Surf Trivia
“…Who had the most supreme pleasure while he was driven so fast and smoothly by the seas” – Captain Cook, describing a Hawaiian Surfer, 1778
It is fair to assess surfers as athletes, amateur meteorologists, optimistic (why else would you check the waves constantly) and playful. Surfers also know a lot about surfing, and even the most informed were stumped by some usual facts about surfing.
Take a Guess:
- -What city for surfing is the windiest?
- -Do you know the heaviest wave in the world?
- -How many hours of surfing does it take to develop surfer’s ear?
- -Where was the biggest wave ever documented, measuring 1738 feet?
- -What is the clinical term for fear of waves?
- -What is the most isolated chain of islands in the world?
- -Who is responsible for introducing the leash on your board?
- -Who surfed Pipeline first?
- -What is the earliest record of surfing?
- -What percentage of your average session do you spend riding a wave?
- -What is considered the longest wave on the planet?
- -How many surfers are there on Earth now?
- -Of those 25 million, how many will be in Montauk this summer…?
Happy Surfing!
1. Wellington, New Zealand; 2. Teahupoo, Tahiti (Remember Laird’s historic photo)?; 3. Around 3000 hours; 4. Lituya Bay Alaska, in 1958; 5. Cymophobia (Kyma, Greek for wave); 6. The Hawaiian Islands; 7. Pat O’Neill, son of Jack O’Neill (Jack lost his vision in one eye when a prototype leash snapped and hit him in the face); 8. California surfer Phil Edwards; 9. Stone carvings in Chan Chan, Peru depict surfing over 5,000 years ago; 10. 5%-8% (!!!); 11. Chicama, Chile; 12. Over 25 million; 13. ??????????????