Santa Cruz Honored by Hawaiian Royal Family
Contact: Christina Glynn, Communications Director/Film Commissioner
Phone: 831-429-7281, ext. 112, email: cglynn@santacruz.org
December 15, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA CRUZ, CA – Recently, a 27-by-27 inch plaque quietly arrived in Santa Cruz from Hawaii from the royal Kawananakoa family, commemorating the three Hawaiian princes who first introduced surfing to the mainland in Santa Cruz. Lawsuits and debate aside, the plaque is one of the first tangible pieces of evidence that Santa Cruz is indeed the birthplace of mainland surfing in the contiguous United States. The plaque will be installed at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum overlooking Steamer Lane, a short distance from where the princes originally surfed, and undeniably one of the best places to surf in the country. In 2006, Huntington Beach sued to ensure exclusive rights to the moniker “Surf City USA” and was awarded the title by a judge to use in promotional material. The longstanding debate, however, continues.
According to historical accounts, Hawaiian princes Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole, David Kawananakoa and Edward Keliiahonui visited family friends in Santa Cruz during their summer break from St. Matthew’s Hall, a military school for boys that they attended in San Mateo, in 1885. Admiring the waves breaking at what is now Cowell’s Beach, the princes approached a local lumber mill and commissioned redwood surfboards to be made. When they carried the 15-feet long, 100-pound boards to the mouth of the San Lorenzo River, Santa Cruz’s signature sport was born.
In June, Surfer magazine ranked Santa Cruz as the number one place to surf in the world, describing it as “The Real Surf City, U.S.A.”. Three other southern California beach communities made the list, although Huntington Beach was left out of the swell.
Santa Cruz has many similarities to the Sandwich Islands, and is quickly becoming an alternative destination that might fill the exotic void in us all with a Polynesian-inspired festival, mutual enthusiasm of a tiny guitar, a common sport and a shared love of all things low-key. At the Aloha Celebrity Races and Polynesian Festival each August, onlookers hula their way through flower lei’s, shaved ice, Maori face painting, print making, traditional dancing and other island arts. This open-air festival features teams of novice adventurers who jump into the nearest outrigger and paddle their way to the finish line, cheered on by the crowd.
Each Memorial Day Weekend, both amateur and professional surfers pay homage to the sport at the Annual Santa Cruz Longboard Club Invitational at Steamer Lane. The oldest and longest-running competitive surfing event on the West Coast, the Invitational raises funds for Santa Cruz-based organizations, including the Surfing Museum, and promotes the traditional surfing spirit while preserving the beauty of the sport.
For beginners ready to test their pipeline prowess, Richard Schmidt Surf School and Club Ed Surf School have been teaching surfing in Santa Cruz for nearly two decades. Students learn the basics of waves, how to safely navigate their boards in the water, and how to stand on their boards to catch a wave from a resting position. Classes are taught in small groups or one-on-one, and all ages are welcome.
To spread the “Aloha Spirit” with other ocean lovers, the Santa Cruz Longboard Union, the City of Santa Cruz, and several private individuals and businesses offer an “etiquette guide” surfers, kayakers, swimmers and others who enjoy the ocean can get stoked about. The Surfing Way: A Guide to the Waves gives suggestions to surfers and others on how to peacefully share the ocean. Specifically, the guide outlines some of the fundamental rules of surfing including right-of-way, safety and how to assess the condition of the waves. It’s the perfect accessory this season to promote harmony and peace as you go “toes to the nose” and shoot the curl.
To find surfing-related events and activities, visit www.surfsantacruz.travel or call 800-833-3494.
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