The story of surfing: a brief history

Though it is a much-loved sport in Britain and around the world today, many of us do not know about the origins of surfing and how it evolved into the sport that we know and love today. Surfing has an elaborate history, spanning hundreds of years, with many pioneering surfers playing a role in how the sport has changed over time. Surfing was first practiced in Samoa and Tonga, where people rode the waves on planks and single canoe hulls, pre-dating the modern sport of surfing pioneered by the Polynesians and Hawaiians by over a thousand years. Modern surfing can be traced back to the 18th century, where it was a central part of ancient Polynesian culture, though it is unclear exactly where the sport first originated. It was first observed by Europeans in Tahiti in 1767 by Samuel Wallis, captain of the Dolphin, the first European ship to visit the island. The surfing culture was especially prominent in Hawaii, which surfing is still heavily linked to even today, and had a number of spiritual meanings and rituals attached to it, including asking the kahuna, or priest, to pray for a good surf that day. Mostly practiced by royalty and the upper-classes, it was also used to resolve conflicts as well as being a pastime and training exercise. Irish-Hawaiian George Freeth (1883-1919) was the first person to bring surfing to the United States, demonstrating his skills twice a day in California, where it quickly caught on with his invention of the original eight-foot longboard. The 1920s were an important decade for surfing, when a number of important innovations in surfing technology took place, with the introduction of the fin making the sport much easier and more accessible to those who wanted to surf. The 1950s saw the birth of the website by Jack O’Neill, allowing people to surf no matter what the temperature the water was. The following decade saw the high of the surfing craze and the origin of the shortboard, with professional competitions being introduced not long afterwards. Today, surfing is hugely popular at beaches all around the world, and the UK is no exception. Woolacombe is one of the UK’s top surfing spots and was also named the best English beach of 2014, making it unmissable for those who are passionate about the sport. With our Woolacombe self-catering accommodation not far from this glorious beach, Smythen Farm Holiday Cottages makes for the perfect spot for a night of relaxation following a day riding the waves. Photo: Everything Exmoor 17/12/2014

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Honey Pot Cottage
Honey Pot Cottage

Honey Pot is a beautiful, compact cottage ideal for couples. Honey Pot is dog-friendly and fully equipped for a comfortable break in North Devon.

  • Sleeps: 2. Rooms: 4
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Primrose Lane  Cottage
Primrose Lane Cottage

Primrose Lane cottage is a dog-friendly, compact cottage. Boasting a double bedroom, Primrose Lane cottage can sleep up to 3 with a pull out sofa bed ideal for children

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Buttercup Cottage
Buttercup Cottage

Buttercup Cottage is an ideal cottage for families, especially those with fury members as its dog-friendly. Located in the courtyard, Buttercup cottage can sleep 4

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Honeysuckle Cottage
Honeysuckle Cottage

Located in the courtyard, Honeysuckle Cottage is dog-friendly and ideal for families of up to 4.

  • Sleeps: 4. Rooms: 4
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Sea View  Cottage
Sea View Cottage

Sea View cottage is a superb, dog-friendly holiday cottage with stunning views across the North Devon coast. Ideal for families of 5. The bedrooms have the amazing view across the Sterridge valley and the Bristol Channel to Wales

  • Sleeps: 5. Rooms: 4
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Sunalways Cottage
Sunalways Cottage

Sunalways Cottage is a spacious, family-friendly cottage sleeping 5 with beautiful views of the Sterridge valley. The vaulted ceilings give a large bright spacious living area

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Fisherswood  Cottage
Fisherswood Cottage

Fisherswood Cottage is a large and spacious cottage with beautiful vaulted ceilings. Sleeping up to 5 guests.

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Forest View  Cottage
Forest View Cottage

Forest View Cottage is a large, spacious cottage ideal for large families. This cottage is dog-friendly and can sleep up to 6 guests.

  • Sleeps: 6. Rooms: 4
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Meadow Sweet Cottage
Meadow Sweet Cottage

Meadow Sweet is dog friendly and the largest cottage at Smythen Farm. Book this cottage early as its well sort-after for large families or 2 families sharing. Meadow Sweet boasts stunning views across the Sterridge Valley.

  • Sleeps: 10. Rooms: 4
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