SURFING GOES STRATOSPHERIC! SurfGirl Magazine
SURFING GOES STRATOSPHERIC!
SURFGIRL MAGAZINE
Surfing is bigger than ever, and with millions more surfers in the water, many breaks are busier than ever, despite the global pandemic. How can we effectively manage its exponential growth?
Words: Sophie Everard
The summer of 2020 imploded into a riotous, foamie-fuelled bonanza of surf, with many breaks reporting countless more surfers in the water. As “stay at home” and global travel bans were enforced, surfing, once considered a counterculture sport, became the most popular kid in the room. Globally surfers are recounting that they’ve never seen their home breaks busier, and the uptake of surfing and acquisition of surfing equipment reached dizzying new heights.
As we see surfing’s popularity soar, something which is for sure, a positive development, owing to the fantastic benefits for our mental and physical health, also comes questions as to how we can safely manage its booming growth. None of us really want to get into disagreements at busy peaks, have our waves fluffed by repeated drop-ins, or worse, leave a session with a fin in our head. Fortunately, there are solutions.
First up, the re-emphasis of the importance of education and understanding. Acquainting ourselves with safety, etiquette, rips and layouts of breaks is critical. Izzy Theyani, a stalwart of the surf industry who co-founded Surf Diva Surf School in 1996 suggests “beginners should take lessons to learn the proper rules of the line-up. More advanced surfers who know the rules need to set an example and not drop in on each other. I hope that through the media and surf schools we can impart knowledge and respect for the surfing rules, which benefit everyone in terms of safety and overall stoke.”
When I was learning to surf, I relished sitting under the wing of older, more experienced surfers, whom I learnt from so much in the water. It was also a case of respect and keeping those around me safe. We can all fluff up sometimes and putting our hands up to admit it and apologise often smoothes over a situation quickly. Izzy explains that, “etiquette is still mandatory in the line-up to maintain safety and fairness. It seems that some surfers have not learned etiquette, which is a must, to avoid accidents or confrontation, just like rules of the road.”
Next up, we have the metamorphosis of surfing and where we experience it. The implosion of wave pools and their technologies is the future of surfing according to many. We now see a stop on the World Surf League held at a wavepool, and spots like Bristol’s The Wave are enabling those who don’t live at coastlines, or want to train on a consistent wave, a new outlet.
Equally the environmental and social care we show for the very breaks we surf at is critical. If we are to continue to enjoy surfing these spots, their safeguarding is vital. Organisations like Surfers Against Sewage, who shared a recent success where the government’s Storm Overflow Taskforce, set up in response to the continued pressure of petitions signed, have set out new plans to tackle sewage pollution, are leading the charge.
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Finally, as Izzy suggests, “surfing will grow in ways we can't even imagine. The crowds will eventually spread out as new ways of wave riding are created, such as more sustainable wave pools, offshore reefs, and more mind/body fitness opportunities are offered…more surfers in the water mean that more people will care for the ocean. More women surfing means that more girls are gaining confidence in themselves.” If we respond to surfing’s growth carefully, maintaining the importance of etiquette and education, embracing new wave-riding technologies and nurturing and safeguarding the natural environments, there’s no reason it can’t be a brilliant development.