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08/24/2005: Duke Kahanamoku...
”Today marks the birthday of one of Hawaii's most famous Duke Kahanamoku. A powerful swimmer, he won five medals at four different Olympics, retiring from competition at the age of 42.
He's credited with inventing the flutter kick, but is best remembered for his efforts to popularize surfing earning him the unofficial title, "father of international surfing."
Preferring old Hawaiian style boards, he often used a surfboard 16 feet long and weighing 114 pounds. He once rode a wave off Waikik Beach for nearly two miles.
When Duke Kahanamoku began his Olympic swimming, Hawaii was home to about 200-thousand people. Today, about 1.3-million call the island chain home.”
Courtesy of US News Wire.
Karen on 08.24.05 @ 03:08 PM CST
