Centuries of River Surfing History in Hawai’i – Resetting the Global Narrative

Don Piburn began river surfing on Wyoming’s Snake River in 1988.  The prevailing global narrative was and continues to be that river surfing began in Germany in 1972, but narratives evolve when previously unknown or unsung history comes to light.  Articles in Hawaiian-language newspapers and other period writings by Native Hawaiians, early missionaries, explorers, and travelers to Hawai’i in the nineteenth and early twentieth century reveal this truth: As with all things surfing, it was Native Hawaiians who first elevated the act of surfing on stationary river waves to the level of a sporting practice.

Don will discuss the ancestral history of “he’e pu’e wai (River Surfing), and share insights on how lifeguards, body boarders, and surfers at the Waimea Valley on O’ahu played a pivotal role in the global rebirth of this very Hawaiian sport.

Don Piburn (M.S. Ed) grew up surfing and was an outlaw skateboarder, backcountry snowboarder and a pioneer North American River Surfer. He is considered a premiere sport historian of he’e pu’e wai (River Surfing). Don retired from a 35 year career in education. During that time, he held leadership roles at the state, national and international level and travelled extensively in leadership, project support, training, and as a presenter. Don has been an HTMC member since 1996 and hikes regularly with the club.

5:30 pm Potluck 

7:00 pm Presentation

Please RSVP to attend the event CLICK HERE. Mahalo!

The HTMC clubhouse is located in a residential area, a block from Waimanalo beach at 41-023 Puuone Street, Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795.

HTMC events are open to non-members and guests, please CLICK HERE to pay the $5 clubhouse usage fee. Mahalo!