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    • About
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  • Duke Paoa Kahanamoku
    • Duke & Australia
    • Duke's Freshwater Statue
    • The Freshwater Board
  • Gallery
    • Year 1: 15 January 2011
    • Year 2: 14 January 2012
    • Year 3: 13 January 2013
    • Year 4: 11 January 2014
    • Year 5: 9-10 January 2015
    • 2024: 11-13 January
    • 2025: 9-12 January
  • Contact
Duke's Day
  • Home
    • About
    • History
  • 2026 Events
    • Beach Market
  • Sponsors
  • Duke Paoa Kahanamoku
    • Duke & Australia
    • Duke's Freshwater Statue
    • The Freshwater Board
  • Gallery
    • Year 1: 15 January 2011
    • Year 2: 14 January 2012
    • Year 3: 13 January 2013
    • Year 4: 11 January 2014
    • Year 5: 9-10 January 2015
    • 2024: 11-13 January
    • 2025: 9-12 January
  • Contact
08-10 January 2026
Freshwater Beach, Australia
 SURFING : CULTURE : ENVIRONMENT 
Celebrating Duke Kahanamoku, Freshwater Beach, Australia.

​The surfing culture he inspired, reflecting on the past while nurturing the future of surfing.
Embracing the connection & cultural exchange between between Hawaii & Australia.
Sharing in Duke's passion & protection of the ocean by connecting land & sea. 


Duke Kahanamoku was an Olympic swimming gold medalist, Hawaiian icon, Ambassador of Aloha, Waterman,
and the father of modern surfing. In the summer of
1914-1915 Duke gave historic surfing exhibitions on Sydney beaches including Freshwater, Dee Why and Cronulla beaches. While not the first surfer in Australia, Dukes demonstrations ignited the nations imagination and set the course of surfing's popularity in motion. Freshwater Beach was at the heart of Duke's tour, and still holds a special connection to his enduring legacy.
Duke... etched into the heart of Freshwater. 


Founded in 2010, Duke’s Day is an annual community event held at Freshwater Beach, celebrating Duke's legacy, the surfing culture he inspired, shares his love of the ocean environment, and celebrates the cultural connection between Hawaii & Australia. ​

 In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Gayamaygal as the traditional custodians of the land where Duke's Day is held & celebrated. ​We honour their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to ​all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
© Duke’s Day
  • Home
    • About
    • History
  • 2026 Events
    • Beach Market
  • Sponsors
  • Duke Paoa Kahanamoku
    • Duke & Australia
    • Duke's Freshwater Statue
    • The Freshwater Board
  • Gallery
    • Year 1: 15 January 2011
    • Year 2: 14 January 2012
    • Year 3: 13 January 2013
    • Year 4: 11 January 2014
    • Year 5: 9-10 January 2015
    • 2024: 11-13 January
    • 2025: 9-12 January
  • Contact