OceanGybe Update: The Sitka Surfing Outreach Initiative, the Indian Ocean

The popularity of surfing and surfers has been in flux since the first wave riders experienced the thrill of rushing towards shore, powered by the liquid crashing force of waves. The ancient Polynesians and Hawaiians are heralded as the forefathers of our sport. Early European explorers and discoverers were astonished to see “savage” natives riding broken waves in their canoes or on rough hewn log planks, for no other purpose than recreation. Unfortunately, many of these early explorers were also vehement Christians spreading their versions of the word of God. They saw these smiling happy natives frolicking naked in the surf, enjoying themselves and decided this definitely had to be a pagan activity and promptly banned all surfing and naked bathing. Ever since then surfing has gone through periods of grace and disgrace in the eyes of the general populace and popular culture. Jack Johnson, Kelly Slater, Blue Crush, and Hollywood have all combined to see surfing and surfers riding an unprecedented wave of popularity these days…. Read more…