Introduction
Includes one photograph of a surfboard rider at La Jolla, California and a board portrait of Duke Kahanamoku.at Waikiki.
Sheffield actively promoted surfboard riding in California and later worked with Tom Blake in organising the first Pacific Coast Surfboard Championships in 1928.

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Page 13

The practice of immersing the body in water extends back to antiquity. In searching for authentic information we find that bathing was indulged in before Homer's time.
The Romans and Greeks acquired the accomplishment from the Assyrians about 800 B.C., the former carrying it to great extremes being exemplified in the marvelous baths of Caracalla at Rome.
The bathing laws of the women of ancient Greece have since proved of great importance in the history of mankind.
Those lacking in the knowledge of swimming were considered to be ignorant of the first principles of womanliness and manliness.
The Grecian woman, moreover, maintained that bathing "brought forth beauty," which was regarded as an art by the Greeks, for to enhance the beauty of the body was a duty to the Gods and the State.
Attention was not confined to the face, but to the perfect and symmetrical development of every part of the body, this splendid example being emulated throughout the Roman Empire.
Remains of their great baths are to be found in many parts of Italy and Great Britain, notably at Bath, England, which were undoubtedly built during the Roman invasion.
The phenomenal interest taken in the subject by every country and the public throughout the world during the last few years promises to make swimming an international movement for the everlasting benefit of humanity.
The time will come when swimming will be recognized as the most perfect form of exercise for all-round physical development yet discovered in the athletic world.

Page 159 SURF BOARD RIDING. LA JOLLA, CALIF. [Right] THE FAMOUS SURFBOARD CHAMPION, DUKE P. KAHANAMOKU, L. A. A. C.

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Page 167

Acqua (sic) Planing affords many thrills for the expert swimmers.
The board should be curved at the front, and attached to the stern of a fast running launch with stout ropes.
Planers should stand well back to give the necessary tilt for the forward half clearing the water, otherwise the Planer will be
pitched into the water.
It is advisable to allow sufficient tow-rope to clear the propeller.
One, two or more persons can have a jolly time when the guide ropes are held by one proficient in taking sharp turns.


The art of surfboard riding doesn't receive the attention it deserves from our eastern and western visitors and swimmers.
The surfboard riders of Honolulu ride these boards in all positions, and their exhibitions are marvels of fearless balancing.

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Sheffield, T.W.: Swimming in all its Branches Phillips Printing Company, Los Angeles, 1924. Hathi Trust https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc1.b4500446

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