Facts about Surfing

1. 07

   Wetsuits in surfing were first commercially produced in 1952 by Jack O'Neill, who initially used foam material to retain body heat in cold Pacific waters.

   SurfingMay 14shareinventionhistorytechnology
2. 06

   Around 23 feet tall, the largest wave ever surfed was ridden by Garrett McNamara at Nazaré, Portugal in 2011, verified by Guinness World Records.

   SurfingMay 14sharerecordmeasurementextreme
3. 05

   Duke Kahanamoku, a Hawaiian Olympic swimming champion, popularized surfing globally during the 1910s and 1920s by demonstrating the sport in California and promoting it as a cultural practice.

   SurfingMay 14sharehistoryculturesports
4. 04

   Surfers experience wipeouts at speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour, creating impact forces comparable to car crashes that have driven development of specialized impact-absorbing wetsuits.

   SurfingMay 14sharephysicssafetymeasurement
5. 03

   Pipeline, a legendary reef break in Hawaii, produces waves reaching 30 feet during winter swells and has hosted the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing since 1983.

   SurfingMay 14sharelocationsportswaves
6. 02

   The modern surfboard shortened from 10 feet to 5.5 feet during the 1960s, fundamentally transforming maneuverability and tricks in surfing.

   SurfingMay 14shareequipmenthistorymeasurement
7. 01

   In 2016, Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina became the first athlete to land a perfect 10-point wave ride in competition at the World Surf League Championship Tour event.

   SurfingMay 14sharesportsachievementmeasurement