subject: Meta Title: Sydney, A Surfers Paradise [print this page] Surfing has been a part of the Australian culture since the early 20th century. Proponents of the sport travel here from all over the world in search of the epic waves that occur along the countrys coastlines. With a variety of breathtakingly beautiful beaches that have waves of all shapes and sizes located within easy access of many of the best Sydney hotels, the city is certainly a surfers paradise.
History of Surfing in Australia
While the story has a few variations, it is said that in Australia, in the summer of 1915, Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku rode a wave on a solid surfboard shaped from a piece of Queensland Sugar Pine. The Duke paddled out onto the face of a breaking wave and caught it back to the beach, standing tall on the surfboard. The audience on the beach was captivated by the skill and grace that the Duke utilised in order to ride the wave.
Next, a 16-year old Australian girl from the audience, Isabella Letham, was selected by the Duke to accompany him on his surfboard. While she lay forward on the board, the Duke paddled out through the water before they returned to the beach riding a wave. She became the first official record of an Australian learning to surf.
After that, surfing caught on quickly with the locals and captured the hearts of sporting Australians. A whole way of life developed around the sport and the search for the perfect wave that still continues today. If you stay in any of the best Sydney hotels a great surf beach will never be too far away.
Beaches
Bondi Beach: Located just 10km from the city centre and home to several of the best Sydney hotels, this is Australia's most famous stretch of sand. The surf-crazy south end of the beach has excellent waves year round and attracts thousands of locals and tourists.
Cronulla Beach: Cronulla Beach is one of the longest beaches around the city, with plenty of activities to engage in from surfing, to fishing and whale watching. Shark Island, which is located just off Cronulla Beach, is famous for surfing and body boarding. It is home to the annual Shark Island Challenge body boarding and surfing contest.
Narrabeen Beach: One of Australias iconic surfing and swimming beaches, Narrabeen Beach comprises over three kilometres of sand stretching from Long Reef in the south to the Narrabeen Lagoon entrance in the north. Four volunteer surf lifesaving clubs patrol the beach to protect swimmers and surfers.
Surf enthusiasts continue to flock to Australia's favourite harbour city. Many beaches are but a short distance from some of the best Sydney hotels, and the easy accessibility to the excellent surfing conditions proves irresistible to those looking for an Aussie Adventure.
