Hey fellow surfers and surf lovers! Are you up to deep dive with us today in the history of surfing?
Most likely, wave riding has begun ever since human beings started swimming in the ocean.
You may call bodysurfing the oldest type of wave riding. Archaeologists think that ancient tribes in Peru surfed to catch fish about 5000 years ago! Pre-Inca cultures have had the practice to ride a vessel with a wave. By the way, first standing up on a surfboard potentially happened by Polynesians, and it is relatively innovative.
But actually, the modern history of surfing took its path all the way from Hawaii… The art of surfing, heʻe ʻana in the Hawaiian language (heʻe means to surf), ever first was recorded by an English naturalist during his trip to Tahiti in the 18th century!
The ancient Hawaiian people did not think of surfing as an activity, sport, or career. It was deeply integrated into their culture and it was rather an art than anything else.
They referred to it as heʻe nalu („wave sliding”). This art started before entering the ocean as the Hawaiian people prayed to their gods for protection and strength to handle the powerful mysterious ocean. If the ocean was calm, annoyed surfers would ask for the help of the kahuna (priest), who would perform a prayer begging the gods to deliver good surf. Also, the priest would help the surfers in performing the ritual of constructing a surfboard.
In the 19th century, three Hawaiian princes have brought surfing to California: it was during their short break from an educational process in a boarding school. They surfed on custom-shaped redwood boards on the San Lorenzo River.
Sounds inspiring, right? We do also believe that surfing is a whole art, and we’re ready to share these beautiful moments with you!