South Africa Rallies Around Beloved Pro Surfer/Shaper Frankie Oberholzer

South Africa’s first freesurfer needs our help.

“Frankie tragically lost his brother a few days before Christmas, then his dog gets run over the following day, and just recently, his garage burnt down,” reports South African surf journalist Craig Jarvis.

But it’s not just personal property that will suffer. Frankie’s garage fuels a small but loyal community of surfers, shapers, and fishermen.

“Frankie’s livelihood was in that garage. He shapes boards, makes fishing lures and fishes for a living. All his equipment and materials went up in flames,” Jarvis continues. “And to top it off his car was parked right outside the garage which also went up in flames and is a right off. Those that know Frank and his family that they are salt of the earth people. We as a community are asking those who can to please help by donating whatever you can to this campaign to help ease the pain that Frank is feeling right now.”

“Frankie is one of the OG’s of freesurfing in this world,” Jordy Smith says.

Frankie Oberholzer made a name for himself in surfing when he stepped away from competition in the 1990s to join Rip Curl’s “Search” program, following Tom Curren and Derek Hynd around the world. He starred in three marquis films at the time: “The Search” in 1992, “Beyond The Boundaries” in 1994, and “Tripping The Planet” in 1996.

Since stepping away from surfing’s public eye, he’s focused much of his attention on his surfing/fishing business and his family, including pro surfer Koby Oberholzer.

You can help keep Frankie’s business afloat by donating at the link here.