Surfing in the United States

Surfing in the United States is one of the most popular pastimes in the country.^[1][2][3][4] California and Hawaii are the most popular locations for surfing.^[5]

There are professional surfing leagues such as the World Surf League in the United States. These leagues make it possible for surfers all over the world to become recognized in America for their talent. One of the most famous surfers is Kelly Slater.^[6][7] Kelly Slater has eleven different ASP surfing competitions, making him one of the best in the world.^[8]

History

The earliest recorded instances of surfing took place in Hawaii in 17th Century. These instances are correlated to the Hawaiian tradition of "he'e nalu", which means "wave-sliding".^[9] Nick Gabaldon is first known African American surfer not many African americans surf.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Surfing culture in the United States

Surfing is very much a part of Californian and Hawaiian culture.

Surfing on the East Coast of the United States began in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina in 1909 when Burke Haywood Bridgers and a colony of surfers introduced surfing to the East Coast. The State of North Carolina honored Burke Haywood Bridgers and the colony of surfers by placing a North Carolina Highway Marker for PIONEER EAST COAST SURFING on Wrightsville Beach and designated Wrightsville Beach as the birthplace of surfing in North Carolina in 2015. North Carolina has the greater weight of published verifiable accurate evidence and impacts a broader geographical area when compared to other east coast states. Burke Haywood Bridgers and the colony of surfers activities are among the earliest appearances of surfboards in the Atlantic Ocean. The early twentieth century surfers proved that surfing migrated from Hawaii to California and North Carolina about the same time, then Florida.

Major competitions in the United States

1) Southeast Regional Surfing Championships Mid April Smyrna Beach, Florida

2) East Coast Surfing Championships Late August Oceanfront – Virginia Beach, Virginia

3) US Open of Surfing Early September Huntington Beach, California

4) Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Mid November to mid December North Shore – Oahu, Hawaii

5) ASP World Tour – Pipeline Masters Early December North Shore – Oahu, Hawaii

6) Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Memorial Beginning December to end February Waimea Bay, North Shore – Oahu, Hawaii

7) Mavericks Big Wave Surf Competition December to March Half Moon Bay, California^[14]

Big wave surfing

Big wave surfing originated in the 1990s, when surfers began to make use of water vehicles such as jet skis and speed boats, in order to tow them into waves that they were too large and fast to catch.^[1]

References

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