What is isabel letham?

Isabel Letham (1899-1979) was an Australian swimmer and surfer, who was known for being the first woman to successfully ride a surfboard in Australia in 1915. She was born in North Sydney, New South Wales and began swimming competitively at the age of nine. Letham was introduced to surfing by Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic gold medal swimmer and surfing legend from Hawaii. She became his protege and learned to surf on a board he had brought with him to Australia.

In addition to her surfing prowess, Letham was also an accomplished swimmer. She won multiple national championships in freestyle and breaststroke events and competed in the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. After her competitive swimming career ended, she continued to work as a swimming instructor and lifeguard.

Letham's contribution to surfing in Australia was significant, as she helped to popularize the sport among women and made it more socially acceptable. She also worked to promote surfing as a healthy and fun outdoor activity, which helped to increase its popularity and paved the way for future generations of surfers in Australia and around the world. Letham was inducted into the Surfing Walk of Fame in Huntington Beach, California in 2009.