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Duke Kahanamoku at Cronulla, 7 February 1915.

Extracts from
The St. George Call, January - February 1915.
The Propeller, February 1915.
Cronulla SLSC Newsletter, circa 1960.

Introduction
There are several local announcements of the fothcoming exhibition at Cronulla, although they emphasise swimming rather than surfriding.
The attendance at Cronulla was formalised early in the tour, initially announced by W. Corbett in The Sun on
12th January 1915, page 7.
The detailed report of the activites of 7th February in the St George Call appears as two parts.
The first is a reasonably detailed account of the day's events while the second, prefaced as "A few things the Club need not do the next time the Duke & Co. visit Cronulla", is an attempt to put a humorous perspective on the proceedings, essentially at the expense of the members.
The more formal account maybe the source of much of the detail in the unaccredited report, possibly from a Cronulla SLSC newsletter, dated circa 1960.

The St. George Call
30 January 1915, page 4.

SURF SPLASHES On Sunay afternoon, February 7th, at about 3 in the afternoon, Duke Kahanamoku, the world's natatorial marvel will be seen at Cronulla beach.
He is accepting the hospitality of the Cronulla boys in the form of a day's outing around the beauty spots of the Shire, and will swim in the afternoon as mentioned.
The Propeller
5 February 1915, page 1.

The Surf Expert Duke Kahanamoku, the 100 yds. world's champion swimmer, will visit Cronulla Beach on Sunday afternoon and will give an exhibition at 3 o'clock.
At the invitation of the Cronulla Surf Club he will visit the beauty spots of the Sutherland Shire.
The St. George Call
6 February 1915, page 5.

SURF SPLASHES Duke Kahanamoku, the World's Champion, at Cronulla on Sunday afternoon.
A big draw.

The Surf bathing Association' officials visited Cronulla on Sunday last to put through a number of members for the Association's medallions.
The following were successful: J. Hallet, N. Deacon, F. Postle, E. Wilshire, L. Newman, S. Short, C. Ray, R. Whipp, W. Duff, R. Emanuel.
In addition to these it will be pleasing to know that Capt. Stroud and Vice-Captain Cutherbertson secured the Association's highest award - that of Instructor.

The St. George Call
13 February 1915, page 5.

CRONULLA SURFING The Duke's party, consisting of Duke Kahanamoku, George Cuhna, Harry Hay, W. Hill and officials of the Aus. A. S. A.: W. Scott, Marks, and officals of the N.S.W.A.S.A., and D. McIntyre, and officials of the Surf B. Assn., altogether a very representative gathering of Sydney swimming powers that be, was met at Sutherland station by the following members of the Cronulla Life Saving Club, with their cars, J. Munro, J. Halett, D. Bouffier, L. Giddings, and F. Stroud, and whirled off to Waterfall, returning to National Park via Lady Carrington's Drive.
Alfesco luncheon at Audley.
The toast of the visitors was given by the Club captain, who expressed the Club's appreciation at being given the opportunity of entertaining such distinguished members of the swimming world as Duke and George Cuhna, and hoped that Cronulla's welcome would bring them an enjoyable day.
The toast was responded to by the Duke, G. Cuhna, W. Hill, E. Marks and R. Doyle, brevity being the order of the day, all thanking the Club for its hospitality.
Mr. Doyle remarked that if he remembered the day by nothing else, the run down Lady Carrinton's Drive would never be forgotten and he registered a debt of gratitude to the Club.
Apropos of mr. Doyle's remarks, it was extrodinary from the remarks of other prominent Sydney men, world scourers too, t5hat they should have missed the beauties of that gully so near sydney all their lives.
Incidentally, the five drivers, local men at that, had not been through before either, but did not say so.
Lunch over, the launch was waiting to run the party down the river to Cronulla, where the beach was gay with bunting and packed with people.
The party was met by the Shire president, Mr. Hyman.
Unfortunately, Jupiter Pluvius and Father Neptune were in a bad mood and spoilt the afternoon, the former dumping water where it was not wanted and the latter would nor stir his up at all.
An alarm reel race was held, between the Duke, Cunha and Hay, the linesman being made up of the clubmen.
There was much guessing as to who the winner would be as the two Hawaiins (sic)had never been in the belts before, and Hay is one of the fastest beltmen in the State.
However, the Duke made good use of his long legs in the wade out and beat Hay by a yard.
Cuhna could not get use to the belt and line at all, swimming a crawl stroke he nearly wrenched his toes off, catching them on the line.
The Duke then adjourned to the big beach as there was more roll on there, and gave an exhibition with his board that will be long remembered by those who saw him.
Standing upright, standing on his head, diving off, twisting the board.
It all looked so ridiculously easy, and so it was to the Duke, but local men who tried after came to the conclusion that they had a lot to learn about the game.
One wants to try and stand on that unstable piece of wood, even in smooth water, to appreciate fully the sight of that bronze statue tearing in through broken and choppy seas.
Tea was held in the new pavillion and the party adjourned to the captain's house for a couple of hour's music, the Duke and George Cuhna rendering an item in Hawaian (sic), the Duke providing the accompaniment on his eucalalia (sic, ukulele/ukelele).
The visitors declared themselves delighted with the day, before leaving.
The two Hawaians (sic) proved themselves unassuming gentlemanly fellows, good sports, very much "one of the boys" variety, who set no hugh (sic, huge) price on their services, but did all they could without stint.
Altogether the Committee congatulate itself on the success of the day.

A few things the Club need not do the next time the Duke & Co. visit Cronulla.
Prince Henry Joe needn't bolt from Sutherland and take all the party down to Audley to start the run through Lady Carrington's Drive.
Jack needn't make up his mind the Duke's going with him in his car, "Nor walk" either.
The Captain needn't break his petrol pipe and try to borrow soap from every passing car.
Lance needn't try to shift the gate post with his dash board again, it hurts.
The "Waverley" nearly met its "Waterloo".
Jack needn't try to shift the same post with his rear wing, it also hurts.
The whole of the Club needn't take the invitation, when the Duke says "Pas a 'bernaner,' " one can have too much of a good thing.
Raining "bernaners" isn't raining manna.
The divers needn't kid they know every inch of the "Drive" when they start off by going to the wrong end.
Some members needn't give exhibition rescues in Port Hacking, the country has more use for them on the Suez Canal, if they want to take a risk.
The blubber needn't be so thick on the big beach.
The Duke needn't say "Gee, these stingarees are hot."
The captain needn't look for red marks on the Duke to rub ammonia on where the blubber stung.
The same chap needn't try to get twenty on his car when it will take only neneteen.

Unaccredited
Possibly Cronulla SLSC Newsletter, circa 1960.

One of the first famous international visitors to the Club (Cronulla) was Duke Kahanamoku, the world famous exponent of surfboard riding and at present a prominant civic dignitary of Honolulu.

Exacting preparations for his 1915 visit were undertaken by the club in an effort to make him feel at home. (1.)
The Duke and his party were welcomed to the district by the club on leaving the steam train at Sutherland.
Through the generosity of club members, F. Stroud, J. Hallet, J. Munro, L. Giddings, N. Bouffier and J. Hill Sr. making their cars available the visitors were transported to Audley via Waterfall and Lady Carrington Drive.

After lunch at Audley, the party joined the ferry to Cronulla, hence to the beach for surfing.

Tea was arranged in the Park Pavillion after which the party returned to Sutherland for the farewell ceremony.
The Duke brought with him a surfboard (one of at least three made in Australia) which he presented to the Surf Bathing Association of NSW. (2.)

While there were already surfboard exponents on our own and other metroplitan beaches, Duke Kahanamoku first focused public attention on surfboard riding in NSW. (3.)

The visit of this famous surfer also had effect on the local talent.
The Duke's board (the one noted above) later became the property of noted club member, Ron "Prawn" Bowden, who sold it to Fred Locke, who in turn signed it over to the inimitable Jack McTigue. (4.)

Jack, chivalrous character that he was, gave it to a certain beautiful surf siren but alas she married another (ungrateful hussey, recalls Jack).

Duke Kahanamoku, board and Cronulla SLSC members
Cronulla NSW 6th February 1915
Image cropped from Warshaw : Surfriders (1997) page 16.

Notes :
1. Indicates the importance of the visit to club members.
2. Confirms the existence of more than one Duke Kahanamoku board in 1915
3. Indicates Sydney "surfboard exponents" existed on the southern beaches before 1915.
4. Duke Kahanamoku's Cronulla board was subsequently ridden by at least three other riders.

This uncredited commentary is copied from a framed article and photograph (see version above)
displayed at Cronulla Surf Design Surf Shop, Cronulla Street Mall, Cronulla NSW. circa 2000

The article is probably taken from a Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club history, printed circa 1960 for the club's 50th anniversary (started 1909).
Similar publications, jointly published/funded with the ASLA, are known for Manly (Harris), Freshwater (Myers), Deewhy (Thomas) clubs and the Illwawarra branch (Middleton).
It is less probably from retrospective article in a small print run Club magazine or newsletter.

The detail and familiarity of the author with the participants indicate the text was probably transcribed within 50 years of the events, Duke Kahanamoku entered public office in 1934, and left in 1960, he suffered heart problems in 1956 and 1962 and died in 1968.
Hence the document is dated circa 1960.

Duke visits Cronulla,6 February 1915 - Map

	Train from Central station, Sydney to Sutherland		Official welcome and departure, Sutherland
	Club Members' Cars, Sutherland to Audley via Waterfall		Lunch, Audley
	Ferry, Audley to Cronulla		Surfing demonstration followed by tea at the Pavillion,Cronulla. Return by ferry.

Map by surfresearch.com.au, 2002

Sutherland station, circa 1900.
Hiferty page 35.

Audley Boatshead and Weir, circa 1900.
Hiferty page 35.

Duke Kahanamoku and Party,
Audley, Royal National Park, 7 February 1915.
On the way to the Cronulla exhibition.

The handwritten caption reads:
Charge your glasses
Here! Here!
National Park
Feb 7 1915.
Duke P. Kahanamoku
"Nui Nalu"
Honolulu, T.H.

Image reprinted in
Mackie: Pacific Portal - Pictorial Cavalcade
Souvenir of the Sutherland Shire.
Unpaginated, 1950.

The image is on a page titled "going places! Knights of the Surfboard" and is printed below a doctored photograph by Doc Ball of Tom Blake, Johnny Gates and Gard Chapin at Palos Verdes, circa 1945.
The Kahanmoku photograph has the printed caption:
"SURFING during the first World War hits a new high,
As the years rolled by, the sport gained momentum.
Cronulla was the mecca for aquaticians of all countries.
Here is the famous Hawaiian champion, Duke P. Kahanamoku (centre) with friends at National Park. Mr. Jack Hallett, famous Cronulla motor-boatman and aquaplanist:, took "the Duke" under his wing during his visit to the Shire in 1915."

Duke Kahanamoku:
Cronulla Beach, 7th February 1915.

1. Warshaw : Surfriders (1997) page 30
(credited as Freshwater, 1914)
2. Kampion: Stoked (1997) page 40.
(Freshwater, inferred)
3. Thoms: Surfmovies (2000) page 22.

Cronulla beach, circa 1905.
Longhurst: Lifesaver (2000) page 17.