Did Surfing Start In Africa? - Stab Mag

Now Live: Best Surfing I've Ever Seen With Nate Lawrence

1763 Views

Did Surfing Start In Africa?

New film “Wade In The Water” looks to explore the true roots of our pastime.

elsewhere // Feb 1, 2023
Words by Holden Trnka
Reading Time: 2 minutes

As with any piece of history from centuries ago, the origins of surfing have always been a bit blurry. The general consensus for years has been that our “Sport Of Kings” began in Hawai’i, and spread from there.

Along with many other important goals — including dismantling racial barriers — new independent film Wade In The Water looks to inform the public about where surfing really started; Africa.

Featuring insight from Sweet Adventure star and Vans Pipe Masters commentator Selema Masekela, the film weaves historical accounts with modern-day testimonials to explore the history of black surfing.

We got a sneak peak and…it’s great. It’s also premiering through the next month (which happens to be Black History month) and you can watch it at these dates/locations.

Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 5:40pm

Sunday, February 12, 2023 at 2:40pm

Pan African Film Festival

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Surfrider LA + Patagonia Santa Monica

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 6:30pm

San Diego State University / Black Resource Center

Thursday, February 23, 2023 @ 6:00pm

California African American Museum

by Guest Curator Alison R. Jefferson, M.H.C. | Ph.D.

August 2023 – March 2024

Sofia Art Film Festival (Bulgaria)

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Mannheim Art and Film Festival (Germany)

Saturday, July 8, 2023

Wade in the Water: The Documentary examines the often overlooked history of Africa’s 1,000-year-old surf tradition spanning from Senegal to Angola. Piloted by historical experts and community leaders in the BIPOC surfing movement, this cinematic film traverses historical footage and recreations, photography, original illustrations, live-action footage, and interviews.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Is Nat Young’s 4.03 A Symbol Of Surf Judging Demise, Or A Harmless Scoring Aberration?

World champs, super coaches, WSL commentators and more sound off on the state of surf…

May 1, 2024

How Stretch And Nathan Fletcher SpaceX’d Surfboard Design Into The Future

“I brought the boards to Hawaii and everybody laughed at me. Everyone except Michael Ho…

Apr 30, 2024

Doug Silva Is The Skullet-Locked 12x World Party Champ Working Wonders For Seth Moniz’s Tour Trajectory

Here's how he uses EDM + storytelling to snap talent into 'infected alligators'.

Apr 30, 2024

Marti Paradisis On The New Shipsterns Safety Initiative + The Laziness Of Bandwagoning Swell Carnivals

Before calling Shipsterns Bluff and getting flexed, read this. 

Apr 28, 2024

Full Frame: A 15-Minute, One-Wave Pipe Session

"Oh shit, that was kind of nuts, I think I think I'm just gonna go…

Apr 27, 2024

Want Half-A-Brain? Keep Calling Helmets Lame

Kai Lenny surfs hideous Jaws + Mavs + Waimea, joins esteemed list of surfers to…

Apr 27, 2024

80 Men And 48 Women Enter The CS Gauntlet — Only 15 Will Survive

Your 2024 Challenger Series x Gold Coast Pro preview.

Apr 26, 2024

The Best Surfing I’ve Ever Seen: Nate Lawrence

Kolohe, Cola Bros, Luke Davis, Crane, and "the most magical 3 weeks ever had in…

Apr 25, 2024

Snapper To Return To The CT In 2025(!) + WSL Announces Season Wildcards

Next year is looking up. Here's what we know...

Apr 25, 2024

Kelly Slater Will Surf In Tahiti And Fiji CT Events — And He’s Bringing A Secret Weapon With Him

What's it like to coach an 11x champ? We asked Glenn "Micro" Hall.

Apr 24, 2024

Watch: A Masterclass In Belated Drops At The Teepee Capital Of The World

And the rest of the O’Neill team sticks the landing in Hawaii.

Apr 24, 2024

How Sophie McCulloch Broke Her Back At The Box Three Days After Being Cut From The CT

The untold brutal side story of finals day in WA.

Apr 24, 2024

The Cut Wasn’t The Surf Fans’ Idea — But It Might Be Our Fault

Psychoanalyzing surfing’s highly sadistic audience (us!).

Apr 23, 2024

How Surfers (And Skiers/Snowboarders) Could Be Using Buoys Better

Snow in Japan = waves at Pipe = snow in Utah, @PowderBuoy told us.

Apr 22, 2024

How Did Sydney’s Hottest Landscape Architect Stack So Many Clips Less Than 10Kms From Centrepoint Tower? 

Fraser Dovell is a man of culture, taste and jabbing North Av lefts in the…

Apr 22, 2024

Full Frame: The Other Side Of Nazaré

The death of a wave, and the birth of an entire genre of surf. 

Apr 21, 2024

Jack Robbo Double Beats Double John At Margies, Gabriela Bryan Dodges Dolphins For Maiden Win

The cut is finished - WA finals recap.

Apr 21, 2024

Watch: A Leisurely Day With Fingal’s-Most-Wanted Foamball Wrangler

Lungi Slabb and filmmaker Beren Hall offer insight into the exact specs which bring GoPro…

Apr 20, 2024
Advertisement