who invented surfing

Surfing was not invented by a single person; rather, it originated as an ancient practice among Polynesian cultures, particularly in Hawaii, where it was deeply integrated into their way of life and religious practices. The earliest evidence of surfing dates back to at least the 12th century in Polynesia, with cave paintings illustrating ancient surfing activities. Europeans first documented surfing in 1778 through the diary of Captain James Cook, who witnessed Tahitian surfers riding waves on wooden planks. Hawaiians are credited with further developing surfing, known as he'e nalu, with different types of surfboards made from various woods representing social classes. Duke Kahanamoku, born in 1890, is known as the "Father of Modern Surfing" for popularizing the sport worldwide through his athletic prowess and world tours in the early 20th century. Although surfing existed long before him, his influence was pivotal in spreading the sport outside Polynesia to places like California and Australia. In summary, surfing originated in ancient Polynesian culture, with no single inventor, but Duke Kahanamoku played a crucial role in establishing modern surfing as a global sport.