Help local surfboard shaper rise from the ashes after devastating lightning fire

Help local surfboard shaper rise from the ashes after devastating lightning fire

Image supplied by Ryan-Marco

For the past 25 years, Ryan-Marco Herholdt has dedicated his life to designing and creating surfboards while connecting people to the wonders of the ocean through his craft.

But on 30 January 2023, tragedy struck when Ryan-Marco’s Park Rynie workshop went up in flames after a bolt of lightning started a devastating electrical fire that destroyed his tools, his equipment, and a variety of heritage surfboards.

While items of sentimental value can never be replaced, the support of the local community can go a long way in empowering him with the tools of his trade so that he can get his life’s work started up again.

“I wasn’t at the workshop at the time when the lightning struck, but by the time I arrived it was too late,”

he recalled.

“I had close to 30 surfboards in the shop at the time, 10 of which were high-value heritage boards including the first-ever surfboard that I shaped. It’s been a major loss.”

Alongside the surfboards, Ryan-Marco has lost intricate shaping tools that will need to be re-engineered.

“I didn’t have insurance as I’m a small-scale operation and I try to keep my boards affordable for people on the KZN South Coast,”

said Ryan-Marco, who’s been operating from Park Rynie for some seven years.

“I estimate that it will cost around R100 000 to replace all the equipment lost.”

The local community is being called up to help this talented craftsman reignite his passion and get his business up and running again. Despite the devastating loss of livelihood, Ryan-Marco remains committed to his life’s goal of shaping surfboards and helping others achieve that perfect ride.