|
Surf's Up Exhibition |
|
|
 |
| This
picture was taken in 1959 of the first surf club in the British
Isles, St Ouens in Jersey |
|
|
Surfing
has come a long way since it first reached these shores in the early
1900s. The first ever large scale exhibition about surfing in the
UK is being held in Exeter before heading off on a national tour taking
in North Devon next year. |
|
|
|
|
Surfin'
USA has become Surfin' UK, with the sport now one of the fastest growing
leisure activities in the country.
It's cool and fashionable to surf, and the South West has reaped the
benefits to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds.
North Devon, in particular, has become one of Britain's surfing hot
spots.
To mark the increasing popularity of the sport, the first ever large
scale exhibition celebrating surfing in the UK is going on tour in
2005.
It starts at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Exeter
(26th March - 25th June), and also visits Falmouth and Bristol before
heading back to Devon next year - it will be at the Museum of Barnstaple
and North Devon (15th May - 3rd July 2006).
The
exhibition will tell the story of surfing in the UK, from its humble
body board beginnings in the early 1900s, through to the lucrative
industry that it is today.
 |
| Britain's
first surfing icon, Rod Sumpter, pictured at Newquay in 1966 |
It celebrates
all aspects of surfing and looks at the personalities who pioneered
the sport on this side of the Atlantic.
The exhibition also looks at technological developments in surfboards,
and how the industry helps the local economy.
Environmental issues are also highlighted, as well as the British
weather, which isn't the most conducive to water sports!
The story of Surfin' UK is told with surf boards, wetsuits, photographs,
video footage and old magazines.
Possibly the most eye-catching exhibit is the first surfboard in Europe
- a 13ft wooden, hollow board built by Tom Blake.
It was sent to the UK from Hawaii as a gift to pioneer surfer Jimmy
Dix in the 1930s. Little did they know then that this would mark the
beginning of stand-up surfing in Britain.
Other exhibits include a photo of Britain's first surfing icon, Rod
Sumpter, pictured at Newquay in 1966 carrying his "calling card
" - his Union Jack surfboard.
The exhibition is receiving backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund,
and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council through its Renaissance
programme.
Admission to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Exeter
is free, and opening times are 9am - 5pm Monday to Saturday.
Article published: 2nd February 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Music |
 |
| Previews,
reviews and interviews from Devon's music scene. |
| E-cards |
 |
| Send
an e-postcard of glorious Devon to a friend. |
BBC Devon
Broadcasting House
Seymour Road
Plymouth
PL3 5BD
(+44) 01752 229201
devon.online@bbc.co.uk
|
|
