Waterman
American Masters – PBS
WATERMAN: Duke Kahanamoku, Ambassador of Aloha
Executive Producer
Trailer:
NOMINATED FOR AN EMMY FOR OUTSTANDING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY.
Surfing pioneer. Olympic superstar. Hawaiian icon. American hero. Five-time Olympic medalist Duke Kahanamoku shattered records and brought surfing to the world while overcoming a lifetime of personal challenges. Narrated by Jason Momoa, Waterman explores Duke’s journey as a legendary swimmer, lifesaving specialist, and the undisputed father of modern-day surfing. Unlike other Olympic champions who went on to further glory, though, Duke’s dream of playing Tarzan in the movies never materialized – likely because of racial prejudice – with the role going to a rival swimmer, Johnny Weissmuller. Nevertheless, as a dark-skinned Pacific Islander, Duke broke through racial barriers with superhuman accomplishments before Joe Lewis, Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson – and is only now getting his due as a true American legend.