Is surfing in Oz(and western countries) on the decline?

[2nd Reef]

I'd say yep.

Not in a strict numbers sense but in the broader cultural relevance of Australian and US surfing against the rest of the world.

The surf cultures in Australia and US have reached their zenith and are now plateaued and coasting in advanced maturity. Everything new is either contrived or rehashed, the motivations are merely monetary.

Australia and US have too much cultural and historical baggage to be seen as cutting edge, while Europe and Brazil are still writing their surf history. The big events in those regions are yet to come. They are the New World of surfing.

Surfing is still misunderstood enough in Brazil and Europe to operate outside the constrictions of big business.

If the big companies can keep their hands off and allow things to evolve organically then we'll see some drastic changes to the sport in performance, fashions and other aspects that define the sport.

I don't expect less people to be surfing in Australia, but I expect us to have less influence on the sport.

[otway1949]

I'd say yep.

Not in a strict numbers sense but in the broader cultural relevance of Australian and US surfing against the rest of the world.

The surf cultures in Australia and US have reached their zenith and are now plateaued and coasting in advanced maturity. Everything new is either contrived or rehashed, the motivations are merely monetary.

Australia and US have too much cultural and historical baggage to be seen as cutting edge, while Europe and Brazil are still writing their surf history. The big events in those regions are yet to come. They are the New World of surfing.

Surfing is still misunderstood enough in Brazil and Europe to operate outside the constrictions of big business.

If the big companies can keep their hands off and allow things to evolve organically then we'll see some drastic changes to the sport in performance, fashions and other aspects that define the sport.

I don't expect less people to be surfing in Australia, but I expect us to have less influence on the sport.

One day a European "Rabbit" will stand on top of the Burrow (no pun intended BTW I don't think he will ever win) of pros and declare "We're tops now!"
Just like what happened in Tennis :?

[mical]

Just watching Litmus again, one of my all time favorite movies.

While I disagree that numbers are declining I have to say that I think 2ndReef is pretty close to the money.

This quote, from Derek Hynd I think pretty much sums up what I think is unfortunately dying in surfing.

“I have a particular relationship with surfing, it's, it's you know, it's mine.

So, ummmm, it made me, you know, go further afield all the time, to find waves.

Because I love the feeling of that, part of surfing is the, it's the seaweed, it's the mountains and the cliffs and the bush and the whatever, it's not just the surfing, it's a lot of things.

And I'll include into that, is the sharing of that with people, and the discovery.”

How many are there that still enjoying surfing in this way? I'd say not many, but there seems to be a few on here thank god.

Perhaps it's the competitive aspects and commercialism that have choked it to death, society changing, I don't know.

[mustkillmulloway]

i stand by my comment the average age in any decent lineup has doubled ( @ least) than in the early 80's

why are all the very best surfers in the world bald

not by choice....it's called old age

and just for interest....how many u crew where taught surf by your by your mum and dad

the very idea is crazy too me....but i wonder....

[longyfreshy]

In the 70's women were not really accepted out in the surf with the males but relegated to sitting on the sand with a dry towel and some food. OK no smart ass comments from you regulars LOL!

It is great to see the older woman like myself out there giving it a go as we had been deprived, I may be shit but I love surfing and will continue until my arthritic body lets me

Got my kids onto boogie boards first then grommet foamy boards and will skip the boogie boards and go straight to the foamies for the grandkids (when they come) as they now make so many choices.

So yes there are heaps of people surfing and I know it makes for unbearable crowds but I am glad that so many can have the chance to see how great it is! After work and the stresses of life getting into the water and catching a wave and making it can be orgasmic, OK I stepped into that one but hey its Australia day!

[chrisb]

I suspect that the number of lidders may be on the increase due to the instant gratification compared to that of a shortboarder who needs weeks of practice before achieving basic competence ie. standup numbers may be dwindling but total surfer numbers (if you include lids etc) aren't.

Good to see that your'e getting yours away from the computer screens "longyfreshy".

[Nick Carroll]

I'm with reefer, though it IS my theory in the first place

think I will save up the cogent argument for print.

[Cpt.Caveman]

If the big companies can keep their hands off and allow things to evolve organically then we'll see some drastic changes to the sport in performance, fashions and other aspects that define the sport.

I don't expect less people to be surfing in Australia, but I expect us to have less influence on the sport.

Interesting point. It'll be interesting to see where developing countries take the culture and identity of surfing. Especially the out of the way places where people go for good waves (e.g. Indo and the like).

[steve shearer]

I'm with reefer, though it IS my theory in the first place

think I will save up the cogent argument for print.

Well there are two related but distinct phenomena being discussed here.

One is the decentralisation of Aussie surfing culture and power bases from the City to the Country areas.
Nothing new there....that phenom was comprehensively discussed in the mid-nineties after Hynd's "we're flops now" article was rebuffed.
History shows that the New Country Movement became the dominant force in Aussie surfing.

The second is a broader society wide decline or retreat by youth in western countries into computer driven entertainment at the expense of more traditional pursuits ( of which surfing must now be considered). A deeper malaise marked by lethargy and decadence........clearly contrasted by younger, poorer and more vital societies such as Brazil and Indonesia and the Rise of Europe.

Crowds are obviously not declining in urban areas but the majority of that are weekend warriors. After surfing mid week NN with only a handful of crew after a long wave drought I'd say the evidence is pretty overwhelming.

[Cpt.Caveman]

After surfing mid week NN with only a handful of crew after a long wave drought I'd say the evidence is pretty overwhelming.

Thats all I need to hear, my optimism is alive a well!

[el rancho]

i wish it were, specially my neck of the woods.

But i'm afraid all I see almost every session at a half-crowded spot is guy after guy carrying brand spanking new sticks.

next time your at the goldie/sunny coast, check out the craft. none look over 6months old!

what does this mean? who knows, i know for a fact that the middle class has more disposable/credit cash than ever.

i know kirra surf is freakin massive, and still sucks. as does 99% of all 'surf' shops.
i know every second blonde haired 13 year old grom is shredding balls.
i know noosa national park is 20 X more crowded than when i first started surfing it 9 years ago.

maybe there is less 'surfers', the guys making a lifestyle revolved around getting waves, but maybe more people surfing. the kind that disappear in winter.

but then again, from personal observation, sub-cultures seem less defined compared to the past.

[Surfin Turf]

i hardly see anyone under 25 at the dawn patrol.

I saw some ... but they were digging a hole ...


I think it's self balancing ... there is population growth so there will be growth in numbers of surfers in line with that ... but for the kids there are so many options (other sports and activities) these days to keep them out of the surf or reduce their surf available time ... so possibly less people per capita starting up young ... but then to balance that out there are the sea changer's and bucket list'ers etc who take up surfing later in life rather than as a kid ... so there is the likelihood of an ageing surfing population ... despite the immense talent and skills of many of the young surfers these days, in the surf there is of course the extreme growth in boogers as well ... now like it or not booger community but in the 70's and early 80's there would be one or two boogers in the water at the most compared to now where there are heaps obviously, back then no-one thought ill of boogers really, but the growth in the booger population has come about by boogering being promoted as a separate sport, making it acceptable to those who take it up ... boogering is easier to start and does not require the time and effort that surfing needs to become proficient so fits into the modern busy lifestyle ...

the fashion side of surfing being the big money spinner for the corporate’s , judging by the previous comments is probably being supported by younger boogers and the non surfing community ... however if the quickripabongs of the world were smarter they would be targeting fat old surfer dudes being both the growth segment and the ones with the bucks ...

so the other thing to consider is that with an ageing surfing population and possibly less early starters does the talent pool at professional level start to shrink or will surfing become a sport for the wealthier who can afford to live near the beach ... future world class professional surfers are normally kids who live near the beach and surf their brains out all day everyday so will the future of surfing then be guided by wealth and who can afford too ...

back in my day it was 99% regular short boards and the term short board was not even required because you just rode a surf board and it was fibreglass and had a pointed nose ... now there is everything imaginable floundering about in the surf and there ain't much anyone can do about it ... as long as I can surf early before the crowds, or sneak off somewhere I'll be happy still ... (and one day I might even manage to get to my feet ) ... so the crowds can grow or decline and the promotion of surfing by the corporate’s can become more and more ridiculous but yesterday I took my youngest daughter for two surf's and that was great, and that's what it's all about ...

[Chillin]

Dunno about a decline in numbers, but perhaps a decline in surf 'stoke'? The summer holidays ended here today and the only two in the water 6am was me and Hicksy. A grand turnout considering that for the last six weeks its been wall to wall blow ins on their yearly hols. We surfed aolone until jus after i got out at 8ish when two booger came out. The surf was clean 2ft.

[FishStick]

I moved to Sydney more than 5 years ago and I'd say I've seen an increase in crowds in that short time. I guess there may be a steady increase of types like me, who were looking for work near waves and have stayed.

I also don't see many, if any, groms out during the early, the Brazzos don't seem to like it either, both rock up in bigger groups at the evening surf.

[offshore1]

The second is a broader society wide decline or retreat by youth in western countries into computer driven entertainment at the expense of more traditional pursuits ( of which surfing must now be considered). A deeper malaise marked by lethargy and decadence........clearly contrasted by younger, poorer and more vital societies such as Brazil and Indonesia and the Rise of Europe..

I have a hard time buying that last bit. Brazil and Indonesia, yes.
But , Europe? can't get much more western, lethargic and decadent in my book.

[mustkillmulloway]

still backing the average age in any lineup has double in a decade

and throwin in the "äverage" ability on display in any line up has declined markdly over the same time

yeah i'm callin it....our pro's may be better than eva....but the average surfer now has less skills and ability than eva



look at any lineup....not only was it better, less crowded in the past, it was also surfed much better by the majority crew

if we have had generation x and y....wat we have now is the hoax generation they rip only in there minds

[Quangers]

^^^^
Yeah I agree. My mate who is turning the big 50 this year says it must suck for those of us who were born in the 70s or later and didn't start surfing in them. Heaps of his generation still surf (clogging up the line-ups ) and don't look like giving up anytime soon. (What sport other than golf has old cranky buggers still getting amongst it?)
He reckons when he started there wasn't an older crew in the same sense that we see today -
and you old timers, you bastard$ are so 'inspiring' that other fat baby boomers are spending their disposable income on custom McTavish boards with the full gloss coat and dragging them out into line-ups to learn to surf or find themselves, or make contact with their wild child or whatever the fcuk they call it.
Most of the beginners I see aren't kids - they are too busy finding the next new thing to do - it is middle aged blokes making the 'sport' even less appealing to fashion conscious kids.
When the baby boomers finally start acting their age, the line-ups are going to get a lot less crowded.

[Cuttlefish]

still backing the average age in any lineup has double in a decade

and throwin in the "äverage" ability on display in any line up has declined markdly over the same time

yeah i'm callin it....our pro's may be better than eva....but the average surfer now has less skills and ability than eva



look at any lineup....not only was it better, less crowded in the past, it was also surfed much better by the majority crew

if we have had generation x and y....wat we have now is the hoax generation they rip only in there minds

Have to agree with this and add to it.
When it comes to Noosa the growing problem is the number of people out there with lack of water knowledge.
So many waves fucked up by people simply sitting there gawping at you instead of paddling out of your way.
Also others who will stay put simply to screw your wave which is happening with increasing frequency.