Story of USSR's First Surfer

Nikolai Petrovich Popov, the first known Russian surfer, defied the restrictions of the Soviet Union in the 1960s to pursue his passion for surfing. Inspired by a book by Jack London, he learned about surfing from American magazines and crafted his own surfboard with a friend. Despite the challenges of limited resources and information in the USSR, Popov managed to catch waves in Crimea in 1966. He later traveled to California in 1970, where he surfed on the West Coast and wrote the first Soviet article about surfing in 1975. Popov's dedication to surfing led him to explore new breaks in Russia, even obtaining permission from authorities to visit a protected area for surfing. Although he eventually stopped surfing due to life and work commitments, Popov's story remains inspirational, showcasing his determination to pursue his passion for surfing despite the obstacles he faced in a country where surfing was virtually unknown.