The Men Who Brought Surfing to Yorkshire

in history •  7 years ago 

In 1890 two Hawaiian Prince Brothers and nephews of the ruling King and Queen of Hawaii.
HRH Prince David Kahalepouli Kawananakoa Piikoi and HRH Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Piikoi

The two Princes's came to England to study.
Their College tutor John Wrightson, a Yorkshireman took them to the coast during a break from their studies.
When they saw the huge waves the asked a local boat builder to make them a surfboard.
They rode the waves on the beaches of Bridlington much to the surprise of the local people, and thereby introducing the Yorkshire Folk to the ancient sport of surfing.
John Wrightson soon also learned to surf the waves and very much enjoyed the sport.
It is believed that the princess's had their boards made to their instructions by a local boat builder

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Some links if you are interested in finding out more

http://www.museumofbritishsurfing.org.uk/2012/04/09/hawaiian-royals-surf-bridlington-in-1890/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2127579/How-Hawaiian-princes-brought-surfing-Yorkshire-1890.html

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thats wicked i didnt know that! so was yorkshire first place in UK where people surfed?

Yes i would think so.. Now it just seems to be Newquay and St Ives as the surfing capitals of the uk

Oh, that's very interesting! Isn't the water cold there? Did they wear wetsuits?

i'm not sure they had wetsuits in the 1890's.. And yes the water is cold
Statistics for 09 Mar (1981–2005) – mean: 6.0 °C, range: 3.6 °C to 7.1 °C

amazing history..

Thanks