We are a blessing.
2020/21 has been a banner year for surfing with booming participation, exploding participation, robust growth in participation. Of course, we, here, all feel very grouchy about it and salve our grump by openly mocking a World Surf League that, somehow, has not been able to take advantage of a participatory windfall but, still, those stuffed lineups hurt.
Well, at least the spike is both doing wonderful things for the environment and local economies as spotlighted in the delightful new field of “surfonomics” just profiled in the august BBC.
Per the story, “The idea of using economics to assess the value of surfing resources, branded “surfonomics”, has been around for a little over a decade. An early study in the field centred on Mavericks in California, a famous break that throws up waves of 10-30ft (3-9m), and draws in huge crowds of spectators. Big wave surfer João de Macedo, a campaigner who was involved in the research, says Mavericks already had legal protection as a national marine sanctuary, but surfonomics “was something that when you talk to a politician [they could use to] justify conservation in a more practical way”. The net economic value of Mavericks was finally estimated at about $24m (£17m) a year filtering through its local tourism industry.”
$24m a year.
Does the figure surprise?
A drop in the bucket compared to jolly old Great Britain where local surfonomists estimate our Pastime of Queens squirts an extra $2.5b into the coffers which can then be used to solve mental health crises related to feeling isolated from Europe etc.
The International Association of Surfing Academics studied Lobitos in Peru, and showed how protecting its environment, reefs, etc. was important to wave health and surfers would then kick down $3.6m while they came to enjoy. The government was so impressed that it became the very first country to give legal protection to waves.
Other nations are now following suit.
But did you know we were so generous and that our generosity made the world a better place?
I didn’t.
Thank you, surfonomics.
I shall sleep well tonight for the first time in, like, eight years.
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The question is how much disposable income Stab is draining from surfing economies of the world through sky rocketing stab premium memberships – exploiting inelastic global demand for stellar surf journalism.
Yo elo, your facing the wrong way. Ceo of surfing doesn’t even know Dukes message.
Duke also said “never turn your back on your social media platform content creator”.
Lobitos IS the shit. But if memory serves me correct, it’s on an old Peruvian military site. Reminiscent of Camp Pendleton, but with no San Diego or Orange County bracketing it. There ain’t shit there, or generally nearby, to spend $3.6 million on. Unless some intrepid surfer paid the $3.6 for a boatload of Peru’s finest to wash up there…..
That’s what it used to be like. Now it can get crowded as fuck and there are all types of hostels and restaurants in the abandoned houses on the base…well this was before Covid
dang! the few seasons i spent down in South America, it’d be indeed booked with Brazilians, but even they’d have to make the daily long-haul in there, and vibes were always high despite the talented lineups and pumping waves. good times. $3.6M of Peruvian coke was cool to imagine, tho
The International Association of Surfing Academics? Guilt by Association.
Now, if it was a Committee…
Isn’t it just weird that weed is immune to inflation?
Also skateboards.
That is weird.
In the ’80’s a pro-model deck by Mark (the murderer) Rogowski went for $45 bucks. About the same as today, 30 years later. (course today ol Gator is sitting in jail, so he probably isn’t selling many boards).
The market has corrected so nicely. Wow have I over paid for so long. But some states have shifted the limits from law enforcement/cartel limits to formal regs
Blimey guvna! $2.5 billion spent on a plethora of shit beach breaks?! People really will spend their money on any old shit.
And when you include
Meth and wax in these numbers
It’s incredible!
And that’s just for Wiggs!
I see they’re getting their numbers from Paul Speaker there. Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick.
I wonder if they could use surfonomics to bolster kswc chances of selling a pool ?
Prolly not, euthanasia might be a better option for the red-headed step child of tubs.