Surfers have created their own subculture, which has been associated with concepts such as environmentalism, masculinity, place, and nonconformity, yet the increasing global reach of their sport has created transnational surf communities that bring into question the definition of what it means to be a "local" surfer. This ethnographic study examines identity construction in local Nicaraguan surfers, the ways in which their subculture has formed within a transnational context, how they accept/reject resident foreign surfers, and how foreign surfers see themselves in Nicaragua's globalized surf space. The findings indicate that Nicaraguan surfers have formed their own local surf subculture from globalized influences, and determining whether foreigners are accepted or rejected from this subculture depends on a complex set of factors related to their relationship with local surfers and the local indigenous community.

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I IntroductionTourism has become a key economic development strategy for lesser developed countries (LDCs) because of its potential to generate foreign exchange earnings, encourage foreign investment, increase tax revenues and facilitate jobs for residents (Carbone, 2005;Chok et al., 2007;Scheyvens, 2007). According to statistics prepared by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO, 2011), tourism development has been a suc-cessful strategy; it is the leading (or a primary) source of export earnings in nearly one-half of the LDCs. Tourism's earning potential is expected to continue: 'By 2030, 58% of international arrivals will be to emerging economy destinations… [including] Latin America…' (UNWTO, 2011: 1). While tourism clearly has the potential to generate revenue for LDCs, Torres and Momsen (2004) and Yang et al. (2013) suggest that academicians and aid agencies begin to focus on the 

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Surfer identity construction has been linked to a number of factors, including a strong attachment to place. Surfers have always been a mobile population, and the search for waves in new places is a central aspect of the sport. The movement of surfers has led to the development of transnational communities in surf destinations. This ethnographic study examined the ways in which expatriates in Costa Rica construct their identities as local surfers. Many expatriates considered themselves local surfers as a result of the time they had lived and surfed in Pavones and their knowledge of the wave. Many Ticos did not think of expatriates as local surfers. Some expatriates' assertions of local identity and resultant aggression were sources of frustration for Ticos, tourists, and other expatriates.