Guide Note

Surfing is an ocean sport in which one rides a breaking wave while floating on its surface. A specifically-made surfboard is usually the means of riding on the wave, although there are many different variations, each with their own specific equipment.

Fast Facts

Origin: Hawaii
Materials required: Surfboard, sufficiently large ocean waves
Two types of boards and surfing styles: longboarding and shortboarding
Types/variations:
Notable surfers: George Freeth, Duke Kahanamoku

History

Although its exact history is undocumented, surfing is generally understood to have been developed by Polynesian islanders as a form of entertainment that was practiced by the common- and ruling-class alike. They would practice the same techniques and modern-day surfing, but would use heavy wooden surfboards rather than today's composite material surfboards. The sport was first observed by European explorers in 1767, when crew members of the Dolphin stopped in Tahiti.

General Process

The rider travels out from the beach to where waves are beginning to form. When a sufficiently large wave begins to swell, the rider will hurry to properly position the board, stand up on it, and begin to slide down the face of the breaking wave. Direction is controlled through the legs and feet, and assisted by balancing the body.

Categories

Hobbies | Sports | Surfing

View Note History

Surfing

Also try: How to Surf for Beginners

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Surfing
International Surfing Association: Official Site
Association of Surfing Professionals: Official Site
Surfline: Surfing Information
Black Magic: History of Huntington Beach (Surf City) Surf Clubs
Extreme Horizon: Surfing Origins
Video: Laird Hamilton - The greatest big wave surfer to have lived? (Time: 3:24)

Surfing History

San Diego State University: The History of Surfing Timeline from 300 A.D. to 1900
Legendary Surfers: Surfing History
Surfing for Life: The History of Surfing From Captain Cook to the Present
SurfArt.com: The History of Surfing
Coffee Times: The History of Surfing
Peter Eglington Surf Art: The History of Surfing

Notable Surfers

Surfing Publications

Surfing News and Articles

Google News: Surfing
Yahoo! News Search: Surfing
The New York Times: Cameras Show if Surf Is Good, but Surfers Are Getting in Way (January 27, 2008)
- " These surf cams, or wave cams, which have gained in popularity in recent years, help advertise lesser-known beaches to outsiders who are looking for new surfing spots. But the cameras have also caused problems in the territorial world of hard-core surfers, many of whom blame them for leading crowds to once-secluded beaches."
Herald Tribune: "Surfing guru from Hawaii brings hope and boards to Gaza surfers" (2007)
Surfline: "New Places, Fresh Faces" (2007)
Men's Journal: "Last Man Standing" (2004)

Surfing How To

Chiff.com: How to Tips for Surfing Beginners!
Surfing Waves: Surfing How To's, From Waxing to Talking like a Surfer
Kahuna Bob's Surf School: Beginner Surfing Tips
Brave New World: How To Tips for Surfing Beginners
Surfergirls: How to Choose a Surfboard

Surfing Safety and Dangers

The Surfing Handbook: The Surfing Handbook and Ocean Safety
Surfing San Diego: Surfing Dangers from Hard Bottoms to Animals
Surfingcal.com: Sharks, Sandbars, and More

Wave Information

Surfing San Diego: Wave Height & Wave Direction for West Coast USA
Surfing Waves: What Makes Ideal Surfable Waves
Club of the Waves: Wave Information
GlobalSurfers.com: Wave and Swell Interval Maps Data from the NOAA
Surfing L.A. Surf School: Surf Lessons in the Los Angeles area

Surfing Equipment

Surfingcal.com: Surfing Gear
Extreme Horizon: Beginners Guide to Essential Surfing Equipment
Blue Water High: Surfing Equipment

Wetsuits

See Mahalo's Guide to Swimwear

Surfing Waves: Wetsuits
Wikipedia: Wetsuits

Surfboards

See Mahalo's Guide to Surfboards

Surfing Waves: The Surfboard
Diverse Surf Equipment: Board Design

Online Surfing Resources

Surf San Diego: Surf Terms
The Surfers Directory: Surf Associations, Clubs & Organizations
Surfing Articles: Surfing Resources
Official Site: Mavericks Surf
WaveWatch: Surfing Conditions
Surfrider Foundation: Official Foundation Website

Surfing Museums

Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum (Huntington Beach, California)
British Surfing Museum (Marton, England)
Surf World (Torquay, Victoria)
California Surf Museum (Oceanside, California)

Surfing Blogs and Forums

Google Blog Search: Surfing
Topix: Surfing Blog Posts
Surf San Diego: Surfing Forum
Surfing Waves: Surfing Forum
Global Surfers: Surfing Forum
Freakfish: Surfing Forum
5ones: Surfing blog Archive
North County Times: "Surfing dogs take to the waves" (2007)
Surfrider Foundation: "Brazil Surfers Break World Record" (2007)

Surfing Photos

Google Images: Surfing
Yahoo Image Search: Surfing
Live Search Images: Surfing
Flickr: Surfing
Surfing Waves: Surfing Photos
Surf Inside: Surfing Photos

Surfing Videos and Fun Stuff

Global Surfers: Surfing Pictures and Videos
YouTube & Google Video: Surfing Search
Yahoo! Video: Surfing Search
YouTube: Surfing Bigwave (Time: 1:29)
YouTube: Funny Surfing Dog (Time: 1:18)
Fun Trivia: Surfing Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

Surfing Merchandise

Jack's Surfboards: Surfing Accessories
Isle Surf: Surfboard Accessories
Cleanline Surf: Wetsuits
NexTag: Wetsuit Comparison Shopping
eBay: Surfing Merchandise
Amazon.com: Surfing Accessories, Surfing DVDs, Surfing Books, Surf Music CDs
Barnes & Noble: Surfing Books
eBay: Surfing Merchandise

Surfboard Merchants

See Mahalo's Guide to Surfboards

Surfwear Clothing Companies

See Mahalo's Guide to Swimwear

Related Searches

How to Surf for Beginners | Surfboard | Wakeboarding | Water Skiing | Boating | Skiing | Surfboards | Wetsuits | Snowboarding | Extreme Sports | Mavericks Surf Contest | Scuba Diving | Parasailing | Atlantic Ocean | Indian Ocean

This page was created by Lorim, a Part Time Guide in the Mahalo Greenhouse (see the original), and quality controlled by Ben.
If you'd like to help us create the best spam free search results on the Internet, apply to be a Part Time Guide!