Prince Harry showcased a surprising adventurous side on Thursday when he was filmed riding a big wave. The 40-year-old Duke of Sussex, fresh from his African trip with Meghan Markle, was seen testing his surfing skills at the Surf Ranch wave pool in Lemoore, California.
A video featuring Harry in a wetsuit surfaced on the Instagram account of surfing coach Raimana van Bastolaer.
Raimana, who shared the footage, captioned it: “In Tahiti, we still call you Prince Harry, but at Surfranch, it’s my brother. It was an honour to have you surf with me & @kellyslater @michaelanders_ at @kswaveco @toddglaser @austinsurfclubtx @firewiresurfboards @outerknown.”
The video shows Raimana guiding Harry through the session, which left fans impressed. Some shared messages like, “The king @raimanaworld and Prince Harry,” and “Super to see Prince Harry having fun! Love it! Legend @raimanaworld.”
Surprisingly, Harry isn’t the only royal with a passion for surfing. Prince William was photographed in a wetsuit surfing in St Andrew’s, Scotland, in 2004.
Meanwhile, King Charles was an avid windsurfer in his youth, making waves at Bondi Beach in 1977. In 1978, he invited the British surfing team to Buckingham Palace before their trip to South Africa for the World Amateur Championships.
The royal family’s connection to surfing goes even further. Prince Edward, the late Prince of Wales, learned to surf in 1920 from Olympic gold medalist Duke Kahanamoku.
Queen Elizabeth, as Princess Elizabeth, and her sister Princess Margaret tried surfing in 1947 during a royal visit to South Africa.
With such a strong royal surfing legacy, Harry’s skills on the waves are clearly part of a longstanding tradition.
