Happy are the folks that can be found surfing on the sea. It has been enjoyed by many, king and commoner alike, but that is not the only draw to it. A lot of money can be won by competing, as well as a trophy and a much coveted title.

When the mainlanders first got sight of the Hawaiian islanders playing with their boards in frothy water, it must have been a sight to see. People from the mainland had never seen this kind of activity before encountering it in Hawaii.

For the ancient natives of Hawaii long ago, riding the waves was, and still remains, an art and the sport of kings. Because the vast oceans are considered sacred to many of these venerable folks, there were formal ceremonies regarding the making and using of the surfboard. The kings and their court were given the right to ride the large boards which weighed less than the smaller heavier boards that the lower caste was allowed to ride.

With the arrival of missionaries, riding in the waves with surfboards began to decline. Having fun in the surf, to them, was an undesirable practice and they wanted it to be wiped out. Outsiders from all over also contributed to the waning of the sport, but a few stubborn kings held fast to the practice and were able to thwart the attempts by the newcomers, and the sport once again began to thrive.

During the 1900′s, A man by the name of Duke Kahanamoku became a hero to many people in the islands when he began spreading the news about surfing around the world. A statue of him was erected on the beach of Waikiki located on the southern side of Oahu.

During the winter months on the island of Oahu, you will find numerous wave-riding competitions. From Waimea Bay, to Sunset Beach, during the colder months, not only does the rain increase, but so does the size of the waves. The waves at Pipeline Beach are some of the most famous in the world. A great number of people have died trying to surf the monstrous waves created there, but the Pipeline Master’s Competition is still held there today despite the many risks.

After putting in your time and taking your lumps learning how to ride a surfboard, it might be something you feel you were born to do. It may seem like forever, but when you have finally conquered gravity and have managed to stay on your board, it might be hard to ignore the waves from then on. If your travels take you near a beach, looking for a local surfing rental shop might just be the highest thing on your priorities for the day.

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Tags: Hawaii

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