King Kamehameha Expert Surfer engraving
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineFrom an 1816 drawing by Louis Choris, "Expert Surfer"
Object numberART.16
DescriptionKing Kamehameha I, who united all the Hawaiian islands under one ruler, and Ka'ahumanu, his favorite wife, were expert surfers with a report of them "canoe leaping", whereby the surfer(s) leap off canoe with board while the canoe is on a wave. "This was a difficult feat and not often seen, but for Ka'ahumanu and the King (Kamehameha) it was easy. When they reached the place where the surf rose high they went along with the crest of a wave and slipped into the sea pool before the wave rolled over. Only the light spray of the surf touched them before they reached the pool. The spectators shouted and remarked to each other how clever the two were." (Lueras; 1984)
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