Polynesian Society: Artifact 5

The Surf Board

     Surfing is one of the oldest sports on the planet. It originated in Western Polynesia over 3000 years ago. The first surfers were fisherman who rode waves to get to shore quicker with their catch. Eventually it became an exclusive sport for the wealthy. During the 15th century, kings, queens, and people of the Sandwich Isles loved the sport hu'enalu or wave-sliding. The ali'i or high  class claimed the highest reputation for skill on riding the boards. Private beaches formed, only to be used for surfing and those of similar talent. Only people of similar skill could surf together and never would anyone steal another persons wave.
     Prayers, board sharpers, wood, and beaches were developed for surfing. Certain trees were picked to make a board and when they were dug up, board makers would leave a fish around the roots as an offering to the gods. Before undergoing any kind of construction, surfboards underwent a sacred ritual.
     There are four basic board types used in ancient Hawai'i:
1. the paipo or kioe was a children's board only about two to four feet long.
2. the alaia or omo was around eight feet in length
3. the kiko'o was between 12 and 18 feet long and required a high level of skill to handle
4. the olo was reserved for royalty and was 18 to 24 feet long!

Works Cited:
Information: "The Origins of Surfing." UFIML. Veronica Britton. Web. 9 Sept. 2014.
Picture: http://data.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/ethnobotany.php?b=d&ID=ulu
Video of surfers doing what they do best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYI1QgxTMTA