Surfing: A Constant Evolution Of Riding The Waves

The sport of surfing has been around for centuries and is constantly evolving. In the last 100 years, advances in technology and several periods of rapidly growing interest have elevated surfing from a niche sport to a global phenomenon. The 1920s marked several significant changes that contributed to this growth and sparked even greater changes for the future. As the automobile became more accessible, so did the waves. The common use of cars to transport boards and explore new beaches allowed surfers to venture along the California coast, sharing the excitement of surfing with a new generation. This trend, in conjunction with advances in surfboard design, made the sport far more accessible to the public, leading up to the first major surf competition in 1928.

The development of intelligently-designed surfing equipment in the first half of the twentieth century helped newcomers overcome the difficulty of the sport. In particular, the advent of fins on surfboards allowed first-timers to learn quickly while enabling more experienced riders to accomplish more exciting and elaborate tricks.

Together, these factors helped the sport to pick up a wider fan base. Technological advances in board materials allowed for lighter, more maneuverable boards as redwood, balsa, and plywood boards gave way to modern Styrofoam and fiberglass designs in the late 1940s. Equally significant to the progressions in surfboard design was the development of the first practical wetsuit, designed by Body Glove founders Bill and Bob Meistrell in 1953. The use of body-hugging neoprene wetsuits allowed surfers to catch waves all year round in unprecedented comfort. Surfers could stay in the water longer, practice harder, and take full advantage of the continuing innovations in board design to explore new, radical tricks and surfing styles.

Ever since, Body Glove has remained committed to the constant evolution of surfing as a sport, a lifestyle, and a cultural phenomenon. It is no surprise that the advent of practical wetsuits coincided with the explosion of surfing’s popularity all over the world, and Body Glove is proud to be a part of that history and the constantly evolving world of surfing.