Where surfing started

Surfing began as soon as man could swim, however surfing with a board was only done by the Polynesians it was first discovered in 1796 by a man called Joseph Banks during the first voyage of Captain Cook.
The chief of the tribe was the best Surfer and owned the best board in the tribe.
Commoners could become famous and gain prestige by impressive surfing. When Missionarys arrived on the Islands they persuaded the natives to give up surfing so by the 20th century only a small community of Surfers exsisted.
In 1907 a Surfer by the name of George Freeth was brought to California as a part of a publicty stunt to do with the opening of a railroad. Soon surfing had spread to Australia and other coastal countries.
Surfing's development and culture has been focused to 3 main countries Australia, California and Hawaii.

Biggest wave

The biggest ever wave surfed, and yes you guessed it it it's from the Cliffs of Moher

More on Aileens

Aileens, 12th MOvember 2011 from Luap Fortytwo on Vimeo.
I find this video just unbelievable in terms of the scale of the waves and the skill the Surfers show just trying to get out beyond the breakers. If you watch carefully you should be able to see the tops of the cliffs a couple of times, so don't forget that these guys are surfing straight towards a cliff.
This video is shorter but shows one of the Surfers surfing a magnifcent wave.

Aileens Surfing - 20th January 2011 from Luap Fortytwo on Vimeo.

Worlds best

1. Gold Coast, Australia

Australia is one of the best countries in the world for surfing with beautiful swells from the Pacific ocean and the Indian ocean.

Gold Coast City with its sub tropical climate and 70km beaches with four point breaks that led to people calling it surfers paradise.

2.Waimea Bay, Hawaii

In winter Waimea bay hosts a number of surfing competitions because of the large waves created by the North Pacific storms, for an idea of the true size of these waves check out my earlier video post.


3.California, North America
If you want to surf in North America the best place to go has to be California. The only problems you will have is that the water is very cold most of the year and you will probably be surrounded by some very good surfers.

4.Bali, Indonesia
Bali is one of the less known surfing spots in the world, however this doesn't mean it can be relatively quiet.
Swells coming from the southern ocean provide consistent waves of up to 12 feet.


5.Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
One of the best tow in spots in the world. Waves often reach heights of 35ft. Only last year 7up campaigned to turn this mystical spot into the 8th natural wonder of the world. For experienced tow in Surfers this could be your Irish paradise. For the inexperienced only go here with a camera leave the board at home.


 

Aillens

This wave was caught just off the cliffs of moher in Ireland, the area is called Aileens

Irish surfing association

http://www.isasurf.ie/

Video

Surfing Waimea Bay, Hawaii on 11-2-10 from Hess Films on Vimeo.
Just to give you an idea of the size and scale of some of these waves.