Google Doodle marks birth anniversary of ‘Father of Modern Surfing’

Today's surfboard-shaped Google Doodle celebrates the birth anniversary of the long-celebrated father of modern surfing from Honolulu, Hawaii. Yes, we are talking about Duke Kahanamoku, who scripted an impressive success story by winning Olympic gold medal in swimming five times.

Kahanamoku was a skilled wave-rider, but his real gift to surfing was the way he presented the sport as something that could be practiced with grace, humour, and generosity.

In 1912, he easily qualified for the US Olympic swimming team. And then, at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, he won a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle, and a silver medal with the second-place US team in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay.

During the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Kahanamoku won gold medals both in the 100 meters (bettering fellow Hawaiian Pua Kealoha) and in the relay. He finished the 100 meters with a silver medal during the 1924 Olympics in Paris, with the gold going to Johnny Weissmuller and the bronze to Duke's brother, Samuel Kahanamoku. At age 34, this was Kahanamoku's last Olympic medal. He also was an alternate for the US water polo team at the 1932 Summer Olympics.

After retiring from the Olympics, Kahanamoku travelled internationally to give swimming exhibitions. It was during this period that he popularised the sport of surfing by incorporating surfing exhibitions into these visits as well.

Kahanamoku was celebrated for decades as a swimming and surfing hero. He also socialised with Charlie Chaplin, John Wayne, Babe Ruth, and other sports and entertainment giants. In 1957, Kahanamoku appeared on the popular NBC show 'This is Your Life,' according to Encyclopedia of Modern Surfing.

In 1968, Kahanamoku died of a heart attack at age 77. He was married, but had no children. He was also the first inductee into the International Surfing Magazine Hall of Fame (in 1966), as well as the Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame (1994).