Where is the birthplace of surfing?

The first surfing references were found in Polynesia. Cave painting from the 12th Century show people riding on waves. In the course of seafarings, Polynesians brought surfing to Hawaii and the sport went viral. Surfing in Hawaii wasn't only a sport but also an important part of the religion.



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Officially, the origin of surfing is located in Polynesia, more than 500 years ago. However, there are many who believe that the cradle of surfing is the Peruvian coast, specifically in the north, where little reed horses have been used since pre-Inca times.

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Did you know that Santa Cruz is the birthplace of mainland surfing? Using boards fashioned from redwood planks, three Hawaiian princes showed locals how to hang ten in 1885. You can learn this history at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum which chronicles 100 years of local surf culture.

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1. Nazaré, the surfing capital of Europe. Nazaré, on the west coast of Portugal, is probably the most famous surfing spot in Europe. The town owes its reputation as the surfing capital of Europe to the Nazaré Canyon, an underwater ravine that reaches a staggering depth of 5,000 metres.

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But when it comes to epic waves, there's only one place on earth known as the “surf capital of the world.” The epic beach we're talking about is Pichilemu. Pichilemu is located in the center of Chile, right by the coast. It is a rough three-hour drive from Chile's capital, Santiago, to Pichilemu.

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For those into surfing, it is a well-known fact that Newquay in Cornwall is widely known as the surfing capital of the UK, but our data puts Croyde in Devon at the top. Read on to discover the other most sought-after surfing destinations throughout the country.

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Oahu, Hawaii, USA CNN named Oahu's Pipeline as the world's number 1 surf spot, though only experts will be able to ride these legendary 6-meter waves. Fortunately, there are also plenty of other breaks located on the island that is the birthplace of modern surfing.

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