Surfing is a prime activity along coastal areas with waves and sand – but few know the complex and colorful history of this favorite summer pastime.  Though many think of avid surfers as “beach bums” with poor English and alternative ambitions, historical surfers considered their hobby religious expression and a form of art.

The origins of surfing are not completely known, but can be traced back to Polynesian peoples and existed before the first Europeans arrived to the Pacific islands.  Surfing was first described by a crew member of the HMS Endeavour in 1779, who noted that locals wooden boards made from long trees on the waves.  The upper classes were afforded the best surfboards – and took control of the best parts of the beach.

Ancient Hawaiian culture was also richly involved in surfing.  Considered an art form, surfers would begin their surf by praying for protection and visiting a preist if necessary to provide them a strong wave and protection from the ocean.  Surfers also placed fish as offering to the gods in the holes left by the trunks of trees that they dug up to fashion their surfboards.

Surfing spread by means of word-of-mouth and modern transportation to Australia and North America, and around the early 1900′s it began to grow in popularity in Hawaii and surfing was revived as a sport.  Today, interested French- and English-speaking young surfers can surf au costa rica with Canadian tour group Beach Travellers.  Enjoy all the best surf spots Costa Rica has to offer with the fun and security of a guide as well as a group of like-minded individuals.  Beach Travellers also organizes trips to Bali, Brazil, and sejours thailande.  Visit them online for more information.