Surfing

Surfing is a fun water sport that uses a long board. Surfers paddle out into the ocean and wait for good waves. When a wave comes, they pop up and stand on the board. Then they ride the wave to shore. Surfing takes balance, strong arms, and lots of practice.

How to Surf

To surf, a person lies on the board and paddles with their arms. They watch the waves and pick a good one. When the wave lifts the board, the surfer jumps to their feet. They bend their knees to stay balanced. Then they ride the wave as long as they can.

An old drawing of Hawaiian surfers riding big ocean waves.
An old drawing of Hawaiian surfers riding big ocean waves. (Butler / Hutchings' California Magazine / Wikimedia Commons)

History of Surfing

Surfing began long ago in Hawaii and other Pacific islands. Kings and queens in Hawaii loved to surf. Old surfboards were made from heavy wood. Today, boards are made from light foam and covered with fiberglass. Surfing is now popular at beaches all over the world.

Fun Facts

  • The biggest wave ever surfed was about 86 feet tall.
  • Surfing was added to the Olympic Games in 2020.
  • The longest surfboards are called 'longboards' and can be over 9 feet long.

Did You Know?

Dolphins sometimes surf waves alongside people just for fun.