What could make a day like today better? The fact that it is Friday, the start of the weekend, is always a good sign. However, this particular Friday is June 20, which marks the Surfrider Foundation’s 10-year anniversary of International Surfing Day. Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, and has been fighting for this cause since 1984. In order to promote their cause, the International Surfing Day was born.
Aside from surfing on glorious waves or volunteering with others to clean up a beach, today we’ve put together a list of fun facts about surfing that we hope you’ll enjoy!
For starters, surfing legend and 5-time Olympic medalist Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku, or Duke Kahanamoku for short, is attributed to the widespread popularization of surfing with an international swimming exhibition tour where he would incorporate surfing exhibitions with his visits. The surfboard that Duke rode during these exhibitions was self-crafted from a piece of pine obtained from a local hardware store, which is now retained by the Freshwater Surf Club.
Next fun fact for you – outside of Hawaii, the first person to witness surfing was none other than Captain Cook. During his visit to the Hawaiian Islands in 1778, Captain Cook dedicated two whole pages in his journal to surfing.
Next up…Eddie! “Eddie Would Go” can be seen on stickers and shirts throughout surf spots around the world, but who in the world is this Eddie?
Eddie Aikau was a big wave rider, but more than that he embodied the spirit of Hawaii. In 1978, the Hokule’a, a double-hulled voyaging canoe took to sea to retrace the journey of the ancient Hawaiians. The canoe sprung a leak and capsized south of Molokai.
Eddie took his surfboard and attempted to get help by paddling to Lanai. While the Hokule’a crew was saved, Eddie was never found again. His bravery is honored every year with the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave International.
If you’ve got any more fun surf knowledge to lay on us, write it down in the comments below!
Enjoy some fun in the sun and celebrate all that is great about the beaches we’ve come to love today, tomorrow and throughout the rest of the summer!
Surfs up!
For more information on Surfrider Foundation events in Hawaii click here: http://isd.surfrider.org/events-6/
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