SurfPedia™
History of Surfing
by Skip Snead
1940
*Surfers trade boards for green military jackets and
because of the intensity of WW2, surfing declines in popularity.
1941
*The first "official" surfboard sailing race
in yachting history is held off Waikiki's Outrigger Canoe Club.
1943
*December 22. Woody Brown and Dickie Cross are caught
outside on a huge day at Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu.
Their only chance for survival is to paddle west toward Waimea Bay.
Woody Brown makes it to shore, Dickie Cross is never seen or heard
from again, and the legend of scary Waimea Bay begins.
* Surf cinematographer Bud Browne releases The Big Surf.
1945
*Bud Browne's Hawaiian Memories is released.
1949
*Bob Simmons' "Spoon" balsa board (fiberglassed
with skeg), 10'3"-plus, is the preferred board of choice for
surfers.
