Duke Kahanamoku

Duke Kahanamoku was dedicated because he gave all of his time to surf and swim, which at the time opened up a lot more opportunities than staying in school. Throughout Duke Kahanamoku's life he surfed some of the biggest waves and competed with the best Olympic swimmers in that era. "Kahanamoku, who had won countless surfing trophies and five Olympic medals in swimming (three gold, two silver, one bronze) between 1912 and 1922, received international acclaim for his heroics at the Corona del Mar tragedy, and was given the nicknames "The Great American Hero" and "The Great Human Fish" (L.A. Times). Because of his dedication to surfing and swimming he would later use his skills to help save 12 people from a sinking ship. Duke Kahanamoku and friends were role models to everyone at the time because they did what no one else would do, even if it involved risking their lives. Kahanamoku's dedication to water never died out because that was the only thing he had growing up. "In 1932, Duke tried one last time to make the Olympic team, and he's 41 years old. He didn't make it, but I think it's telling that he still wanted to try, and that competitiveness was still in him" (SURFER Magazine). Even at the age of 41, Duke Kahanamoku still wanted to swim against the best in the sport because he loved to compete. Back then people at the age of 40 didn't try to do competitive action sports, but nowadays there are people of all ages doing different things. Duke's father and uncle set him up to be a waterman because that's what their ancestors did and now he is seen as an inspiration to most people with that lifestyle.

Duke Kahanamoku was also a selfless person because if someone needed help he would take his time to help whoever was in need. Duke would have some very important lessons he would learn throughout his life, but he had the chance to give back to the community by helping some that were in danger. "Neither I or my pals were thinking heroics ... we were simply running ... me with my board and the others to get their boards ... and hoping to save lives. I hit the water very hard and with all the forward thrust I could generate I paddled until my arms begged for mercy" (L.A. Times). In the Thelma tragedy, Duke Kahanamoku and friends would risk their lives to save passengers from a capsized boat. This incident is interesting because Duke his friends weren't planning on saving people that day,  they were just at the right place at the right time. Duke was also a very polite person in some peoples eyes because he would care more for others than himself. "Duke was a man of humility, but he was also a competitor; I don't think they're mutually exclusive. You can be a fiery competitor, but once you're outside the arena, you can be genial and welcoming and so forth" (SURFER Magazine). This statement says that Duke Kahanamoku was humble and competitive while caring for others at the same time. In an article it said that he was viewed as friendly and humility-"the embodiment of the spirit of Aloha". In most of the articles there is evidence that shows him to be a selfless person.

Duke is an inspiration. He did what he wanted to do. He was able to help Hawaii become a state. He would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. In his life, surfing and swimming was the most important thing to him, but he also cared for others. "Kahanamoku's performance was the most superhuman rescue act and the finest display of surfboard riding that has ever been seen in the world" (L.A. Times). Duke kahanamoku is an inspiration because he was the best surfer of his time, and he could swim through the dangerous surf with ease. It also helped that he had size thirteen feet that would act as a propeller, later being named the "Kahanamoku Kick". It can be argued that skateboarding and snowboarding are inspired by Duke Kahanamoku's surfing said Surfer Magazine. "I didn't realize just how massive a figure he was and is to the American sports culture, and I mean that in a number of ways. We know that he was father of surfing, the Johnny Appleseed of surfing. But you also have to extrapolate one step further. Skateboarding comes directly from surfing. Snowboarding comes directly from surfing and skateboarding. When you connect the dots, you could argue that Duke was the godfather of actions sports" (SURFER Magazine). Another reason why he is an inspiration is that most of the boardsports we do today can be linked back to him. If you put that thought in your head he is responsible for two of the major industries in our generation. Duke Kahanamoku statues can be seen on some of the beaches in California and on the island of Honolulu Hawaii.