malesurfer

Surfer posing with his surfboard, ca. 1935

from State Library of Queensland

• Vesna Verencevic said:

  The sport of surfing was in fact introduced to Australia by a Hawaiian named Duke Kahanamoku and Australian Isabel Letham in 1955. It was the duo’s impressive display that seduced and shook the nation, leading the way for a lifestyle obsession which today is woven into the fabric of Australian culture. As the frenzy of surfing as a recreational activity grew into the Aussie way of life, so too did the evolution of equipment and surfing styles. In the ’60s, Australian board designer Bob McTavish was responsible for the design of the V-surfboard and is widely acknowledged today as one of the key figures in the development of surfing. Source: theculturetrip.com/pacific/australia/articles/how-austral...

• Vesna Verencevic said:

  The big island at the bottom of the world has been crazy about surfing since the 19th century. Knowing how to ride a wave is a common skill in Australia, and that is why, for many, it is the ultimate surfing destination. 1867: Charles Steedman publishes the book "Manual of Swimming," which features a chapter titled "Native Swimming, Wave Mechanics and Surfboards"; 1903: Manly Beach holds the first demonstration of surf lifesaving methods; 1909: "Surf Sports at Manly," the first documentary film on a surf demonstration, is screened around the country; 1914: Duke Kahanamoku visits Australia and rides waves in front of thousands of spectators; 1919: Claude West becomes Australia's first national surfing champion; 1939: German-born Australian Harry Wicke wins the SLSA of Australia Surf Board Championship; 1963: Surfing Australia is founded; 1973: Gordon Merchant launches Billabong; 1996: "Litmus: A Surfing Odyssey," a movie by Andrew Kidman, marks a new era in modern surfing; Source: www.surfertoday.com/surfing/the-timeline-of-australian-su...