The Longboard: Past and Present
February 15, 2008 10:39 am Longboard surfingI am a longboarder. I enjoy the relaxation and experience of gliding on the waves. I also do not have the agility to handle a shortboard and carve. With that, for my first “real” entry I thought I should educate myself and all of you with a short history lesson on the immersion of longboarding in America. As we all know, longboards are the first surfboards.
Beginning in 1912, Duke Kahanamoku, a Hawaiian Olympic swimmer, brought surfing to mainland United States. Because of this, Duke is considered the “Father of Modern Surfing.” From then on, surfing became an integral part of the California beach lifestyle. In the 1920s boards made of plywood called Hollowboards came into use. These were typically 15 to 20 feet in length and very light.
[youtube 5f8HcmIuU5U Video of Surfing Legend: Duke Kahanamoku]
Having almost been wiped out by the “shortboard revolution” the longboard returned in the early 1990′s. Surfers rediscovered the grace and poise – the “glide” – of the longboard, and the fun of classic maneuvers that are not possible on a shortboard.
[youtube FcZTWy36O30 Longboarding Video]
Today’s longboard is much lighter than its predecessors. Its polyurethane foam and fiberglass design allows less drag on waves. Today’s longboards are typically 9′ to 10′ long. The classic single-fin longboard still retains much of its classic design
Chris :
Date: February 15, 2008 @ 11:59 am
If you really are interested in becoming more familiar with longboarding you should subscribe to Longboard Magazine.