Surfing has become so popular around the world. It is one of the most favorite water sports on earth. However, not so many people know or care about the history or the origin of this game, especially the equipment of surfing of surfboard. Of course, we can not surf without surfboards. Therefore, in the post today I will give you brief history of surfing and surfboards with the aim that the more we understand about them, the more we love the game. I am sure that so many people, especially surfing lovers all know that surfing originated from Hawaii. Furthermore, it was invented in 17th century. You will think that Hawaiians were so sportive. However, not so many know the fact that at that time surfing was not created as a sport to play. It was in fact a production of spirituality and religion. It was not a recreational game at all. Hawaiians at that time thought that gods had brought waves to them and through waves gods made decisions. As a result, people there invented surfing as a way to address problems or resolve conflicts among people. That is the true reason for the creation of surfing that we all play now. The Hawaiians also created surfboards at that time to serve for their spiritual purposes. And the first surfboards were made from a kind of wood called solid red wood. Interestingly, those surfboards had quite same shapes as the modern ones. However, they were totally different in length and weigh. Because they ranged from 10 to 14 feet in size and 50 to 100 pounds in weigh. Actually, they were so heavy. I have wondered how those surfboards could afloat on water. One interesting reason to explain for that big size is the power. The chiefs of the islands would have the biggest boards as their powers. As a result, beside size and length, the materials to make those surfboards were also different due to classes. There are two types of redwood. One is Alaia and one is Olo. Olo was used by the rich and powerful people while that Alaia was used by the poor. These things once again showed us that the game of surfing at that time was not created to play as a recreational game but it was for religious reasons. Therefore, the materials that made up those surfboards can show us the status of one person in villages on the island. Fortunately, toady these surfboards are still kept and displayed in Honolulu. That is the first part of a long history of surfboards I have shared to you today. I will continue this topic in the next few posts. If you wnat to know more about the topic you can click the link of POP Paddleboard