How surfing went from an ancient ritual to a billion-dollar industry | Weekend special

A weekend magazine feature traces the evolution of surfing from an ancient Polynesian and Hawaiian ritual to a global industry. The article describes the shift from heavy wooden boards to foam and fiberglass, surfing's entry into the Olympics, the rise of fashion brands like Quiksilver, and the influence of cinema. It also covers the development of surfing in Israel since the 1950s.

A weekend magazine feature by i24NEWS traces the evolution of surfing from an ancient Polynesian and Hawaiian ritual to a global industry worth billions. The article describes how wave riding, or "he'e nalu," was a religion, culture, and way of life for ancient Polynesians and Hawaiians, where kings proved their power. Meanwhile, in ancient Peru, people rode waves on reed boats returning from fishing. The revolution began in the early 20th century thanks to Olympic swimming champion Duke Kahanamoku, who gave demonstrations in California and Australia. In the 1970s, heavy wooden boards gave way to polyurethane foam, fiberglass, and resin, and shortboards with fins made riding more aggressive and dynamic. In 2021, surfing entered the Tokyo Olympics. The article mentions notable surfers like Kelly Slater (11 world titles), Laird Hamilton (big waves), Gabriel Medina, and John John Florence. It also describes the growth of the surf fashion industry with brands like Quiksilver, Billabong, and Rip Curl, and the influence of cinema through films like "The Endless Summer" and "Point Break." In Israel, surfing began in the 1950s thanks to Dr. Dorian Paskowitz, who brought the first surfboards and gave them to lifeguards. The article highlights notable Israeli surfers: Anat Lelior, Amor Kenzapolsky, Maya Daubar, Aviv Vaknin, and Paralympic surfer Adi Kalang.