advertising and surfing

Surfing has been used as an advertising tool for over 100 years. The sport's revival in Hawaii during the early 20th century was in fact greatly encouraged by Waikiki hotel owners and other regional boosters who recognized "surf-riding" as a romantic tourist-trade marketing device. Surfing was introduced to Southern California in 1907 when Waikiki surfer George Freeth, arriving on the mainland with a letter of introduction from the Hawaii Promotion Committee, was hired as a beachside attracti...