02/11/2024
I first met Cyril Budd in 1991, at the top of the stairs leading up to the Surf Toy factory on Stamford Hill road in Durban. Cyril was the Gatekeeper to the factory he shared with his business partner, the late Peter Daniels. I had R745 in cash in my pocket to pay for my first custom surfboard and was ready to hand it over. But my grandfather, who had given me a lift to the factory, insisted I gave him the cash, and he would pay Cyril by cheque. I was so embarrassed- I wanted Cyril and Peter to know I had worked hard and saved up to pay for my own board, and it wasn’t paid for by anyone else!
Still remember that 6’3” custom that PD had shaped and Cyril had glassed- it made me fall in love with board building.
The photos above are ones I took of Cyril in their last Durban factory, before him and PD relocated to Pukas in Spain. They were for PD’s website and I also took pics of PD, the late Errol Hickman and Cyril’s son Luke (an incredible and experienced board-building talent himself) shaping in the bays.
Cyril was one of the world’s best board builders- and he has influenced and touched many who he passed skills on to.
To me he was straight-talking and unapologetic, but humble and warm, a generous guy. He made everyone feel welcome and he lifted people up. Bloody great sense of humour and a gentleman when it mattered. For me, he only left good memories.
To Jenny, Luke and Simon- Big Love 🙏❤️
R.I.P. Cyril, and thanks for the ride 🌊🍻😎🤙
