 Local is lekker, and often it’s better. Say howzit to PE bro’s Alan and Gary Cooper, makers of the East Capes only home grown surf wax, Max Wax. How did the whole wax gig come about? Long story short. Sitting round a fire, sipping wine, shooting the breeze with the late Mike Jensen; a photographer friend of mine, when the conversation turned to surfing and other tall tales. After much talk and numerous glasses of wine, we concluded that we were capable of making surf wax as good, if not better than what was available; after all we were inebriated scientists. And so TitWax was born; a play on the word “tit”' which meant lekker, and every man's fantasy. Moulded in the form of a young female breast, our dream was ready to take off.  When did you decide to do it commercially? After the failure of TitWax to hit the moon; though sticky, it was impractical to package effectively, not to mention the pervasive paraffin smell . I then launched MaxWax, an improved, sweet smelling, sticky wax. This happened round about the mid-nineties. And the story behind the name? Again, a play on words; my grandfather's name (figured it would bring me luck) and MAX for maximum traction. Tell us a bit about your wax – your tagline is “bigger and better” Not to be conceited, I believe it is bigger and better than most waxes on the market. ...I have yet to lose traction on my board – even after three non-wax-up surfs.  Am guessing there must have been quite a trial and error process when you first started? Any epic fails? Yep! After selling only a few blocks of Tit Wax we were left with stock that had nowhere to go except on my board. The scented reek of paraffin pushed us to go back to the lab (the fireplace and more glasses of wine, plus some time at the chemistry books). Unfortunately Mike never lived to see the final product. How many versions of the wax do you offer? We offer Tropical, Sub-Tropical, Temperate and Arctic versions.  The Cooper bro's also shape Delve surfboards. Gary shaping his own boards back in the day  Beautiful 7ft6 balsa wood Delve What is the difference between the various types? Obviously they are for specific water temps, but what do you change in the manufacturing process that gives it the necessary characteristics for a particular water temp? The various types are formulated for a specific water temperature range. If I divulged the manufacturing process I would have to send you out at Dungeons on a code RED day!!!! Where can guys grab a block? The wax is available at Surf Art at Supertubes – Garth Robinson's classic shop , Aloe Surf Shop, Country Feeling and Natural Curve in J-Bay. Stockists in P.E. include Surf Centre and The Boardroom. It is also available at St. Francis Boards, St Francis Bay and Just Surfing in Nahoon,East London.... Any plans for global domination? Well, supplying outside of the Eastern Cape!? Aye for sure....looking further afield in S.A. Just gotta sign Kelly and Jon-Jon....then comes world domination!!! Got any team-riders as such? Still shootin' fer Kelly, JonJon 'n company!! However I regard Dylan Stephens, Guthrie Cooper, Gary Cooper, and Garth Robinson as my test pilots !  If it works at Supers it works anywhere! Being ex-PE locals, what were your local surf spots here back in the day? Fence was my spot. Heavy backhand drops and spitting tubes, that was the place. Surfed Humewood, Denvil, Bakebeans, Millers and Pollock Beach stretch, but always came back to Fence.
Win 5 blocks of Max WaxEnter the lucky draw to score a hamper of 5 blocks of Max Wax. Just answer this easy question. Winner will be drawn on Friday 2nd March. *Entries open to South African residents only. Collect your prize in PE or JBay, or cover postage to wherever you at.
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