the duke kahanamoku commemorative park was opened in 1994 by nadine kahanamoku (the duke's wife) on 26 January. in december 1914, the duke was touring australia selecting timber to fashion a hawaiian modelled board, and during a demonstration to the press, introduced surf board riding at freshwater beach on thursday december 24th. in a second occasion, the duke topped the demonstration a year later by taking the local girl isabel letham with him on the board. she later went on to become a pioneer in australian surfing. the original board is still kept on display in the freshwater surf club. more about the board

'walking along the headland at harbord point, at the northern end of freshwater beach, you'll come across a sandstone and mosaic walkway. dotted along this walkway are a number of circular plaques emblazoned with the names of numerous surfing legends. at the end of this walkway lies a small clearing where a larger mosaic is set into the rock. this mosaic depicts the continents of the earth and upon each of the continents smaller, bronze plaques describe the achievements of one surfer. looking up you'll see a larger than life bronze statue, looming above you on a wave of solid rock.' (quote.)