The First Surf in the United States: How Three Hawaiian Princes Brought Surfing to Santa Cruz
From Prince to the Kings of Surf
When people think of surfing in California, images of sun-kissed beaches, wetsuits, and iconic breaks like Malibu and Mavericks often come to mind. But the true origin story of surfing in California doesn’t start in Southern California at all. It begins in Santa Cruz — and it begins with the Hawaiian royal family.
In the summer of 1885, three Hawaiian princes — Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, Prince David Kawānanakoa, and Prince Edward Abnel Keliʻiahonui — introduced the sport of surfing to the mainland United States. Riding solid redwood surfboards carved locally, they caught waves in Santa Cruz and forever changed the relationship between California and the sea.
Hawaiian Royalty and the Sacred Sport of Heʻe Nalu
Surfing, or heʻe nalu, was more than just recreation in Hawaii. It was a cultural practice with deep spiritual and communal significance. Members of the Hawaiian aliʻi (royalty) often surfed on the best boards and at the choicest breaks, while commoners also embraced the sport as a way of life.
The three princes who arrived in Santa Cruz were nephews of King Kalākaua, Hawaii’s “Merrie Monarch,” a ruler devoted to preserving and reviving native Hawaiian traditions. Their trip to California was part of their education at St. Matthew’s Hall, a military school in San Mateo. Yet, when summer came, they carried with them more than textbooks — they carried centuries of Hawaiian ocean culture.
Carving Redwood Surfboards in Santa Cruz
The princes didn’t bring surfboards with them from Hawaii, so when they reached Santa Cruz, they turned to the locals for help. With the assistance of local craftsmen and the abundance of California redwoods, the first mainland surfboards were made.
These were not the sleek fiberglass boards of today. They were massive redwood planks, heavy but buoyant, requiring strength and balance to ride. When the Hawaiian princes launched into the waves, the townspeople were astonished — never before had they seen humans stand up and glide across the sea.
Their rides at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River were more than a spectacle; they were the birth of California surfing.
The Role of the Santa Cruz Community
The princes were welcomed warmly in Santa Cruz. Locals didn’t just help them build boards — they supported and encouraged their efforts in the surf. These partnerships show the unique way Hawaiian traditions merged with Californian hospitality, creating a cultural bridge between islands and coastlines.
Dr. Jason Old, a historian and storyteller featured in this episode of Get On My Corner, explains it best:
“What the Hawaiian princes gave to California wasn’t just a sport — it was a gift of culture, heritage, and spirit. And what Santa Cruz gave in return was a community willing to embrace it, shaping the identity of Surf City forever.”
Santa Cruz: The Birthplace of Surfing in California
While cities like Huntington Beach often claim the title of “Surf City,” the reality is that Santa Cruz is where surfing first took hold in the United States. Today, the city honors this history with surf museums, cultural festivals, and a thriving surf scene that continues to pay homage to its Hawaiian roots.
From Steamer Lane to Cowell Beach, surfers from around the world flock to Santa Cruz to experience waves where history was made. Every surfer who paddles out here — beginner or pro — carries forward the legacy of the Hawaiian royal family.
Why This Story Still Matters
Surfing in California isn’t just about sport; it’s about heritage, resilience, and cultural exchange. The Hawaiian princes of 1885 connected two worlds across the Pacific, and their influence has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry and a lifestyle embraced worldwide.
As Dr. Jason Old reminds us:
“When you stand at the shoreline in Santa Cruz, you’re not just looking at waves. You’re looking at the exact place where Hawaiian culture reshaped California forever.”
Plan Your Visit
📍 Location Coordinates
Santa Cruz, CA
Latitude/Longitude: 36.9620, -122.0251
Walk the same beach where Jonah, David, and Edward Kawānanakoa first rode the Pacific on redwood planks — and feel the spirit of surfing’s origin story.