The Roots of Longboarding
Longboarding is the foundation of modern surfing — the style that started it all. Before shortboards, aerials, and contests with complex scoring systems, there were graceful rides on long, heavy boards that prioritized flow and style. The roots of longboard competitions go back to when surfing first began to be recognized as a sport rather than just a lifestyle.
In the early 20th century, longboards were the norm. Made from solid wood and weighing up to 100 pounds, they were used by pioneers like Duke Kahanamoku, who helped introduce surfing to the world. Though formal competitions didn’t exist yet, Duke’s exhibitions in places like California and Australia laid the groundwork for what would eventually become organized longboard contests.
The Birth of Competitive Surfing
By the 1950s and 1960s, surfing culture exploded in popularity. Advances in board design — especially the introduction of lighter materials like balsa and fiberglass — made the sport more accessible. Alongside this boom came the first official surfing competitions.
Key Early Events
- Makaha International Surfing Championships (1954): Held in Hawaii, this was one of the first major surf contests and included longboard divisions. It helped define competitive surfing and introduced judging criteria based on style and control.
- United States Surfing Championships (1961): Hosted at Huntington Beach, California, it became a premier event for longboarders and helped popularize surf contests across the mainland.
- World Surfing Championships (1964): The first world contest, held at Manly Beach in Australia, was dominated by longboarders like Midget Farrelly and Phyllis O’Donnell, marking a milestone in competitive surfing history.
These early contests emphasized grace, positioning, and style — qualities still celebrated in longboarding today.
The Shortboard Revolution and Longboarding’s Fade
In the late 1960s, surfing underwent a massive transformation with the rise of the shortboard revolution. Shorter, lighter boards allowed for sharper turns and faster maneuvers, and competition formats evolved to reward progressive performance over traditional flow.
As a result, longboarding declined in popularity, with most major contests shifting focus to shortboards. For nearly two decades, longboard competitions became niche events, kept alive by dedicated traditionalists who valued smooth lines and timeless style.
The Longboard Revival
By the 1980s, longboarding made a major comeback. Surfers like Joel Tudor, Nat Young, and Donald Takayama championed a return to classic surfing — emphasizing soul, trim, and nose riding. This resurgence sparked the rebirth of longboard competitions around the world.
Key Moments in the Revival
- 1988: The first ASP Longboard World Championship was established, giving longboarders a global stage once again.
- 1990s: The creation of regional and invitational contests such as the Malibu Classic and Noosa Festival of Surfing showcased traditional styles alongside modern performance riding.
- 2000s–Present: Longboard events gained dedicated divisions within the World Surf League (WSL), with champions like Taylor Jensen and Honolua Blomfield keeping longboarding in the global spotlight.
Traditional vs. Modern Longboarding
Today, longboard competitions often feature two distinct styles:
- Traditional (Log Style): Inspired by the 1960s — single fins, noserides, and flowing style.
- High-Performance: Focused on modern maneuvers, progressive turns, and dynamic footwork.
Both approaches celebrate different aspects of longboarding’s evolution, and most events now include divisions for each.
Legendary Longboard Events Around the World
- Noosa Festival of Surfing (Australia): One of the largest and most iconic longboard festivals, blending competition with community.
- Duct Tape Invitational (Global): Created by Joel Tudor, this event focuses on creativity and traditional style, emphasizing camaraderie over competition.
- Malibu Classic (California): Held at one of the sport’s most famous breaks, it remains a proving ground for longboard purists.
- Hainan Riyue Bay Classic (China): A newer addition to the WSL Longboard Tour, bringing traditional longboarding to a global audience.
The Spirit of Longboarding Competitions
Unlike the high-intensity atmosphere of shortboard events, longboard contests maintain a focus on artistry and flow. Riders are judged on style, positioning, and smooth transitions rather than aerial tricks or aggressive turns. It’s less about domination and more about harmony with the wave.
Final Thoughts
The history of longboard competitions mirrors the story of surfing itself — evolving from simplicity to performance and then back to a reverence for flow and elegance. Today’s longboard contests celebrate not just who can ride the longest wave, but who can do it with the most style. In the end, that’s what longboarding has always been about — grace, soul, and a deep connection to the ocean’s rhythm.