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Book Cover
E-book
Author Moser, Patrick (Patrick J.), 1963- author.

Title Surf and rescue : George Freeth and the birth of California beach culture / Patrick Moser
Published Urbana : University of Illinois Press, [2022]

Copies

Description 1 online resource (xiii, 216 pages) : illustrations, maps
Series Sport and society
Sport and society.
Summary "The mixed-race Hawaiian athlete George Freeth brought surfing to Venice, California, in 1907. Over the next twelve years, Freeth taught Southern Californians to surf and swim while creating a modern lifeguard service that transformed the beach into a destination for fun, leisure, and excitement. Patrick Moser places Freeth's inspiring life story against the rise of the Southern California beach culture he helped shape and define. Freeth made headlines with his rescue of seven fishermen, an act of heroism that highlighted his innovative lifeguarding techniques. But he also founded California's first surf club and coached both male and female athletes, including Olympic swimming champion and "father of modern surfing" Duke Kahanamoku. Often in financial straits, Freeth persevered as a teacher and lifeguarding pioneer--building a legacy that endured long after his death during the 1919 influenza pandemic. A compelling merger of biography and sports history, Surf and Rescue brings to light the forgotten figure whose novel way of seeing the beach sparked the imaginations of people around the world"-- Provided by publisher
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on April 29, 2022)
Subject Freeth, George, Jr., 1883-1919.
SUBJECT Freeth, George, Jr., 1883-1919
Subject Surfers -- Hawaii -- Biography
Swimming -- Coaching.
Lifeguards -- California -- History
Lifesaving -- California -- History
Beaches -- California.
SPORTS & RECREATION / Water Sports / Surfing.
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Sports.
SPORTS & RECREATION / General
Manners and customs
Beaches
Lifeguards
Lifesaving
Surfers
Swimming -- Coaching
Sports & active outdoor recreation.
Sport.
SUBJECT California -- Social life and customs. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85018893
Subject California
Hawaii
Genre/Form Biographies
History
Form Electronic book
LC no. 2021056963
ISBN 0252053443
9780252053443