Monday’s Google Doodle wants to wish a big happy birthday to Duke Kahanamoku, the father of surfing.
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Duke was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the first of nine children, and was a strong swimmer from an early age, breaking three freestyle world record in 1911.
Also known as an actor, lawman, early beach volleyball player and businessman credited with spreading the sport of surfing. He first built his reputation as a swimming champion, winning five Olympic medals over the course of his career.
During the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, he won gold medals in the 100m and the relay, and won the silver medal in the 100m freestyle at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Side view of American swimmer and surfing pioneer Duke Kahanamoku (1890 – 1868) preparing to dive in his fourth Olympic meet, circa 1920.
After retiring from the Olympics, Kahanamoku travelled internationally to give swimming exhibitions.
After Hawaii became an official state, he was given the paid title of “Ambassador of Aloha”.
A statue of Duke Kahanamoku stands along Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S., on Thursday, August 20, 2009.
Kahanamoku was also elected the sheriff of his home county 13 times and starred in over a dozen movies.
Kahanamoku was a skilled wave-rider, but his real gift to surfing was the way he presented the sport as something that could be practiced with grace, humour, and generosity.
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The swimmer who died at the age of 77 years on January 22, 1968 due to a heart attack was a man of many talents.
