The Value of Recreational Surfing to Society

Abstract

This article comments briefly on the origins of surfing and its growth through the 20th century, discusses the growth of participation in surfing, and then uses a range of social science techniques including observed market expenditure and nonmarket valuation to describe the socioeconomic value of surfing at various locations. The findings demonstrate the significant economic, social, and cultural importance of surfing amenity, the need to clearly articulate and measure changes in recreational amenity, and the need to consider any negative impacts on surf breaks and the natural environment that may occur as a result of development, coastal planning, and protection works.

Investigating the Importance of Surf Resource Sustainability Indicators: Stakeholder Perspectives for Surf Tourism Planning and Development

“…In developed countries, such as Australia, the UK, and the USA, urban surf sites witness high-use and high-impact visitation from local surfers seeking recreational space. Here, threats and impacts of urbanization, including coastal development and pollution, have negative implications for surfing resources, while small business and communities benefit from economic opportunity and infrastructure (Lazarow et al, 2007(Lazarow et al, , 2008Marchant & Mottiar, 2011;Nelsen et al, 2007;Shaw & Williams, 2004;Shipway, 2007;Phillips & House, 2009). …”

“…Of particular interest is the development of Surfing Capital, an approach to recognizing a range of ecological features of surfing areas as both intrinsic and valued assets (Lazarow, 2010;Lazarow et al, 2007Lazarow et al, , 2008. In making an apparent connection between the ecological health of marine systems and surfing, Shuman and Hodgeson (2009) note that coral reef areas are among the best locations in the world for surfing and stress the significance of increasing knowledge and awareness of the health of coral reefs on a global scale in an effort to actively assist in the conservation of these ecosystems.…”

Exploring online customization of a high involvement experience product

“…The surfing industry is worth of over $6 billion alone in the US (SIMA, 2010), and surfing has both economic and social implication in the regions where it is mostly practiced (Lazarow et al, 2008).…”

Paisaje, patrimonio y turismo de surf: factores de atracción y motivación en el Parque Natural del Estrecho, España

“…Hemos de insistir, no obstante, en la existencia de una deficiente y escasa regulación y protección de actividades como el surf y algunos elementos patrimoniales que sustentan a éstas como el paisaje litoral y las olas, pese a alcanzar una valoración económica «produc-tivista» de primer magnitud para los agentes locales y usuarios turísticos encuestados, como ocurre también en otros destinos estudiados (Eberlein, 2011;y Lazarow, Miller y Blackwell, 2009). Nos inclinamos, por tanto, por compatibilizar la urbanización y los equipamientos turísticos con el paisaje, ya que constituye el procedimiento más eficaz para la preservación del medio y para garantizar un cierto grado de permanencia de aquellos rasgos que tiene sentido mantener y mostrar el destino frente a la estandarización.…”

“…No obstante, hemos podido apoyarnos en algunos trabajos de interés sobre temáticas y áreas de conocimiento diversas, principalmente extranjeros y del ámbito anglosajón y francófono: 1.) sociología, imaginario y cultura-subcultura del surfing (Kampion, 2003;Gonfaus, 2006;Ford y Brown, 2006;Krause, 2007;Taylor, 2007;Sayeux, 2008;Evers, 2009;De Alesi, 2009;Hill y Abbott, 2009;Lazarow, Miller y Blackwell, 2009;Mach, 2009); 2.) historia, características físico-deportivas de las prácticas y perfil de los usuarios (Wheaton y Tomlinson, 1998;Poizat-New Comb, 1999;Ponting, 2000;Esparza, 2001;Gómez, Mosquera y Montero, 2003y 2004Dolnicar y Fluker, 2003;Ryan, 2007;Young, 2008;Manifield, 2009;Pellón, 2009ay Vagos, 20123.…”