From the can-you-believe-it Dept: “The average California surfer is 35 years old!”

Also college educated with four surfboards in his garage!

Can you believe it? Our favorite pastime is ancient sure. As ancient as the proud Peruvian Norte Chicans. As ancient as the coca leaf (learn about the love story here!) but it has always felt young. Bushy bushy blonde hair-dos etc.

But what if I told you that the average California surfer is a college educated thirty-five-year old male earning 75k a year owning 4 surfboards.

Would you believe me?

According to the San Francisco Chronicle it’s true!

I don’t normally read the San Francisco Chronicle because I am a Padres fan, a Lakers fan and mostly a Collingwood Magpies fan but I think it is a legitimate source so let us read together.

The average California surfer, studies show, is about 35 years old, college-educated and making $75,000 a year, enough income to own, on average, four surfboards.

The typical surfer isn’t a low-income, Muni-riding San Francisco high school student who recently learned how to swim.

Yet more than 100 teenagers from the Mission, Western Addition and other neighborhoods across the city are becoming part of the Bay Area’s surf scene, learning to catch waves and earning gym-class credit while wearing a wetsuit.

Surfer and former teacher Johnny Irwin founded the City Surf Project four years ago, realizing that most urban kids — even those who live within a few miles of the ocean — don’t surf. But they want to, he said.

Etc.

I stopped reading at “Muni-riding” but does the whole 35 year old, 75k, four surfboard thing surprise you?

Is surfing becoming a rich, white man’s game a la golf and skiing?

World Surf League are you reading? Just imagine the adult learner products that could be rolled out.

A very exiting time.

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channelbottom
channelbottom
7 years ago

I know I know.
I kinda posed it as a ”international message board for older surfers.”
And left it at that…

IkeaMonkeySurfsBetterthanYou
IkeaMonkeySurfsBetterthanYou
7 years ago

I don’t think 35 is “Old” In Fact I think Old is an rude word and have never liked referring to people as old. To me Old means that you’re no longer useful. But no matter what you’re age is you can contribute or be useful. You’re as old as you feel. Also in order for this study to be valid they would of had to do a census on every surfer in California and ask their age and income. Can’t stand these “studies” where they only ask 100 people questions and expect that group to represent everyone as a whole.

Low wide stinkbug stance
Low wide stinkbug stance
7 years ago

The whole surfing originated in South America thing has been debunked. I know this because I took South American Archaeology. The professors were completely scornful of Thor Hyerdahl (but they did have a cardboard cutout of Indiana Jones in the foyer). Did you know the Kon Tiki had to be towed out of the harbour because the wind was constantly onshore and they couldn’t sail into the wind?

Phat-wan kerr
Phat-wan kerr
7 years ago

is VONR cruising around here?

janeausten
janeausten
7 years ago

…and a movie
https://www.imdb.com/title/…

channelbottom
channelbottom
7 years ago
Reply to  janeausten

And an ABBA song.

janeausten
janeausten
7 years ago
Reply to  channelbottom
2019 the year the market crash
2019 the year the market crash
7 years ago

Ya with multipule pinatas of Ben Marcus everwhever with bats for additional entertainment.

MAGA

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago

Think big , spend big . Go bigger . If you owe the bank $75 k that’s your problem but, if you owe them 750 million that’s their problem ?

Jen See
Jen See
7 years ago

This has so much possibility!

Black Rubber
Black Rubber
7 years ago

Study couldn’t have been Bay Area specific. Age is a touch young, avg income is $200k, $400K if married and counting joint income and the board count is just north of 4, all Wavestorms. They also missed “owns small Audi suv with racks that scream ‘I surf!'”.

Magnum
Magnum
7 years ago

I guess that makes me an above average California surfer.

Caroline Mark’s dreams
Caroline Mark’s dreams
7 years ago

Study shows: surfers are still the worst.

Phat-wan kerr
Phat-wan kerr
7 years ago

what are the stats for “below average ” surfers. I seem to recall there are a lot of them but its been while since the last trip.

Chief Hot stuff
Chief Hot stuff
7 years ago

I love the wooza so
I’ll be the black hat.
Might get a go at Rosie so I’m there.

channelbottom
channelbottom
7 years ago

Do you think BG would count as a ‘peer reviewed journal’?

James Bickerton
James Bickerton
7 years ago
Reply to  channelbottom

Huntington Peer ?

channelbottom
channelbottom
7 years ago

Here’s hopping!

Jordy's pout
Jordy's pout
7 years ago

As a pathetic 35-year-old, I’m flattered by your accidental compliment.

channelbottom
channelbottom
7 years ago

I just mentioned the idea in a vaguely explained way (how do I explain BG?) laughingly to the wife
… who quickly jerked the choke-chain and declared that the family would not be left behind.

I think if scraped my pennies together and went, it would be the end of my marriage.

You’d a be a legend if you guys pulled it off.

Chief Hot stuff
Chief Hot stuff
7 years ago

Thought y’all got paid in shit coin?

Chief Hot stuff
Chief Hot stuff
7 years ago

Who we gonna get for muscle!
Brazzo cage dudes?

Captain Planet
Captain Planet
7 years ago

Brazzo cage dudes will stand by and watch as an endless stream of Hawaiians mercilessly swat at your $15 Acai bowl, completely blowing your food budget and leaving you hungry during the waiting period. Forced to take your banner and PA system on to the Wiki Wiki Express bus back to the Honolulu airport, dragging your failed blueprint in the roller bag behind you…… Hire local.

Chief Hot stuff
Chief Hot stuff
7 years ago
Reply to  Captain Planet

No worries
I’ll get my mum to make a few spam sangas for them.

channelbottom
channelbottom
7 years ago

I appreciate it LGR.

I had my sleeping bag pissed in by the Hawaiian kids in 7th grade, so I’m fully versed in the unfortunate intimacy of urine-soaked camping.

Nick Carroll
Nick Carroll
7 years ago

I think that would be considered a win all round.


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