Australia is ready to celebrate to the 100th Anniversary of Duke Kahanamoku's visit to Freshwater Beach, Sydney, between January 8th-10th, 2015.
The Duke's Day Celebration promises to ignite Australia's surf culture and the spirit of aloha. Duane DeSoto has been invited to play Duke Kahanamoku at the re-enactment of the legendary surfing exhibition which the Hawaiian undertook at Freshwater Beach, on the 10th January, 1915.
A custom made replica of the 8'6''surfboard Duke used in Sydney was already tested by DeSoto, in Waikiki. He was impressed with the 40-kilogram (90 pounds) timber plank he rode.
"I am not even close to the Duke. It's not that I would feel I would be replacing or close to replicating what Duke did, but just trying to come close and humbly put on a good show that would make him proud," explained DeSoto.
"I'm extremely psyched and excited and I also think it's wonderful that Hawaii and Australia have a great bond through surfing, and we will be coming together to share this great occasion."
The organization is now searching for a young female surfer to play the part of Isabel Letham, during the re-enactment. She who was plucked from the crowd back in 1915 by Duke, to give the 2000 spectators a display of tandem riding.
The Duke's Day Celebration invites all to participate in surfboard exhibitions, non-competitive events, ocean and sustainable workshops, art and photography shows, presentations, history, swap and collectable memorabilia market and surfboard shaping classes.