Cape Town beaches are full of ‘wish you were here’ post card moments, from the femme-bots, topless Germans to irritating vendor boys selling granadilla popsicles. If you can find your way through the crowds, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the sport that’s still ruled by the kids – it’s the extreme sport known as skimming…







Trying to educate myself, I’ve spent the last few days watching borrowed DVD’s and YouTube clips of skimmers from around the globe. Aside from realising the speed, timing and concentration necessary, I’ve also become aware of the sheer lack of media exposure this relatively unrecognised sport has. Combining tricks from the street and snow, and since the late ’70s inception of fiberglass boards, skimming has evolved into an extreme sport that grows with every high tide.

This is a subculture determined to keep alive the vibe of the underground – there’s no space here for egos or media sluts, just plenty of room for fun and adrenalin fueled good times – and leading the charge are local Cape Town boys.

Meet B Familiar, an innovator that’s all about “skim boards for skim boarders, made by skim boarders”.  Stew Gardner, member of the skimmers group and known as B Familiar, is committed to keeping the beautiful, raw uncontaminated spirit of this subculture breathing, while pushing ‘local’ styles forward.

I caught up with Gardner, to get a bit of familiarity for myself.

Where did inspiration for starting B Familiar come from?

“I have always skimmed since I was young, but the product has always been hard to get my hands on, or a little pricy. The sport being so huge overseas, I guess we just saw a up-and-coming market in this sport.”

Who is behind the brand?

Well I’m (Stewart Gardner) the shaper and involved in glassing, spraying and sales. My bro Shaun is handling the advertisement and design side, and our dad Frank Clayton, is our voice of reason and manager of B Familiar.

What is B Familiar’s ethos?

We stay away from the industry of mass production, putting passion and attention to detail into each of our boards.

What are your boards made of?

They are shaped from polyurethane foam with two layers of six once fiberglass cloth on the bottom and three layers on the top. We use polyester resin to seal the fiberglass.

Give me three words that set you apart from others involved in the production and design of the boards?
Quality, aesthetic innovation, strength.

Thanks Stew…

Lost amongst white capped mountains and an endless Atlantic horizon, skimmers and surfers share something most of us could never understand. Majestic and omniscient, the ocean makes no allowances for anyone and those who brave her savage waters are considered equal.

With my arm hanging out the window riding the wind’s current, myself and two skimmers are off to share a beer and make the most of the few hours of sunlight. Looking at them talk in smiles; I realize they are two guys part of a sub culture of friends. The ocean is a part of them, it lives in their veins and shines through their eyes, this was never about the money, and never will be.

Let’s keep supporting this subculture of individuals, who are in it together.

Watch out for the new B Familiar website !! I’ll keep you kids posted.








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