How Did Surfing Begin?

The exact origin of surfing is unknown, but by 400 A.D., people were surfing in Hawaii. The Hawaiian islands are often credited as the birthplace of surfing, although the sport was likely enjoyed in other parts of the world, which were less accessible to explorers. Nevertheless, the lineage of surfing can be traced from the coasts of Hawaii to the worldwide phenomenon that it is today. The British Explorer, Captain James Cook, noted seeing Hawaiian surfers in the 1770s. In 1821, German and Scottish missionaries arrived on the islands. They discouraged the sport, which resulted in it virtually dying out. However, at the start of the 20th century, surfing experienced a great revival, which may have been partly in protest to the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom ~ a surprising political association with the sport. In the early 1900s surfing spread to California, Australia and Britain. The Olympic medalist, Duke Kahanamoku, known as the 'Ambassador of Aloha' is recognized for introducing modern surfing to the world. He even taught Edward Prince of Wales to surf in the 1920s. The American surfing movies of the 1960s showcased the sport as mainstream and, more importantly, 'cool'. More than 1600 years old, surfing is still wildly popular today.

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