George Freeth Memorial, (sculpture).

George Freeth Memorial, (sculpture).

O'Donnell, Terrance, sculptor.

Brymer, Janice Richardson, designer.

George Freeth Memorial, (sculpture).

First Surfer in the United States, (sculpture).

Installed 1977.

Digital Reference:

Bust: bronze; Pedestal: concrete.

Bust: approx. 2 ft. x 1 ft. x 7 in.; Pedestal: approx. 4 x 2 x 1.5 ft.

(On plaque inset on front of base, raised lettering:) GEORGE FREETH/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 FREETHS/SURFING AND SWIMMING ABILITIES AND INDUCED/GEORGE TO COME TO REDONDO BEACH IN 1907 TO/HELP PROMOTE THE BUILDING OF "THE LARGEST/WARM SALTWATER PLUNGE IN THE WORLD."/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 SURFBOARD/FAR OUT IN THE SURF. HE WOULD WAIT FOR A/SUITABLE WAVE, CATCH IT, AND TO THE AMAZEMENT/OF ALL, RIDE ONTO THE BEACH WHILE STANDING/UPRIGHT.

GEORGE FREETH INTRODUCED THE GAME OF WATER/POLO TO THIS COAST. HE TRAINED MANY CHAMPION/SWIMMERS AND DIVERS. GEORGE WAS THE FIRST/"OFFICIAL LIFE GUARD" ON THE PACIFIC COAST. HE/INVENTED THE TORPEDO SHAPED RESCUE BUOY THAT/IS NOW USED WORLD WIDE. 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 YEARS AS THE RESULT OF EXHAUSTION/FROM STRENUOUS RESCUE WORK.

(On plaque on rear of base:) PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION AND FOLLOWING DONORS MADE THIS MEMORIAL POSSIBLE/(List of names follows) unsigned

A bust of George Freeth wearing a tank shirt. The bust tapers in at the base and is hollow in the rear. It is mounted atop a rectangular pedestal with tapered top.

Portrait male -- Freeth, George -- Bust

Occupation -- Sport -- Surfing

Occupation -- Sport -- Water Polo

Occupation -- Sport -- Swimming

Occupation -- Science -- Inventor

Occupation -- Sport -- Lifeguard

Ethnic -- Hawaiian

Ethnic -- Irish

Outdoor Sculpture -- California -- Hermosa Beach

Administered by City of Hermosa Beach, Community Resources, Hermosa Beach, California

Located Hermosa Beach Municipal Pier, 12th Street at entrance to pier, Hermosa Beach, California

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.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, California survey, 1994.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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