True history of SUP surfing

General Discussion
1

This is the real story about where SUP surfing started.

I’ve been working for the company Pops worked at for over 21 years, and some of the old timers told me that he used to keep his board at the Waikiki Sub Station. Several of his grand kids still work for HECO.

http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/currents_article/the_legendary_pops_ah_choy

2

"Eh I going use one big canoe paddle to help me catch waves" LOL

Thanks for that, never heard that part of the story before. 

3

Aloha Harry:

Mahalo for the share.  I still remember the yellow hard hat Pops use wear out at Pops.  I also recall Bobby and LeRoy changing film while standing up on their boards and giving surf lessons.  I was so lucky to witness all of those things even the short board revolution and the return of the longboard.  What a life!

Aloha to you and your ohana.

D

 

4

When I was a kid we would go to Oahu for surf contests in Waikiki.  I remember Leroy out on his big board stand up paddling taking pictures of the tourists riding waves in the surfing canoes.  He'd have one of those little disposable cameras and a bar stool on the board.  In between the sets he'd sit on the stool to rest. 

5

DMP, I was going to catch you on the disposable camara thing cause I knew they were made by fujifilm in 1986. But then I thought I would check out the history and found that HM stiles made a 8 shot disposable starting in 1948.

6

You know it was so long ago you might be right. It may have been a regular camera. We all thought he was crazy until you actually watched what he was doing. He had it totally wired. Catch a set next to the canoe, put the paddle under his arm and snap shots of the tourists. We’d wait and wait to see him fall but he never did, stool and all.

I guess he’d jam in and get the pictures developed before the tourist would leave. Less than one hour developing back then?

Either way it makes for a classic story.

I love Waikiki. If you look past the buildings and all the people it has a special magic. The waves just roll forever, light off shore all day, so easy and inviting. The cradle of our little culture.