Wave riders celebrate the International Surfing Day (ISD) on the 3rd Saturday of June. Time for surfers to be proud of their sport, and help to keep our oceans and environment pure and protected. It will be on June 19th in 2021.

International Surfing Day, held annually on the third Saturday of June, is an unofficial, environmentally conscious sports-centered holiday that celebrates the sport of surfing, surfing lifestyle, and the sustainability of ocean resources.

“For me, surfing is as close a connection I can have with Mother Nature. To surf, you’re riding a pulse of energy from Mother Nature. And it’s strong. It’s real. It’s there. And you’re dancing with that. You’re connecting with that. You’re might be the only person in the history of the universe that connects with that particular pulse of energy.” — Xavier Rudd

Surfers are known for their unique slang, such as, for instance, “a young grommet out there getting a floater along the crest and almost getting caught inside.” These traditional beach bums have a love for the ocean and the sport itself, putting themselves in a highly dangerous situation to get that perfect wave. This closeness to the sea has inspired many and Surf Day is just one of the many holidays that promotes this connection to the waves and the protection of the sea itself.

Surf Day officially began in 2005 by Surfing Magazine, a magazine publication that ran from 1964 until 2017, and The Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping oceans clean and encouraging people to surf the waves.

It’s a holiday that encourages people to be aware of the environmental impact of their activities in the sea and promote the protection of the ocean by building a passion for surfing. This holiday initially became an idea through a group surf forum, Usenet newsgroup, back in 1993, and while the intent was there, the resources to made the idea happen just weren’t there.

On this day, people go out and surf. They also host contests, barbeques, film screenings, and other activities that let people have fun while also educating people. Surfers who are passionate about their sport also give back by volunteering for beach cleanups, habitat restorations, and maintaining recreational areas to keep the environment healthy and people happy. Organizations such as the Surfrider Foundation ask for donations and create fundraisers to their cause and also host contests for unique prizes such as new surfboards and skateboards.

Here are 7 fascinating surfing facts:

• There are an estimated 25 million surfers worldwide.
• Surfing is one of the oldest sports on Earth. Archaeologists recently discovered prehistoric stone carvings in Chan Chan, Peru that dates back over 5,000 years ago and shows people surfing.
• The world record for the longest ride is 3 hours 55 minutes by surfer Gary Saavedra in 2011 when he rode the wake of a speed boat.
• WWII pushed surfing to the next level… kind of. Due to the war, new chemicals were made; Styrofoam, resin, and fiberglass would later be used to make the boards we are accustomed to today.
• The first major surf contest was held all the way back in 1928 in California.
• The biggest wave ever recorded was 1738ft! Yes, you read that right, it was classed as a mega-tsunami and happened in Lituya Bay, Alaska in 1958.
• The single longest ride ever was a tidal bore wave in the Amazon River which was a leg-burning 37 minutes, similar to the one below right here in the UK on the River Severn.