Included in the donation was a Duke Kahanamoku board from the 1920s.
A few weeks ago, a couple of old surfboards joined the ranks of some of the nation’s most important treasures. On August 22nd, the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center (SHACC) donated five surfboards to the Smithsonian.
The boards, including a 1920s Duke Kahanamoku board and a Hobie designed bisect board for airline transport, represent the evolution of surfboards. The donation also had a 16 mm print from The Endless Summer, a film that basically shaped how we think of surf travel today.
During the donation ceremony, there was a panel discussion called “Wave of Innovation — The Endless Summer.” Focussing on what surfing has brought to American culture, the talk included legends like Bruce Brown, Robert August, Mike Hynson, Tom Morey, Paul Strauch, Fred Hemmings, and Greg Noll.
“It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career to be part of this historic weekend in our nation’s capital,” said Paul Strauch, SHACC’s Executive Director. “We not only celebrated surfing and surf culture being recognized as catalysts for change and innovation in American society, but we also celebrated the 125th birthday of Duke Kahanamoku with traditional Hawaiian music and hula at the National Museum of the American Indian. It was a very heartwarming event in honor of my good friend and father of modern surfing.”
