Ride the Divine Swells - Unveiling a Story on the Crests
In the upcoming broadcast on SAT 16.08.2025, a captivating movie will delve into the rich history and cultural significance of surfing. The broadcast times are as follows: SAT 16.08.2025 at 02:03 UTCSAT 16.08.2025 - 22:03 UTCSUN 17.08.2025 - 05:03 UTC. For viewers in specific regions, the broadcast will be adjusted accordingly. For instance, in Lagos it will be at UTC +1, in Cape Town at UTC +2, in Nairobi at UTC +3, in Delhi at UTC +5,5, in Bangkok at UTC +7, in Hong Kong at UTC +8, in London at UTC +1, in Berlin at UTC +2, in Moscow at UTC +3.
Surfing's origins can be traced back to Polynesia, where it emerged as a sacred cultural practice thousands of years ago. Islands like Tahiti, Samoa, and Hawaii held surfing in high regard, with chiefs often being the best surfers and the finest boards reserved for the ruling class. Surfing was not just recreation but also linked to warrior training and social status.
The first European accounts come from Captain James Cook’s 1769 voyage, where Joseph Banks observed Hawaiians surfing and described it as their chief sport. Surfing was traditionally called he‘e nalu in Hawaiian and fa‘ase‘e or se‘egalu in Samoan. Ancient surf temples existed, such as the one at Kahalu‘u Bay, highlighting surfing's cultural and religious significance.
However, Christian missionaries arriving in Polynesia in the late 18th and early 19th centuries generally disapproved of surfing and other indigenous practices, leading to a decline in its social status as missionaries influenced local customs and imposed Victorian morality. Yet, surfing survived and later experienced a worldwide resurgence, particularly from the early 20th century onward.
The modern worldwide resurgence of surfing began in Hawaii with figures like Duke Kahanamoku popularizing the sport internationally in the early 1900s. The expansion was further boosted by technological advances such as mass-produced fiberglass boards and wetsuits, allowing surfing in colder and more diverse locations worldwide. This global spread also involved native Hawaiian surfers teaching tourists, laying foundations for surf culture globally in places like California and Australia.
In the 1970s, a Polynesian cultural renaissance rekindled interest in native traditions, including surfing and traditional navigation techniques. The famous voyage of the Hōkūleʻa—a traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe—from Hawaii to Tahiti in 1976 reconnected Polynesians with their heritage, reinforcing surfing’s cultural legacy and oceanic identity.
Today, surfing is not only a sport but also a powerful expression of culture, particularly for the Polynesians who live with and on the water. The art of surfing is an ancient heritage passed down through generations, and the movie promises to capture this essence, featuring the stories of individuals who have been instrumental in surfing's journey from a Polynesian tradition to an Olympic sport.
The movie was filmed on the coasts of Tahiti, Hawaii, and California, offering a visual feast of the breathtaking landscapes that have played host to this ancient practice for centuries. For viewers across the globe, this broadcast presents an opportunity to delve into the rich history and cultural significance of surfing, and to appreciate its enduring connection to its Polynesian roots.
The movie will also explore the transformation of surfing from a Polynesian cultural practice into a globally recognized sport.
With sports-betting and sports-analysis gaining popularity worldwide, this broadcast aims to showcase surfing's cultural roots as a vital component of its appeal.
