E3601

Duke Kahanamoku

“Father of Surfing” and Olympic Swimmer

Collins Cover Announcement 

DUKE KAHANAMOKU

Duke Paoa Kahinu Makoe Hulikohoa Kahanamoku, the son of a Hawaiian police officer, was born on August 24, 1890. His first name really was Duke as he was named after his father who, in turn, had been named after the Duke of Edinburgh —who had visited the islands in 1869.

Duke was taught to swim at an early age by his father and uncle and soon became exceptional at any athletic endeavor having to do with the sea. He was very powerful, with large hands and feet that were well suited to swimming. As a teenager, he became the leader of a group of boys that hung out together surfing along the beach at Waikiki. They formed the very first surfing club called Hui Nalu. At that time, the sport of surfing was virtually unknown outside of Hawaii. Kahanamolm's competitive career began in 1911 when his coach entered him in Hawaii's first AAU swim meet. Incredibly, he shaved 4.6 seconds off the 100-yard freestyle world record and tied the 50-yard record. The meet officials could not believe the times, and the results were not honored for several years.

As Duke traveled the world to compete in swimming competitions, he took his surfboard with him. It was Kahanamoku who introduced the new sport to such places as California and Australia. The surfboards of his day were large, heavy, and long to handle the huge waves in Hawaii. As time went on, he designed and built lighter boards to improve maneuverability and make them easier to travel with. During the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, he won the gold medal in the 100-yard freestyle. The 1916 Games, when Duke was in his prime, were canceled due to World War I. In 1920 he captured two golds. In 1960 he and his wife were appointed as the "official greeter of Honolulu," and they served as the honorary First Couple and goodwill ambassadors of Hawaii until his death in 1968.

In 1917, an earthquake in Japan created a monster wave. My hand painted cachet shows Duke riding this gigantic wave as it descends toward a Hawaiian beach. Those there say that Kahanamoku rode it for well over one mile. You will really enjoy having this unique cachet in your collection, and I think the exciting scene will make it one that future collectors will anxiously search for. Now is the time to secure it for your collection, and I'm pleased to offer the world's first international surfer — Duke Kahanamoku. Collins #E3601 — $12.25.