Q, wishing you a wonderful long weekend.
Ps. I am also wondering why:
a) when I could comfortably wear a string bikini, I felt so unworthy of the apparel!? and
b) why I never got on a surfboard, being such a fan of the sport. Our job then as wannabe surf bunnies was to sit on the beach waxing the boards for the boys, with never a thought to actually standing on one. A better world for young maidens today. Surf on...
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