Timeline : First Wave

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Pre 1930s

There is some evidence gathered by the Museum of British Surfing of stand up surfing in Britain before 1930. Bellyboarding and wave riding were enjoyed by many.

1930–1960

The Pioneers – when individuals went alone into the unknown with homemade surfboards.

1960s

The birth of a lifestyle. The early 60s saw the beginnings of a surf culture in Britain.

1970s

A decade of experimentation and the new shortboard revolution

1980s

Money begins to enter the world of surfing and the surfing equipment and fashion industries evolve.

1990s

Professional surfing and international industry sell surfing to the world; the UK is connected to a worldwide commercial surf culture

British society recognises surfing as a mainstream sport. Web cams and surfing websites mean that more people can access surf culture. UK surfers take the new frontier of big wave riding to a global stage.

2010–present

The First Wave has collected peoples’ reflections about contemporary surfing and how the sport might develop.