George Freeth - Redondo Beach, CA - Statues of Historic Figures on Waymarking.com

The plaque says, "First Surfer in the United States
George Freeth was born in Honolulu November 8, 1883 of Royal Hawaiian and Irish ancestry. As a youngster he revived the lost Polynesian art of surfing while standing on a board. Henry E. Huntington was amazed at Freeth’s surfing and swimming abilities and induced George to come to Redondo Beach in 1907 to help promote the building of “The largest saltwater plunge in the world.”

George Freeth was advertised as “The Man Who Can Walk on Water.” Thousands of people came here on the big red cars to watch this astounding feat. George would mount his big 8-foot long, solid wood, 200 pound surf board and wait for a suitable wave, catch it, and to the amazement of all, ride onto Redondo Beach while standing upright.

Freeth introduced the game of water polo to the West coast. He trained many champion swimmers and divers. George was the first “official life guard” on the pacific coast and invented the torpedo shaped rescue buoy that is now used worldwide. On December 16, 1908, during a violent South Bay storm, George rescued 6 Japanese fishermen from a capsized boat. For his valor he received “The United States Life Saving Corps Gold Medal.” George Freeth died April 7, 1919 at the early age of 35, as the result of exhaustion from strenuous rescue work."

Taken from the smithsonian website, "The sculpture honors George Freeth (1883-1919), who came to Redondo Beach, California in 1907; and became a renown surfer. He introduced the game of water polo to the West Coast, was the first official life guard on the Pacific Coast and invented the torpedo shaped rescue buoy. He was awarded the United States Life Saving Corps Gold Medal after rescuing six Japanese fisherman from a storm in the South Bay. Marc A. Profasel was project originator for the memorial; Janice Richardson Brymer was layout designer; and Terrance O'Donnell, the sculptor."

(visit link)

The sculpture is about 5 feet tall and features a bust of the first surfer in the United States, George Freeth. The bust is facing south. Also on the south side of the monument, there is an informational plaque about George Freeth. The sculpture is located on the Redondo Beach Pier just down the stairs from the Police Station and the parking garage. The bust is made of bronze, while the base is concrete. George Freeth seems to be wearing a tang top, a popular thing to wear while being a lifeguard. He was also the first one on the west coast, which he is credited with as well.

URL of the statue: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log User Rating   05/26/2016 bluesnote visited it