"As surfers we have no official position on the World Conference Against Racism," Mondriaan explains. "Surfers are very laid back. We don't care what color you are. But if you steal from our store, we're going to beat the living daylights out of you."

"Right up until the beach cops arrive to save you," Hosiana confirmed.

The son of a Johannesburg nurse and a father who taught chemistry at a university in Valencia, Spain, Hosiana has lived in Durbin since 1995, after earning an Honor's Degree in Business Science at a university in Johannesburg.

"My father was exiled from this country for his political activism. My mother was our strength. She told him to do what is right, now matter what would happen to us." Hosiana explains. "I grew up overseas. I lived in Spain, where I learned to surf and in the States. I loved Long Beach, California. The surfing is great there."

"I've been working in this shop for 3 1/2 months and I've never actually seen him in the water." Mondriaan interrupted with a teasingly mischievous smile.

Originally from Holland, Mondriaan moved to South Africa when he was "yea big -- about 2 1/2 years old," he explained holding his hands approximately 2 feet apart. The great-grandson of legendary painter, Piet Mondrian, Rian claims that the second "a" was removed "to make the name sound more French."

Though he owns none of the paintings that made his great-grandfather one of the most innovative artists of the 20th century, Mondriaan is rich with a sense of humor about his famous name.

"I heard about the Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles and tried to book a room. I thought it would be fun to stay there. When I called to reserve it, they assumed I was joking when I said my name. Then they told me how much it costs. Guess what? I can't afford to stay there," he screamed with the demonic laugh that makes his colleague smile.

"He is our craziest salesperson," Hosiana explained. Crazy or not, Mondriaan is obviously saddened when he hears tourists talk about South Africa's reputation for danger.

"This country is not nearly as dangerous as people think. I've been shot," he mentions casually, while revealing a large scar on his chest. "Why? Because I was in the wrong place, at the wrong time and I should have known better than to be there."

In addition to loving the country, both Mondriaan and Hosiana are enthusiastic about the Surf Zone shop. "Some of the delegates and conference attendees have been down here to buy t-shirts, but they always bring their guards or attendants," A.J. explains. "What they should do is stop in for a surfing lesson."

Owned by four-time world kneeboard champion, Clinton "Gigs" Celleirs, the Surf Zone offers one hour lessons for 150 Rand. The first class covers the essential basics of the sport.

"Our instructor, Kevin Olsen recently took five Austrians out into the surf for a beginner's lesson and all five were standing in less than one hour," Hosiana bragged. "It's all a matter of having confidence and being relaxed," he explains.

Though Durban's New Pier is the site of the "Mr. Price Pro" international competition, native South Africans never win. This year's winner was Brazilian.

"There are a lot of reasons," Mondriaan explains. "The biggest is that our surfers don't get the sponsorships they need. Instead of being in the water all day long, they have to work a separate job to support themselves."

Though neither Mondriaan nor Hosiana are willing to comment on the WCAR on behalf of the worldwide surfing community, both have personal opinions that they freely share.

"I think it is a whole lot of hoopla," Mondriaan opined. "What the hell do they think they're going to get out of it? The people of the Middle East have been fighting for 2000 years. Do they really think we're going to solve it all in one week?"

"I think it's outrageous that the Americans left," Hosiana added. "They control the world. They have the most powerful army. I think it is unreasonable and outrageous that they left."

With those opinions both men were gone to help a customer, a Pakistani delegate and his guard who were in the shop to purchase a t-shirt. If only the rest of the world could work so compatibly.