- The Surfboard
What was once a ritualistic, spiritual experience for the early Hawaiians and Polynesians in the construction of their surfboards has now become a multi-billion dollar industry with technologically advanced materials, sponsorships and celebrity. The surfboard has gone through as many changes as the culture of surfing progresses. The ancient Hawaiians constructed either 'Olo' (boards reserved for chiefs and royalty) and 'Alaia' (rode by commoners) out of wood from the Ula, Wili Wili or Koa trees. The construction of these boards was ceremonial and utmost respect was given to board makers. - Great Women Surfers
In Polynesian times of the early 1600s, men, women and children would surf the Hawaiian waves together in harmony. Although there were males who were dominant in the sport, many women were also prominent. The Hawaiians looked at the sport in an egalitarian fashion, with equal opportunity for excellence and skill. - Early History Of Surfing
If images of the kahuna (experts) ritualistically chanting to the Gods to bring the waves, protect men and women who rode them, bless the carved wood boards, kings and queens battling for wave rights and integration between man and the magic of the sea brings images of the history of Surfing to your mind’s eye, then you must be filled with Aloha, as the Polynesians intended. The history of surfing dates back centuries before the first written account of observing 'the sport of kings' in 1779 by Lt. James King in the ship's log of Captian James Cook's Discovery. - Top Surfing Destinations
Hawaii is the original home of surfing. The Polynesians began the sacred ritualistic sport here more than 500 years ago. Today, Hawaii is home to most of the Big Wave surfing and some of the most coveted breaks exist in this island paradise. - Surfing History
In the early 1900's the Hawaiians organized the Hui Nalu (surf club) and competed in neighborly surf competitions with the Outrigger Canoe Club. This drew a great deal of attention to the Waikiki surf shore, bringing a revitalized interest in the sport, which had fallen out of favor in the late 1800s. Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic star in swimming, popularized the sport further by traveling internationally and showing off his surfing style to thrilled audiences around the world. He was favored by Hollywood elite- having acted in bit parts in films and was always recruiting new surfers wherever he went. He is credited with surfing the longest wave of all time in 1917, in the popular surfing area now called Outside Castles in Waikiki. His 1000 meters plus wave record has yet to be overtaken. - More Surfing History
Although surfing was a male-dominated sport, adventurous women surfers can be seen all the way back to the times of the Polynesian Queens. Two notable 'surfer girls' were Eve Fletcher and Anona Napolean. Eve Fletcher was a California-born animator for Walt Disney and Anona Napolean was the daughter of a respected Hawaiian surfing family. The two pioneered the sport for modern women, winning surfing competitions up and down the California coast at the end of the 50s and into the 60s. - Surfing Origins
In the early 1900's the Hawaiians organized the Hui Nalu (surf club) and competed in neighborly surf competitions with the Outrigger Canoe Club. This drew a great deal of attention to the Waikiki surf shore, bringing a revitalized interest in the sport, which had fallen out of favor in the late 1800s. - Wakeboarding: The New Surfing
Wakeboarding is a sport of the times. A wakeboarder is a person towed behind a boat or a cable skiing lift at a speed of around 18-24 mph. The main difference is that instead of skis, the rider uses a single board, shorter in length and wider than snowboards, with foot bindings.
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