ALMOST 50 years after a small group of surfers gathered in a Lilliput house to fight for their sport, the club is still going strong.

The Wessex Surf Club, which began in 1964, has this month welcomed back seven of its founding members, who range in age from 62 to 78 years old.

The visitors shared first-hand experiences from the early days of the club, when there were rumours that the council could ban the ‘dangerous’ new sport.

Club chair Gary Elford said: “We invited the old boys along to have a talk to our current members, and anyone who was interested, about the origins of the club and surfing on the south coast.

“This is one of the oldest established surf clubs in the country, so it’s played an integral role in the early history of British surfing.

“It was brilliant to have some of the founding members come along to tell us about the beginnings of our club.”

Mr Elford said there were likely only a few guests at the original meeting, but now the club boasts more than 60 members, and is open to anyone interested in the sport.

“The feedback to the original members’ visit has been absolutely great,” he said.

“From their point of view, I think they’re amazed that this club is still going almost 50 years later.

“The main reason they started it in the first place is because back in the day, there was talk that the council was looking to ban surfing locally.

“At that time, it was seen as a dangerous sport that could be hazardous for people swimming in the sea.

“The club was started to represent surfers and make sure they had a voice. Today, there’s no difference – that’s what we aim to do.”

But there is still one member of the original club Mr Elford is desperate to track down.

“The true founder of the club is Tony Beale, and I’ve been trying to find him,” he said.

“He arranged the first meeting, and it was held at his house.

“He is related to the Beale family, who started the store, but I have no idea if he is still in the area. It would have been really nice to have him along too.”

The Wessex Surf Club welcomes anyone interested in surfing to the monthly socials at On The Rocks in Beacon Road, Westcliff, which are held on the second Thursday of the month from 8pm.