Prince of waves: Devon’s Museum of British Surfing unveils UK sport’s royal roots – in pictures

Museum of British Surfing opens in north Devon, showcasing the history of UK surfing, from aristocrartic pioneers using Cornish coffin lids to the multimillion-pound market of today
  
  


Museum of British Surfing: The Prince of Wales riding a wave
His Royal Hawaiiness? King Edward VIII, then the Prince of Wales, rides a wave off Waikiki beach in Hawaii in 1920, in what is believed to be the earliest picture of a British surfer - royal or otherwise.
© Museum of British Surfing Photograph: Museum of British Surfing
Duke Kahanamoku and the future king
The future King Edward VIII (standing) and his cousin Earl Mountbatton. They received board-riding lessons from legendary Hawaiian surfer and Olympic swimmer, Duke Kahanamoku, off Waikiki beach.
© Museum of British Surfing Photograph: Museum of British Surfing
Museum of British Surfing: Inside the Museum
The Museum of British Surfing, in Braunton, north Devon, which opens on Good Friday.
Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian Photograph: Jim Wileman/Guardian
Museum of British Surfing: A Chapter surfboard
A duck template on the base of a Chapter Surfboard.
Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian Photograph: Jim Wileman/Guardian
Museum of British Surfing: Surfers using coffin lids
In 1919 an undertaker from Perranporth started marketing coffin lids as surfboards. They seemed quite popular.
© Museum of British Surfing Photograph: Museum of British Surfing
Museum of British Surfing: Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson, pictured at the museum in Braunton, north Devon.
Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian Photograph: Jim Wileman/Guardian
Museum of British Surfing: Ted Deerhurst's lightning bolt surfboard
Ted Deerhurst's lightning bolt surfboard from 1978.
Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian Photograph: Jim Wileman/Guardian
Museum of British Surfing: A Circle One surfboard
A Circle One surfboard from 1972.
Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian Photograph: Jim Wileman/Guardian
Museum of British Surfing: An old skatedeck
An old skateboard deck sits next to a board.
Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian Photograph: Jim Wileman/Guardian
Museum of British Surfing: Wooden belly boards
Wooden belly boards, a popular pastime in surfing's early days.
Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian Photograph: Jim Wileman/Guardian
Museum of British Surfing: A Tiki surfboard
A Tiki surfboard from 1980.
Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian Photograph: Jim Wileman/Guardian
Museum of British Surfing: Fibreglass boards
Fibreglass boards on display at the museum in Braunton, north Devon.
Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian Photograph: Jim Wileman/Guardian
Museum of British Surfing: Surfboards on display
Surfboards on display at The Museum of British Surfing, in Braunton, north Devon.
Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian Photograph: Jim Wileman/Guardian
Museum of British Surfing: Boards in the Museum
Boards and a British Surfer magazine cover on canvas from 1969.
Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian Photograph: Jim Wileman/Guardian
 

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