Definition of the term "surfing"

As surfing has so many facets it is very difficult to find a fitting definition for the phenomenon.

What is surfing? Is it a just a sport like any other, is it a lifestyle, a trend sport, an extreme sport or a subculture?

In all probability surfing can be related to all these descriptions, depending on which type of surfer you ask or where this surfer lives. This brings us to the next question:

What does the prototypical surfer look like? The stereotype of the long haired, tanned beach boy is outdated; nowadays one can find surfers in almost every age-group and social class. “The subculture of surfers does not have clear social and demographic boundaries.” (Pressler 2007, 85) However, it has to be noted that there are differences between typical surf nations and landlocked countries. To find a clearer definition, another especially appropriate question arises:

What do all those people have in common? Although characteristics like language and clothing are of relevance, it is still the activity that ties the subculture together. On this note the I.S.A. defines surfing as follows:

“Any sport in which the primary force that moves the participant’s surfing equipment is a wave either of natural or artificial source. An activity on the waves on any type of equipment used for surfing. An activity in calm waters on any type of equipment used for surfing.” (www.isasurf.org)

This definition includes surfing with surfboards as well as surfing with body boards, kayaks, air mattresses etc. even paddling on lakes and rivers, according to the definition above, can be considered as surfing.

Surf boom

During the last decade surfing has turned into a worldwide phenomenon. This can clearly be seen by the presence of surfing in the media, the film industry, the development of a surf industry and the quickly rising number of surfers, surf camps and surf schools. The ISA (International Surfing Association) is now accepted by the Olympic committee, there is the possibility to study surfing at universities, and surfers compete in the X-games in California.

Even in Austria there is a noteworthy boom: the number of Austrian surf camps as well as the number of individual travelers is on the rise year after year, dressing in the surfer style has become common practice, there are surf parties and surfing videos practically everywhere. The media is interested in surfing, diploma theses have been written, standing waves on rivers are surfed, and new waves are built.

History of surfing

Surfing has its origins in Polynesia The first written records about surfing date back to 1777.

For Hawaiians surfing was not only a leisure activity but also an important part of their rites and sacrificial ceremonies.