Duke & Australia
Duke was a member of the American swimming team, making his Olympic debut at the 1912 Stockholm Games. Although he excelled in the qualifying heats, it is thought that the American team received incorrect information regarding the finals time, leading to Duke's absence and subsequent disqualification.
Cecil Healy, the Australian swimming champion, was favored to win the gold alongside Duke. With Duke not competing, Cecil appeared poised to take the gold medal. In a remarkable act of sportsmanship, Cecil advocated for the Australian team to file a protest, requesting that officials reschedule Duke's race.
When the officials rejected the appeal, Cecil, having travelled a long way to compete against the best, declared that he would not race unless Duke was allowed to participate. Confronted with a championship event lacking its top athletes, the officials had no choice but to support Cecil and the Australian team's protest, ultimately rescheduling Duke's race.
Duke went on to defeat Cecil and claim the gold medal. After the race, Duke raised Cecil's arm in a gesture of respect for his outstanding sportsmanship, forging a friendship between the two.
Cecil Healy, the Australian swimming champion, was favored to win the gold alongside Duke. With Duke not competing, Cecil appeared poised to take the gold medal. In a remarkable act of sportsmanship, Cecil advocated for the Australian team to file a protest, requesting that officials reschedule Duke's race.
When the officials rejected the appeal, Cecil, having travelled a long way to compete against the best, declared that he would not race unless Duke was allowed to participate. Confronted with a championship event lacking its top athletes, the officials had no choice but to support Cecil and the Australian team's protest, ultimately rescheduling Duke's race.
Duke went on to defeat Cecil and claim the gold medal. After the race, Duke raised Cecil's arm in a gesture of respect for his outstanding sportsmanship, forging a friendship between the two.
In 1914, Duke was invited to Australia to conduct swimming demonstrations along the east coast. While Duke's visit primarily featured swimming demonstrations, it was his spontaneous surfing that captivated Australia.
Duke was not the first surfer in Australia. In 1912, Tommy Walker was photographed executing a headstand on a surfboard at Yamba Beach. Tommy and his brothers had been ‘surf shooting’ prior Duke's arrival. While there were some surfboards in Australia, Duke decided to craft his own board, and sourced a piece of sugar pine timber from a local mill.
Duke surfed at Freshwater, Dee Why, and Cronulla beaches. His surfing demonstrations, including a tandem ride with Isabel Letham, significantly contributed to igniting the popularity of surfing in Australia and forever etched Duke into the heart of Freshwater.
Duke was not the first surfer in Australia. In 1912, Tommy Walker was photographed executing a headstand on a surfboard at Yamba Beach. Tommy and his brothers had been ‘surf shooting’ prior Duke's arrival. While there were some surfboards in Australia, Duke decided to craft his own board, and sourced a piece of sugar pine timber from a local mill.
Duke surfed at Freshwater, Dee Why, and Cronulla beaches. His surfing demonstrations, including a tandem ride with Isabel Letham, significantly contributed to igniting the popularity of surfing in Australia and forever etched Duke into the heart of Freshwater.
In 1956, Duke and his wife Nadine, were invited to Australia to be official guests for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. During this trip Duke returned to Freshwater reuniting with Isabel Letham.
Photo sourced from https://www.surfresearch.com.au