Surfing: 8 Fun Facts You Probably Never Knew

From the feeling of gliding along waves, to the sun-kissed surfers riding them, surfing has become a global sport. But did you know that the sport dates back thousands of years or that not all waves are created equal? Read on to find out 8 fun facts you probably never knew about surfing presenting by Surf Shop Cornwall!

 

What is Surfing?

Surfing is a surface water sport in which the wave rider, referred to as a surfer, rides on the forward or deep face of a moving wave, which is usually carrying the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitable for surfing are primarily found in the ocean, but can also be found in lakes or rivers in the form of a standing wave or tidal bore.

 

8 Fun Facts about Surfing

Did you know that surfing is believed to have originated in Polynesia? In fact, the word “surfing” comes from the Polynesian word “sufunga,” which means “to ride waves.” Surfing wasn’t introduced to the mainland United States until the early 20th century.

 

Here are some other fun facts about surfing:

-The largest wave ever surfed was at Nazare, Portugal and was estimated to be around 100 feet high!

-Surfing is an official sport in the Pacific Games, Asian Beach Games, Southeast Asian Games, and World Surf League Championship Tour.

-There are an estimated 2.4 million surfers worldwide.

-Big wave surfers often use jet skis or helicopters to tow them into waves that are too large to paddle into.

-In order to tow a surfer into a big wave, the Jet Ski driver must be skilled in reading waves and timing their takeoff perfectly – if they don’t, both the surfer and driver can be pulled underwater by the force of the wave.

-The first woman to attempt to paddle into waves larger than 20 feet was Margo Oberg in 1984.

-Surfing has been used as a form of self-expression, therapy and spirituality.

-The longest wave ever ridden by a surfer is estimated to have been 40 miles long off the coast of Tasmania in Australia!

There you have it! Eight fun facts about surfing – did you know any of them already?

 

Conclusion

We hope that these eight fun facts about surfing have sparked your curiosity and passion for the sport. Surfing is a great way to escape into nature and have some thrilling adventures in the waves. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced surfer, getting out enjoying riding waves can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences! What is your favorite fact? Let us know your feedback!