Hawaiian Solid Timber Surfboard top view

Victorian Louis Whyte travelled to Hawaii in 1919. He spent six months at Waikiki learning how to surf, and bought this surfboard (and three others) from famous Hawaiian swimmer/surfer Duke Kahanamoku. Returning to his home in Geelong, Whyte took to the waves with friends along what is now known as Victoria's Surf Coast in 1920. This is the first known instance of surfing in Victoria with Louis and surfing friends "Blue" Harper, Alan McGillivray and Bill Hale riding these boards at Lorne and Anglesea. These boards, made from Californian Redwood are 8'6" long 20" wide and 3" thick and weigh over 40 kilograms.

top view