George Freeth
George Freeth (November 8, 1883 – April 7, 1919) is often credited as being the "Father of Modern Surfing". He is also thought[by whom?] to have been the first modern surfer.
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[edit] Biography
There is some confusion of where he came from with the Americans claiming him as one of theirs and Ulster saying he is theirs.[1] According to the San Diego Reader,[2] Freeth was born in Oahu in 1883. His mother was part-Hawaiian. His father was Irish. Freeth died at the age of 35 as a result of the global flu pandemic in 1919. Further information taken from various descendants,[3] mentions that his mother was Elizabeth Kailikapuolono Green, daughter of William Lothian Green and Elizabeth "Lepeka" Kahalaunani, a pure Hawaiian woman. Lepeka also conceived three daughters with Archibald Cleghorn, a well-known businessman of Honolulu. Cleghorn later fathered the well-known Princess Kaiulani with Hawaiian royalty Miriam Likelike, a sister to King David Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani.
[edit] Lifeguard Contributions
Freeth is credited by some with developing the rescue paddleboard and the rescue can, tools commonly used by lifeguards.[4] However, the United States Lifesaving Association asserts that the rescue can was designed by Captain Henry Sheffield in 1897.[5] Freeth has been reported to have received the Congressional Gold Medal for his heroic rescue of Japanese fishermen in storm conditions.[6] He did not however, according to the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, which issues the award.[7]
[edit] Theft of Bust
On August 7, 2008, it was reported that a bronze bust of Freeth was stolen from the Redondo Beach Pier where it was on display. Police have no leads but suspect that it is the latest victim of scrappers based on its copper content.[8]
His life and contribution to surfing and lifeguarding is a significant part of the documentary film Waveriders.
[2] www.GeorgeFreeth.com
- picklehead.com
- surfline.com biography
- Miles Kington of The Independent: The unheralded god who walked on water
- "100 years of hanging ten" - A tribute in the Los Angeles Times
- Wave Riders - exploring Freeth’s life and legacy
On November 7, 2010, George Freeth's bust was replaced in Redondo Beach, CA.
[edit] References
- ^ Caldwell, Johnny (2008-03-27). "Ulster roots man who gave world surfing". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7316872.stm. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
- ^ San Diego Reader | 90 Years of Curl at www.sandiegoreader.com
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://www.cmp.ucr.edu/exhibitions/ocean-view/essays/verge/default.html
- ^ Brewster, B. Chris (2003). Open Water Lifesaving, The United States Lifesaving Manual. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458: Pearson Custom Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 0536737355.
- ^ Elwell, John C.; Jane Schmauss, California Surf Museum (2007). Surfing in San Diego. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. p. 12. ISBN 9780738547565. http://books.google.com/books?id=-Of059RGrWoC&pg=PA12.
- ^ http://artandhistory.house.gov/house_history/goldMedal.aspx
- ^ Lin II, Rong-Gong (August 8, 2008). "Bust of surfing legend stolen". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-statue8-2008aug08,0,5701579.story.
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