Surf Culture in the Twentieth Century - Research Paper Example

Surfing Culture Culture is what the society practices and attaches value to in their daily activities. The customs, beliefs and traditions practiced by a particular group of people constitute to culture. Industrial revolution has since changed the nature of culture because people have travelled to different parts of the world, acquired new practices which have influenced their original way of doing things. Mass media has played a great role in influencing change globally due to the fact that channels of communication can be reached by anybody anywhere. Televisions, movies, music, internet and written materials have facilitated people to have access to different cultures within their reach. Educational systems have changed; students are given the chance to learn different communities and their cultures, inter-country school programs have changed the perception of culture exclusion. Many multinational industries help in exposing certain cultures and people to the world through their commercials enabling people learn and practice what they come across as a way of appreciating different cultures. Surf culture has been in existence since nineteenth century but became more popular in the twentieth century. Surf over several years ago was associated with the quasi religious practices which highlighted on the significance of valuing natural world and the spiritual way of being. It is said that surf culture originated from Hawaii (Taylor 925). This sport was dismissed by the missionaries as it was associated with laziness of the Hawaiians who could not do any other job but to practice their life style which led to a drop in the number of people surfing. Most of these individuals who value surfing are found living along the coast. It was until the late 20th century when female beings in the community fully ventured into the activity (McGloin 79). Surfing is a sporting activity which has influenced the lives of several people in the United States. Surfing in not only a culture exclusive to one community but is appreciated globally in running marketing promotions, sporting, tourism and for scenic and aesthetic attractions (Taylor 928). Outsider perspective Surfing has been associated with economic development in United States of America; its contribution to the economy through tourism, commercial industry and as a sporting activities. Surfing as a sporting activity in United States of America has been upheld and upgraded in that it is being held annually. People have a chance to expose their talent which they had not been able to through other activities. It is a very relaxing activity which any body can take part in as long as the individual has the passion and interest for it. It does not have to be the Hawaiians. In the process of organizing the sport, tickets are sold, many business individuals can sell more of their products to the participants and the spectators resulting into an improved business returns. McGloin states that the sport had not gained popularity among the female but the perception has changed over time where ladies have engaged themselves (68). The competition draws competitors from different parts of the country, people with different cultures and interests. Employment opportunities have been realized from surf in various parts of United States because clubs and associations were formed and managers were on demand. Local and international tourism has been promoted by surfing both as a culture and as a sport. Many people who live along the coastal areas especially the beaches spend most of their leisure time in the sport. It is a source of joy to most of them (Wagner, Nelsen & Walker 2). International tourisms mostly visit California which was one of the towns where surfing was established in U.S. The amount of revenue tourists pay to the government of U.S is huge. Tourists enjoy watching the activity that pay a lot of money just to have more opportunity to observe the surfers. The beautiful scenery and the artistic features associated with surf are great. Visitors to the area admire the people and their activities, the beautiful ladies capture the attention of many (McGloin 96). Newly weds prefer to have their honeymoon in such areas where they spend their time surfing. Surf culture has been utilized by many international companies for marketing of the products, for example, Coca Cola Company, Motorola and chevron. It is a great indication that the culture is not only for the natives but for the whole world (McGloin 96). The self identification of the surfers in terms of clothing has boost the global business of clothe making industries because many people demand to have a feeling of the culture by putting on the T-shirts and the wetsuits. Women clothes associated with surfer culture have been on the rise in United States for the past two decades where the country realized tremendous increase in the returns. Surf magazines were established which have gained generous reception in the market because people enjoy admiring pictures of beautiful people. Some organizations advertise their products in the magazines. The coming of new technology has sold the culture to the international world through music, movies and documentaries. Most of the soap operas have their episodes recorded along the beaches with people practicing the activity (McGloin 98). Some of the actors are seen surfing and pictures of surfers act as background images. Movies, mostly acted in the U.S employ surfing as a way of transportation and escape from the strangers. Songs have also utilized the activity, for instance, the Beach boys in their song ‘surfin USA’ which was released in 1963 capitalized on surfing as a form of transportation to flee United States of America where people were involved in the cold war and economic crisis. Generally, rock music has its roots from surf culture. Regardless of surf culture being appreciated and admired globally, it has been associated with individuals who do not care about developing their professional careers. Use of drugs has been linked with this culture (McGloin 98). This perception has changed because of the strong emphasis the American Surfing Association managers put on the sport by ensuring that individuals participate in the activity but still take up their careers. Many transnational corporations have employed most of the surfers and pay them large sums of money. Therefore, surf culture in the U.S is trying to change the perception people have about it; it is not only a culture but a sport, tourist attraction activity, business activity, marketing tool as well as a career to some. Economic improvement in United States has been realized from this event through employment opportunities and business globally (Wagner, Nelsen & Walker 2). Insider Perspective If you ask me what surfing is, you don’t expect an answer from me. The question seems redundant and ridiculous. This is because, us as surfers understands what it is as we spend our whole lives practicing it. On the contrary, you do not need to be a surfer to comprehend the underlying secrets behind the culture. All you require is a mind that is open. With the help of me as an interviewee, it will be easier to comprehend why surfing as a culture is being imitated all over the world. According to my point of view, surfing is the constituent of ancient teachings that forms part and parcel of spiritual enlightenment. The teachings are still applicable in today’s world and helps individuals to discover the underlying secrets to peace and happiness. However, another interviewee had this to say about surfing. According my view, surfing is a form of expressing creativity. Surfing as a culture has helped in contributing to changes that are social. For instance, it advocates for environmental protection. The “Surf Rider Foundation” is a good expression of how close surfers are to the nature. The foundation has dedicated its resources in natural environment improvement. It is championing for cleaner beaches and storm water reduction. Furthermore, it is campaigning for sewerage emission reduction into the ocean waters in both the United States of America and Australia. It is an activity that is noble among our age groups. It has a significant social function whereby, we as youths are provided with an identity that is distinct from our family. It gives us an avenue for physical development proficiency and aggression development. This is confined within a hierarchy that is competitive comprising of cultural symbols that are clearly identifiable. Most importantly, the surfing culture helps us as youths to become tolerant and understanding to distinct ethnic groups and societies in the world. The third interviewee had to answer some questions on the future of surfing as a culture. And this is what she had to say. Surf culture continues to expand worldly because of the presence of Trans National Surfing Industry and its association with professional in the surfing industry. These groups have been on the fore front marketing surf as a popular culture. The marketing has been done through newspaper publications, utilization of the internet, television and through movies. As a result of globalization, institutionalization of this culture will be cheaper and easier. According to SBS independent Films 1996, the market for surfing is opening up in various destinations such as Philippines, Indonesia and South America via surfing tourism. Eco Tourism and surf tourism are being integrated thus marketing surf culture further. It is also important to note that technology is allowing us as surfers to gain popularity among various groups in the world. However, sometimes we face various challenges as a result of our popular culture. Individuals view our culture as undesirable as a result of certain attitudes and value. For instance, us as surfers are often associated with sexual promiscuity and drug users. They do not value its positive side of influencing other mainstream culture such as environmental values that are triggered by the culture. As a concluding remark, individuals should promote their own culture and identify with it. Culture not only brings joy and happiness to those individuals associated with it, rather it is a source of capital and value development. Through, our surf culture, beaches have been revived through the promotion of environmental values. Industries located alongside the beach are urged to treat their effluent before releasing them to the ocean waters and also in reducing the amount of storm water being directed to the ocean waters. Culture is related to nature due to its tender nature. In that case, when an individual talks about culture, it broadly covers an area where nature is confronted by people (Ardono 145). The surf culture is not an exception. Individuals have formed foundations that whose main aim is to protect the environment from human destruction. These organizations advocates for peaceful coexistence of people with nature. Popular cultures such as surf culture are often perpetuated by major Trans National Corporations. This is experienced through paraphernalia promotions such as accessories, movies, magazines, clothing and equipment. Industries have generated multibillion shillings through associating their products with a popular culture. For instance, the surf culture has been perpetuated via the utilization of mass media in the promotion of multiple paraphernalia and products. For example, the Motorola Company and coca cola are utilizing the surf culture images for their products promotion (Flint 2). Works cited < http://surflibrary.org/popularculture.html> Adorno, Theodor. Kutur and Culture. Duke: Duke University Press, 2009. Flint, John. Popular culture surfing. Web.10April.2012 McGloin Collen. Surfing nation(s)- Surfing country(s). University of Wollongong. 2005. Web. 10 April, 2012, from :< http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=issues+cocerning+surfer+culture&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CFYQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.limmatwave.ch%2FPresse%2FSurfonomicsStudieMundaka.pdf> Of the American Academy of Religion, Vol. 75(4), pp. 923-951, 2007. Web. 10 April, 2012, from Taylor Bron. Surfing into Spirituality and a New, Aquatic Nature Religion. Journal Wagner Scott, Nelsen Chad, & Walker Matt. A Socioeconomic and Recreational Profile of Surfers in the United States: A report by Surf-­?First and the Surfrider Foundation. 2011. Web. 10 April, 2012 from :< http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=surfing+in+US+%22pdf%22&source=web&cd=7&ved=0CEkQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsurfrider.org%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fpublications%2Fsurfrider_report_v13%281%29.pdf> Read More