The complicated history of surfing - Scott Laderman

Today, surfing is a multi-billion-dollar global industry, with tens of millions of enthusiasts worldwide. For some it’s a serious sport; for others, just a way to let loose. But despite its casual association with fun and sun, surfing has a richer and deeper history than many realize. Scott Laderman shares the hidden history of surfing.

Lesson by Scott Laderman, directed by Silvia Prietov.

Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible.
Hiroshi Uchiyama, Adi V, Michal Salman, Peter Liu, Tamás Drávai, Mark Morris, Robert Sukosd, Catherine Sverko, Julie Cummings-Debrot, Ricardo Rendon Cepeda, Maya Toll, Jose Mamattah, Mauro Pellegrini, Javier Martinez Lorenzo, Ka-Hei Law, Chris, Tim Leistikow, Andrés Melo Gámez, Renhe Ji, Alex Serbanescu, Della Palacios, Vik Nagjee, Karen Goepen-Wee, Stephanie Perozo, Bryan Blankenburg.

[SpaceBabies]

The many different ways Polynesians conquered the seas before anybody else did is one of the most underrated chapters of history. Great video!

[saja]

As a polynesian person I watched this with trepidation, expecting my history to be trivialised and whitewashed as it all too often happens. I was pleasantly surprised. The content is accurate to the history handed down to me. Thanks

[sydney]

Breaks my heart that so many natives have died at the hands of cruel colonists who found them “sinful” and brought illness that killed so many. These fascinating, beautiful people and their culture amazes me. I can’t help but learn more. I find Polynesian and Maori culture so amazing. So incredibly complex and beautiful.

[astroash]

Man, tedEd really does videos on nearly everything.

[toolguyslayer]

Could you imagine a guy riding on a wave that is big enough to support a 20-foot board wow with no pollution no messed up coral perfect waves every time

[SMILEY]

A good chunk of history is just missionaries seeing something that is now relatively common and thinking it's a sin

[naosu]

Thanks Ted-Ed. As a part Native Hawaiian it's great to see surfing's history explained. The only minor detail is the structure that the surfers are standing on at the end. It looks very similar to a Mayan temple. Hawaiians did not create structures like that. My guess is that the artist looked at remnants of ancient temples, or heiaus, and extrapolated that design merging it with Mayan temples.

[TheRausing]

the idea that anyone could see someone riding a wave and declare it a sinful act is just so saddening..

[durpddurke]

"Sport of kings"
I'd pay to see all of the monarchs of today having a surfing competition. My money would go to Queen Elizabeth

[ikaikaxkeahi]

Us Hawaiians are proud people! Surfs up!!

[KostadinKody]

Who drew this? The art style is amazing!

[EddVCR]

I’m so glad we live in an age when we are more aware of the origins of many things and paying due respect to the native cultures, including surfing. There was a movement to make surfing into a whites-only exclusive sport, and they even hosted surfing competitions in Hawaii in which nonwhite surfers weren’t allowed to compete. Talk about disrespect, just stomping in and treating where people lived like it’s now their playground, while claiming the native sport as their own, even going so far as to say the natives are doing it all wrong.

[PowWowAnimations]

Anyone remember the movie Surf's Up?

[HarriW]

This was on my english language GCSE paper so thanks for giving me the context and something to write about. You guys are the best

[Moha-usin]

Haha, I thought the title said suffering instead of surfing.

You know, it would make an interesting video too.

[강민재]

서핑이 내가 생각했던것보다 풍부하고 깊은 역사가 있는것이 재미있었습니다. 내가 가벼운 스포츠로 밖에 생각하지 않은 서핑의 깊은 역사를 배웠습니다. 좋은 영상 감사합니다.

[blackmill]

This was so amazing to learn about :o I didn't realize how much history was behind surfing

[KarolinoPetrolino]

This might be my most favorite TED-Ed animation art style so far! Soo beautiful, great video!

[kpaisan-mh]

Thank you to the Hawaiian people and other Polynesians for the sport that saved me. Surfing changed my life in 1974.

[Dani]

5:15 "history's waves" is a very benevolent term for European colonialism and American imperialism