Duke Kahanamoku – The Father of Modern Surfing
“The Ambassador of Aloha”
🌊 Basic Info
Full Name: Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku
Nickname: Duke, The Duke, The Big Kahuna
Born: August 24, 1890 – Honolulu, Kingdom of Hawaii
Died: January 22, 1968 – Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Nationality: Native Hawaiian
Surfing Stance: Regular (though stance was less categorized in his era)
Favorite Surf Spots: Waikiki Beach, Freshwater Beach (Australia), Santa Monica
🏆 Career Highlights
Championships & Titles:
Though he was not a competitive surfer, Duke was a 5-time Olympic medalist in swimming (3 gold, 2 silver) and used his fame to spread the sport of surfing worldwide
Credited with introducing surfing to Australia, California, and beyond during his travels as an athlete and cultural ambassador
Notable Contributions:
Performed surfing exhibitions in Australia (1915) and California (1912–20s)—the first many had ever seen the sport
Used his international status to introduce surfing as a Hawaiian cultural treasure
Best Performances:
A historic demonstration at Freshwater Beach, Sydney, where he carved a board from local timber and stunned beachgoers with the art of wave riding
Known for surfing massive traditional boards (olo boards) weighing over 100 lbs—without leashes, fins, or modern tech
Signature Moves:
Style rooted in ancient Hawaiian surfing—graceful, controlled, and upright
His ability to ride such large, heavy boards showcased balance, timing, and pure ocean knowledge
🏄♂️ Surfing Style & Equipment
Board Preferences:
Rode solid redwood olo boards, up to 16 feet long
Often shaped his own boards or borrowed local materials during his travels
Wetsuit & Gear:
Surfed in classic Hawaiian boardshorts—barefoot, sun-kissed, and powered by pure stoke
No wetsuits or gear—just aloha spirit and a deep connection with the sea
Training & Fitness:
Elite swimmer and waterman—held world records in the 100-meter freestyle
Spent his life in the ocean, constantly surfing, paddling, diving, and competing
Wave Preferences:
Waikiki’s rolling waves were his home, but he adapted quickly to the beach breaks of California and Australia
Loved long rides and smooth glides—more soul than shred
🌍 Life Beyond Surfing
Hobbies & Interests:
Champion swimmer, lifeguard, actor, and cultural ambassador
Appeared in more than a dozen Hollywood films and served as Sheriff of Honolulu for nearly 30 years
Social Causes:
Symbol of Hawaiian pride and cultural preservation
Promoted goodwill, respect for indigenous culture, and the sharing of aloha worldwide
Honored as a hero for rescuing 8 people from a capsized boat using his surfboard in 1925—one of the earliest recorded surf rescues
Fun Facts:
Named after Prince Alfred “The Duke” of Edinburgh, who visited Hawaii shortly before his birth
He’s credited with inspiring future watermen like Eddie Aikau and George Freeth
Statues of Duke stand proudly at Waikiki Beach and Freshwater Beach as monuments to his legacy
🎥 Photos & Videos
Historical footage and photography of Duke show him gliding on ancient boards and giving lessons to curious beachgoers
Look for archival Olympic swimming clips and vintage surf reels on museum channels
📢 Latest News & Updates
In 2025, Duke is the subject of a new Hulu docudrama titled “Duke”, highlighting his dual legacy as a waterman and Hawaiian cultural ambassador
Duke’s OceanFest, the annual surf, swim, and paddle event in Waikiki, is bigger than ever, drawing global participants
A portion of the proceeds from this year’s OceanFest go toward supporting Native Hawaiian youth programs and surf education initiatives
