Cassiem Collier, South Africa's big wave pioneer

The world #legend gets thrown around a lot but I couldn't think of a better word to describe my #Muizenberg #coach and #wave mentor, @cassiemcollier.

In the classic sense of the term, #CassCollier has done everything a legend should: earned a #worldchampion title as a #bigwavesurfer in 1999, taming giants at #TodosSantos. This would be a feat for anyone, but he had to overcome #apartheid and become the first #personofcolour in South Africa to win a title. From #Dungeons to Madiba's Left, which he named after creating history surfing #RobbenIsland with @armstrong_surfboards, Cass went on to create a #surfacademy for underprivileged kids in Muizenberg, and later coaching.

His genuine passion for teaching, deep understanding of the ocean, wisdom about all the interlinked connections between surfer, waves, the environment and every one of us, made him the best person to be with in the #lineup, sharing jokes and deep thoughts in between sets and epic waves!  Cass I salute you! I leave Muizenberg with a heavy heart, but as you always say 'give thanks': I am grateful you came my way! (thanks @androosta!) ✒📷: @_laurence_b,📷: @zigzagsurf #reallifestoke #freesurfspirit #swellbound