surfing

what even is it? Surfing is a water sport where a surfer rides on the surface of a wave using a surfboard, balancing and gliding along the water until the wave breaks. With its Polynesian roots, surfing has been practiced for centuries, especially in Hawaii and Tahiti, and has evolved into a global phenomenon. There are different types of surfing, including shortboarding, longboarding, big wave surfing, and tow-in surfing for extreme waves. Surfers use specialized equipment such as fiberglass or foam surfboards, leashes, wetsuits, and wax for grip. Some of the most famous surf spots include Hawaii, California, Australia, Portugal, and Indonesia, attracting surfers from around the world. Today, surfing is not just a recreational activity but also a competitive sport, with major events like the World Surf League (WSL) and its inclusion in the Olympics.

• one of the oldest sports on earth
• wave riding
• ocean

cool surfing facts

Who invented surfing? Surfing wasn't really invented—it just kind of happened. The moment humans started swimming, they probably tried to ride waves too. But if we're talking about stand-up surfing as we know it today, ancient Polynesians were the true pioneers. The biggest wave ever surfed, as of February 2025, is a 93.73-foot (28.57-meter) wave ridden by Sebastian Steudtner at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal, on February 24, 2024.

1. a world wide sports
2. ancient Polynesian cultur
3. very fun