|
 The roots of surfing can be traced to Polynesia, where surfers have been riding waves for thousands of years. Captain Cook was first to document surfing activities in his ship's log in the late 1700s. Surfing continued in Hawaii as the 'royal sport' and came to international prominence in the early 1900's, when famous Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku won a gold medal in swimming in the 1912 Olympics.
 Whilst the sport developed in many regions around the world, it wasn't until 1964 that the first World Surfing Championships were held in Sydney, Australia, and that the sport really came came of age. Since 1977, the ISA has conducted the World Surfing Games every 2 years. The sport of surfing is divided into the following disciplines:
|
Surf |
The equipment is a surfboard of any length. |
|
Longboard |
The equipment is a surfboard at least 9 feet long and of traditional Malibu style. |
|
Bodyboard |
The equipment consists of a bodyboard and swim fins. |
|
Kneeboard |
The equipment consists of a kneeboard and swim fins. |
Surfing is practiced in basically all the countries in the world that are bordered with water and even in some landlocked countries such as Switzerland. The total number of licensed surfers is estimated at over 100,000 and it is estimated that they're a more than 20 million recreational surfers worldwide. The International Surfing Association (ISA) has currently 46 member nations and 2 in the process of becoming affiliated - all members hold national championships.
Surfing does not feature in The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung.
|
