Surfing may well be a quintessential Aussie pastime but who introduced us to the modern-day art of boardriding?

Sydney Morning Herald Friday 25 Dec 1914

SURF-BOARD RIDING Khanamoku's Display

At the invitation of the NSW Amateur Swimming Association a number of newspaper representatives, accompanied some of the officials to witness an exhibition of surf-board riding by Duke Poa Kahanamouk's first attempt at surf-board riding in Australia, and it must be admitted it was wonderfully clever. The conditions were against good surf-board riding. The waves were the "dumping" order and followed closely one on top of the other. According to the champion, board-riding on the Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, is a pleasure and there is is possible to shoot over a quarter of a mile. Then, too, Kahanamoku was at a disadvantage with the board. It weighed almost 100lb whereas the board he uses as a rule weighs less than 25lb. But, withal, he gave a magnificent display, which wone the coridal applause of the onlookers.

Kahanamoku entered the water with the board accompanied by Mr W. W. Hill and some members of the Freshwater Surf Club. Lying flat on the board and using his arms like paddles the champion soon left the swimmers far behind. When he was about 400 yards out he waited for a suitable breaker, swung the board round, and came in with it. Once fairly started, Kahanamoku knelt on the board, and then stood straight up, the nose of the board being well out of the water. But the force of the breakers never carried him more than 50 yards. On a couple of occasions he managed to shoot fully 100 yards, and then he cleverly demonstrated what could be done. He turned completely round, then, lying flat on the board, he raised himself on his hands and swung the board from front to back and back to front, finally again standing straight up. If the condition of the water is favourable when Kahanamoku makes his public appearance in surf-board riding in Sydney it is sure to be keenly appreciated."