Surfboards

History of Surfboarding

By Liz98

  • Polynesians were playing the surf with "belly boards".

    Polynesians were playing the surf with "belly boards".
    Day and Month unknown.

  • Sufing Disappears except for a few isolated spots on the island

    Sufing Disappears except for a few isolated spots on the island
    Day and Month unknown.

  • Hawiian-Englishman George Freeth leans to surf and teaches vistitors and islanders.

    Hawiian-Englishman George Freeth leans to surf and teaches vistitors and islanders.
    Unknown Day and Month.

  • Tom Blake drills holes in his 15-foot-long redwood board to reduce its weight.

    Tom Blake drills holes in his 15-foot-long redwood board to reduce its weight.

  • The introduction of Balsa decreases surf board weight.

    The introduction of Balsa decreases surf board weight.

  • Blake creates the fixed-tail fin, which increases maneuverability and stability.

    Blake creates the fixed-tail fin, which increases maneuverability and stability.

  • In the '50s, Hawaii's George Downing creates longboards: Shaved from polyurethane and finished in fiberglass, the narrow, lightweight boards are ideal for big-wave riding.

    In the '50s, Hawaii's George Downing creates longboards: Shaved from polyurethane and finished in fiberglass, the narrow, lightweight boards are ideal for big-wave riding.

  • Californian Pat O'Neill comes up with a DIY solution: suction cup + surgical cord = surf leash.

    Californian Pat O'Neill comes up with a DIY solution: suction cup + surgical cord = surf leash.

  • Spanish firms Tecnalia and Pukas equip a board with a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a GPS, and strain gauges to gather data.

    Spanish firms Tecnalia and Pukas equip a board with a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a GPS, and strain gauges to gather data.

  • Global Surf Industries layers fiberglass and hand-laid coconut husks over an expanded polystyrene core to create a surfboard that is 25 percent lighter—and 35 percent stronger—than most other boards.

    Global Surf Industries layers fiberglass and hand-laid coconut husks over an expanded polystyrene core to create a surfboard that is 25 percent lighter—and 35 percent stronger—than most other boards.