Surfing community, friends mourn local bodyboard legend Graeme ‘Sunny’ Hill

The death of popular Port Alfred bodyboarder Graeme ‘Sunny’ Hill has left a huge void in the lives of his family, surfing community, friends and work colleagues.

Fifty-year-old Hill passed away at home on Sunday night October 22 after a long illness.

Hill, a member of the Kowie Boardriders Club, was born in Johannesburg “but spent a good few holidays in Durban as a youngster where he got used to the surfing scene,” says his surfer colleague and RE/MAX Kowie broker-owner, Warwick Heny.

He described Hill as a funloving and positive individual who was a good relationshipbuilder.

“After getting to know him, I thought I could get him to join me as an estate agent as I thought he had the makings of a successful property agent.”

He said his inkling was correct as Hill went on to excel in this role.

Heny said Hill loved the ocean and he was passionate about promoting the bodyboarding discipline.

“Most guys were traditional surfers but everywhere he went he promoted bodyboarding and kneeboarding disciplines.

“His signature equipment was a ‘handgun’, a small paddle-like item that wrapped around his hand that helped propel him forward.”

Heny said that as employee and colleague it was difficult to put into words the void Hill had left in the office environment.

“He was a positive person and cool around the office. He never said a harsh word about anyone. All he wanted was peace around him.

“He once ran a nightclub in Florida in the US, and worked as pro golf caddie, touring the world with top women’s pro golfer Ashleigh Simon (now Ashleigh Ann Buhai) and was able to use this knowledge to train local caddies at workshops at the Royal St Andrews Golf Club in Port Alfred.”

Hill leaves behind his partner Charli Middleditch.

Today, Thursday October 26, a memorial service will be held for Hill at 1pm at Royal Port Alfred Golf Club.

Friends, acquaintances and the broader surfing community can join a Kowie Boardriders’ memorial paddle-out on Friday October 27 at Kelly’s Beach starting at 3.30pm for the paddle out at 4pm. Attendees are asked to bring along with them a red hibiscus, his favourite flower.