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RIDING the ocean breakers on surfboards made of cloth is a novel sport that is becoming popular at a California beach resort. Looking like a giant's pillowcase, the "boards" are made from four yards of good-quality muslin, which becomes air-tight when wet.
The cloth is doubled lengthwise and sewed along both sides with a triple row of fine stitches.
Around the open end a strong hem is stitched. In use, the bag is first thoroughly soaked, and then filled with air by holding it open to the breeze or running a few paces with it.
With a quick downward motion, the open end is pushed under water to trap the air and twisted shut like a paper bag.
The rider then grasps the twisted end and takes off into the swells.

Above, ready for the waves.  (Not Shown) Running with the cloth surfboard to "balloon" it full of air before use.

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Boy's Fun Book of Things to Make and Do 216 ways to have fun, 470 how-to-do-it illustrations. Grosset & Dunlap, New York, 1945. Hathitrust http://hdl.handle.net/2027/wu.8903223805