Discover how Christian missionaries in 19th-century Hawai‘i nearly wiped out surfing—once a sacred and central part of Hawaiian culture. Learn how surfing survived and why reclaiming its roots matters.
Surf thru history4- Page
Explore surf history for beginners—discover the origins, evolution, and cultural milestones that have shaped the surfing world.
32Articles
Meet the Olo—the massive, finless surfboard of Hawaiian royalty. Carved from wiliwili wood, blessed with sacred rituals, and sometimes requiring a human sacrifice (not for surfing, don’t worry), this board is a time capsule of ancient surfing. Imagine hauling a 200-pound tree trunk to the lineup—no carrying straps! Before foamies, fiberglass, or even fins, the Olo ruled the waves. Here’s how it shaped the history of surfing.
