Surfing in United Kingdom
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Surfing is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitable for surfing are found primarily in the ocean, but are also sometimes found in lakes and rivers, and also in manmade wave pools. Many variations of the sport exist and the definitions of what constitutes a suitable wave, what is a surfboard, and even what is a surfer, have been expanding and multiplying over the years. Three major subdivisions within stand-up surfing are longboarding, shortboarding, and stand up paddle surfing (SUP), reflecting differences in board design, including surfboard length, riding style, and the kind of wave that is ridden.
Surfing Quick-Facts
- The riding of waves has likely existed since humans began swimming in the ocean. In this sense bodysurfing is the oldest type of wave-catching.
- Standing up on what we now call a surfboard is a relatively recent innovation developed by the Polynesians. The influences for modern surfing can be directly traced to the surfers of pre-contact Hawaii.
- The art of surfing, called he'enalu in the Hawaiian language, was first described in 1769 by Joseph Banks on the HMS Endeavour during the first voyage of Captain James Cook.
- When the waves were flat, surfers took to the pavements to practice, which is now called skateboarding. To create the feel of the wave, surfers were even known to sneak into empty garden swimming pools, known as pool skating.
- Many other board sports have been invented over the years, but all can trace their heritage back to surfing; for example on the slopes it was called Snurfing, later credited as the first snowboard.
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