A little history
It is written that surfing originated in Hawaii and was considered the “sport of kings”, or “hee nalu” in Hawaiian. The ancient Hawaiian’s used long boards carved from tall Koa trees which enabled them to “catch” and ride the waves either standing or laying on their stomachs. Surfing was taken very serious because the Hawaiians had great respect for the ocean and all of its mysteries. They studied the waves, currents, and tides so they would have optimal success in fishing, voyaging, and surfing which honed their ocean knowledge and water skills. Surfing wasn’t just for amusement; it required skill, stamina, flexibility, and balance. Hawaiians who could master surfing were looked upon with great revere and were well respected in society. Only the highest ranking chiefs were entitled to the best surfing locations and the best surf boards available.
