Re-defining localism: an ethnography of human territoriality in the surf

Contested surf tourism resources in the Maldives

“…As indicated in interviews and popular surfing literature, however, these are closely bound up with crowding-related conflicts between individual surfers, which have been subject to quite substantial research effort. Phenomena such as surf rage (Buckley, 2015;Mixon, 2014;Usher & Kerstetter, 2015), surf localism (Mixon, 2014;Usher, Goff, & Gómez, 2016;Usher & Kerstetter, 2015), and surf tribalism (Anderson, 2016;Goulding, Shankar, & Canniford, 2013) have all been examined either independently, or in conjunction with the actual or potential protection or privatization of surfing sites (Nelsen, Cummins, & Tagholm, 2013;O'Brien & Ponting, 2013;Ponting & O'Brien, 2014). Our results here show how those localscale interpersonal conflicts are embedded in broader scale stakeholder conflicts over property rights.…”

Exploring surfers’ perceptions of municipal regulations using grounded theory

“…The conflict between resident surfers and non-resident surfers is a more specific concept known as localism in surf culture. Localism is not typically included as an aspect of the recreational conflict literature, but it has been addressed in the surf culture and surf tourism literature (Daskalos 2007;Nazer 2004;Preston-Whyte 2002;Usher and Kerstetter forthcoming). Localism is a form of territoriality whereby resident surfers attempt to exclude non-resident surfers from a surfing area through verbal cues or gestures, not following surf etiquette, intimidation, threats and at the most extreme, violence (beating up people, property damage, etc.)…”

“…Localism is a form of territoriality whereby resident surfers attempt to exclude non-resident surfers from a surfing area through verbal cues or gestures, not following surf etiquette, intimidation, threats and at the most extreme, violence (beating up people, property damage, etc.) (Preston-Whyte 2002;Usher and Kerstetter forthcoming;Warshaw 2003). The manifestation of localism in surfing is connected with crowding at surf breaks because surfing has become a popular sport (Alessi 2009;Nazer 2004;Scheibel 1995).…”

“…Our study also seems to indicate that crowding could be at the root of localism in Virginia Beach. The crowded conditions threaten the surf resource for the local "tribe" of surfers and some locals may believe that regulating the break through aggressive behaviour and violations of surf etiquette can preserve that resource for local use (Nazer 2004;Sweeney 2005;Usher and Kerstetter forthcoming).…”

“Foreign Locals”: Transnationalism, Expatriates, and Surfer Identity in Costa Rica

“…However, this raises questions of who is considered a local surfer and who can do that defining. Although many studies have explored the issue of localism and acknowledged it as a part of many surf communities (Beaumont & Brown, 2014; Comley & Thoman, 2011; Evers, 2009; Olivier, 2012; Scott, 2003; Sweeney, 2005; Usher & Kerstetter, 2015a; Waitt & Warren, 2008), more in-depth explorations of the ways in which surfers define themselves and their fellow surfers in relation to place could lead to greater understanding of the phenomenon. Usher and Kerstetter (2015b) found that indigenous surfers and resident foreigner surfers regulated a surf break in Nicaragua in different ways, but both identified as local surfers.…”