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Story: Lifesaving and surfing

Duke Kahanamoku

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Duke Kahanamoku

Popular among Māori until the arrival of European missionaries, surfing underwent a revival after the visit of champion Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku in 1915.

Using this item

Canterbury Museum, Canterbury Times Collection

Reference: 1923.53.433

Permission of Canterbury Museum, Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch, New Zealand must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Nancy Swarbrick, Lifesaving and surfing – The rise of surfing, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7368/duke-kahanamoku (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 2 March 2009.