So far there is no direct evidence that members of the ancient lost civilization discussed on these pages (see here and here for example) were surfers.
However, it is somewhat suspicious that many of the areas where they were obviously active, including Peru, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and Rapa Nui (Easter Island) have excellent waves and are modern surf destinations. This could be a fruitful direction to explore for future research.
There are other connections between surfing and the study of the evidence for a global worldwide flood within human memory.
For one thing, surfing itself takes place at the boundary of the world's mighty oceans, which by their very presence should remind us to be grateful that mankind survived the worldwide flood that extensive evidence shows once covered the earth. In the first book of the Hebrew Scriptures we find the promise given to Noah: "And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth" (Genesis 9:11). In the Proverbs we also find that the limit of the waters is set by divine decree: "When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment" (Proverbs 8:29a). Standing on the shore observing the waves before a session can be a moment to reflect on the fact that the mighty waters are restrained to their place.
Also, surfers often rise early in the morning to take advantage of better wind conditions, which have an important impact on the waves. As the sun heats the land during the day, the lower air pressure over the land can result in onshore winds that are not desireable, while the early morning hours tend to have less wind or even offshore winds as the air flows from the relatively cooler land towards the realtively warmer ocean. This tendency to surf early in the morning provides the opportunity to observe the constellations before dawn, the heliacal rising of constellations, and the sunrise itself. The concept of heliacal rising is important for understanding the clues left by ancient mankind in myths and legends.
Finally, waves and tides are manifestations of the earth's energy and the influence of the earth's turning and the motion of the moon. Surfing is a way to participate in and interact with that energy.
Because such interaction is somewhat challenging, having the right surfboard for the waves at hand can be very important, and for this every surfer should talk to a human shaper who can actually shape the board to the surfer and the types of waves and surfing that he wants. While the author of this blog only surfs in secret, undisclosed locations, he unreservedly recommends the surfboard crafting skills of California shaper Paul Finley of Sojourner Surfboards for this important task.
Above is a photo of the author of the Mathisen Corollary after a surf session at a secret undisclosed location. While this particular board is one he shaped himself, it has a glassing job by Sojourner which has held up to years of abusive treatment by the author in the water. Not only that, but Sojourner glass seems to possess a special property which causes even choppy water conditions to become perfectly smooth, glassy and rideable (but only in the immediate vicinity of the board with the glassing in question).
Further, Sojourner has an awesome blog with images and videos of the sophisticated and forward-looking boards that Paul designs (and the classic boards he makes as well).
While Sojourner is located in Morro Bay, California, it is quite likely that Paul would be happy to craft a personal board for you even if you live in Rapa Nui.
You owe it to yourself to check out a Sojourner surfboard.
However, it is somewhat suspicious that many of the areas where they were obviously active, including Peru, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and Rapa Nui (Easter Island) have excellent waves and are modern surf destinations. This could be a fruitful direction to explore for future research.
There are other connections between surfing and the study of the evidence for a global worldwide flood within human memory.
For one thing, surfing itself takes place at the boundary of the world's mighty oceans, which by their very presence should remind us to be grateful that mankind survived the worldwide flood that extensive evidence shows once covered the earth. In the first book of the Hebrew Scriptures we find the promise given to Noah: "And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth" (Genesis 9:11). In the Proverbs we also find that the limit of the waters is set by divine decree: "When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment" (Proverbs 8:29a). Standing on the shore observing the waves before a session can be a moment to reflect on the fact that the mighty waters are restrained to their place.
Also, surfers often rise early in the morning to take advantage of better wind conditions, which have an important impact on the waves. As the sun heats the land during the day, the lower air pressure over the land can result in onshore winds that are not desireable, while the early morning hours tend to have less wind or even offshore winds as the air flows from the relatively cooler land towards the realtively warmer ocean. This tendency to surf early in the morning provides the opportunity to observe the constellations before dawn, the heliacal rising of constellations, and the sunrise itself. The concept of heliacal rising is important for understanding the clues left by ancient mankind in myths and legends.
Finally, waves and tides are manifestations of the earth's energy and the influence of the earth's turning and the motion of the moon. Surfing is a way to participate in and interact with that energy.
Because such interaction is somewhat challenging, having the right surfboard for the waves at hand can be very important, and for this every surfer should talk to a human shaper who can actually shape the board to the surfer and the types of waves and surfing that he wants. While the author of this blog only surfs in secret, undisclosed locations, he unreservedly recommends the surfboard crafting skills of California shaper Paul Finley of Sojourner Surfboards for this important task.
Above is a photo of the author of the Mathisen Corollary after a surf session at a secret undisclosed location. While this particular board is one he shaped himself, it has a glassing job by Sojourner which has held up to years of abusive treatment by the author in the water. Not only that, but Sojourner glass seems to possess a special property which causes even choppy water conditions to become perfectly smooth, glassy and rideable (but only in the immediate vicinity of the board with the glassing in question).
Further, Sojourner has an awesome blog with images and videos of the sophisticated and forward-looking boards that Paul designs (and the classic boards he makes as well).
While Sojourner is located in Morro Bay, California, it is quite likely that Paul would be happy to craft a personal board for you even if you live in Rapa Nui.
You owe it to yourself to check out a Sojourner surfboard.