International Surfing Day is a holiday observed on the third Saturday in June. The purpose of this holiday is not only to honor the sport of surfing but also to celebrate everyone who embraces this beach lifestyle. It’s a day for people to enjoy the sun and sand, the surf, and their connection with the natural world.

Of course, this day isn’t just about fun and games. It’s also a serious holiday that brings together environmentalists, beachcombers, and surfers from all around the world to consider marine conservation and to work towards protecting our beaches and seas.

The History of International Surfing Day

Surfing is a sport that has been enjoyed for centuries, and most historians agree that it probably began in Polynesia. In 1778, the first recorded encounter between Westerners and Polynesian surfers occurred while Captain James Cook was visiting Hawaii.

However, even though surfing has been practiced for hundreds of years, it didn’t become a recognized sport until the 20th century. This is when Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku popularized it in both Australia and California. From these two locales, the sport soon spread across the globe until it became the sport that we know and love today.

A sport enjoyed by millions of people of all skill levels and ages. In 2004, International Surfing Day was founded by the Surfrider Foundation. This non-profit organization is dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans and beaches.

They wanted to create a holiday that not only emphasized the importance of keeping our beaches and oceans clean but also celebrated surfing at the same time. It didn’t take long for other people to join in on this holiday, and it quickly became a global event.

Observing International Surfing Day

As mentioned earlier, International Surfing Day is a global event observed worldwide. As such, there are events just about everywhere there’s a beach. There are beach cleanup campaigns, surfing contests, BBQs, cookouts, and a variety of other events that take place on this day.

It’s a day for people to come together to enjoy good company, good food, and Mother Nature — all while watching people surf or taking the time to surf themselves. This is also a good day for those inclined to learn how to surf.

And finally, fans of surfing, beach culture, and the ocean can help protect all three by taking the time to spread the word about this holiday online with the hashtag #InternationalSurfingDay.