“To make King Neptune jealous!” Blimp tows surfboard rider, 1931

From the British Pathé website - “USA: Pulled along from above, daring 'Surfer' gives thrilling display of balance. Playing 'tag' with the waves. Enough to make King Neptune jealous!” 

Says the web detective Ian Lording, “A different take on tow surfing from 1931.”

 BE AMAZED, WATCH IT HERE

DESCRIPTION FROM THE ARCHIVE: San Francisco, California: Shot of rider, talks to pilot of blimp, back shot of blimp tows rider through water, rider talks through tube to blimp, air view from blimp of man in water, slight tilt down from name on blimp to man in bg. & CU. of rider standing on his head while towed. General view man o board approaches ship in harbor, close view & air view from blimp of man going around ship & general view, falls off board into water.

Sound Effects: Rider gives orders to pilot, loud motor noise of blimp in air & yelling of rider.

Sport: United States of America; Aviation; surfing