Topic: Surfboards Purpose: To inform the class about the invention of surfboards and how they have progressed. Central idea: To give the audience information on how the surfboard was invented, history, how its improved, and a little information about the sport of surfing. Introduction: Surfing is something I’ve always been interested in. My dad surfs, my uncle surfs, I just grew up around surfing and the ocean. I’ve been surfing for three years. I wanted to tell you guys how the surfboard was invented, how it’s used and improvements, and the sport of surfing.
II. How the style and material of the board have progressed in time. III. The surfboard has created the sport of surfing. A now world recognized sport. Body : I. A. The invention of the surfboard. 1. In Hawaii, depending on your location what kind of wood you used. Royalty would use the best wood and have the longest boards. 2. Imagine a surfboard that was made of solid wood that was 10-16 feet long. 3. Use of solid wooden surfboards was recorded by ancient explorers and travelers including the Englishman Captain Cook when he visited Hawaii in 1777 B.
Surf style with the old boards 1. With the solid surfboards you could only surf in a straight line. 2. The boards would weigh from 77 lbs to 150lbs depending on the length and amount of wood. II. The materials and add-ons to the board have created a whole new way to surf. A. Material of board 1. In the 1920’s Tom Blake created a wooden framework which was covered with plywood and they were then varnished to make a hollow surfboard. 2. The introduction of fiberglass in the 1940’s meant that strong, light, waterproof board would now go a long way.
Short boards are usually made of fiberglass. 3. A good beginner board would be boards made of foam. They are light weight to bring in the water and in the water. B. Surf board Leash 1. The surfboard leash was developed by Pat O’Neill and introduced in 1971. 2. Before the leash, when surfers fell off their boards they would have to swim to get their boards. Now with the leash it’s connected to them. C. Fins 1. The first fin was placed on the surfboard by Tom Blake in 1935. 2. Fins create stability and control.
Fins allowed surfers to direct the board and keep it stable. 3. Later they would add up to three fins to the back of the board. Most of the surfboards today have a thruster fin set up that allows smooth carving turns, gives control over the surfboard and provides drive on the wave. III. The sport of surfing A. How surfing spread 1. People would then start opening shops around California and Hawaii. Like Dale Velzy, a California surfer and board shaper opened the first surf shop in 1950. His shop soon branched into chains. 2.
With shops like Velzy they would sponsor a surf teams. 3. These competitions would then become entertainment for costal folks in the area. Also a leisure sport. 4. In the 1960s movies like The Endless Summer took surfing to a national level and helped to spread awareness. Conclusion: I. Surfing is something that brings me so much happiness and peace at heart. The surfboard has really came a long way from when the ancient Hawaiians made it. II. I really wanted to inform the class how it was created and how much it’s improved.
With fins, leashes, and different board materials there is a board for everyone. III. With movies, sponsors, and shops the awareness of surfing has grown. Surfing goes from North America, to Europe, to Asia, and the pacific islands. Citations Fletcher, Joe. “Who Invented the Surfboard? ” EHow. Demand Media, 12 Dec. 2008. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. . “HISTORY OF THE SURFBOARD. ” Wetsuits, Surfboards, Snowboards, Videos and Boardblog. N. p. , n. d. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. . “Surfboard Fin History. ” The Surfing Handbook. N. p. , n. d. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. .
