Some history class? Here you go: With us, you can find out what your history teachers have withheld from you so far!
We start our little surfer journey through time in the 12th century. Because – one is amazed – our beloved “boards that mean the world” existed over 800 years ago. Thanks to artistic cave paintings, one thing is certain: Even the sea-loving Polynesians spent their (short) lifetimes surfing the waves with planks.
Around the year 1720 the surfer feeling moved to Hawaii – and quickly became an important religious component here. The Hawaiians built their wooden boards in the company of religious rituals and thus hoped to earn the protection and benevolence of the gods. However, around 100 years later, strict church customs banned surfing. Man and woman in joint water activity? An immoral waste of time! Thanks to Mark Twain and Jack London, surfing as the “sport of kings” found its way back into the minds of the population. Jack London was an avid surfer himself and founded the world’s first surf club in 1908: “Waikiki Outrigger Canoe and Surfboard Club”. The first lifeguards on the Hawaiian beaches used surfboards as an ideal rescue device for helpless bathers.
Probably the most famous “surfer dude” was “The Duke”. He was one of six brothers, an excellent swimmer, and the best surfer of all the islands. At the Olympic Games in 1912, “The Duke” won 100 meters freestyle in record time and, not least because of his unique surfing crawl style, made board sport more and more popular. From now on there was no stopping surfing: In the 50s and 60s surfing became world-famous. The film “Gidget” (the 1960s) ensured that the number of surfers only increased tenfold shortly after it was broadcast.
And so it came about that the extreme sport of daredevil farmers developed into a popular sport for all those who love waves. The massive, bulky wooden boards have since turned into small surfboards for daring maneuvers. … And of course, a branch of well-paid professional athletes is now leaving the pure hobby sport.
Our customer support team is here to answer your questions. Ask us anything!
Some history class? Here you go: With us, you can find out what your history teachers have withheld from you so far!
We start our little surfer journey through time in the 12th century. Because – one is amazed – our beloved “boards that mean the world” existed over 800 years ago. Thanks to artistic cave paintings, one thing is certain: Even the sea-loving Polynesians spent their (short) lifetimes surfing the waves with planks.
Around the year 1720 the surfer feeling moved to Hawaii – and quickly became an important religious component here. The Hawaiians built their wooden boards in the company of religious rituals and thus hoped to earn the protection and benevolence of the gods. However, around 100 years later, strict church customs banned surfing. Man and woman in joint water activity? An immoral waste of time! Thanks to Mark Twain and Jack London, surfing as the “sport of kings” found its way back into the minds of the population. Jack London was an avid surfer himself and founded the world’s first surf club in 1908: “Waikiki Outrigger Canoe and Surfboard Club”. The first lifeguards on the Hawaiian beaches used surfboards as an ideal rescue device for helpless bathers.
Probably the most famous “surfer dude” was “The Duke”. He was one of six brothers, an excellent swimmer, and the best surfer of all the islands. At the Olympic Games in 1912, “The Duke” won 100 meters freestyle in record time and, not least because of his unique surfing crawl style, made board sport more and more popular. From now on there was no stopping surfing: In the 50s and 60s surfing became world-famous. The film “Gidget” (the 1960s) ensured that the number of surfers only increased tenfold shortly after it was broadcast.
And so it came about that the extreme sport of daredevil farmers developed into a popular sport for all those who love waves. The massive, bulky wooden boards have since turned into small surfboards for daring maneuvers. … And of course, a branch of well-paid professional athletes is now leaving the pure hobby sport.