While Watching The
Present it was said, “surf competitions only represent 99.5% of the surf
population.” This being said, whom does the surf competition really benefit?
Obviously its fun to go out and watch the best surfers in the world compete but
the whole competition aspect goes against surf culture in my opinion. Everyone
has a different relationship with surfing and for most it’s a spiritual
connection to nature, that’s the focus and the main draw to surf. Competition
comes relatively naturally when surfing with friends as far as a showing each
other who is best. The competitions support the surfers on a small scale but
they’re mostly funding the surf brands. Personally I would rather see the top
surfers just catching a sesh and enjoying themselves then watch them at a
contest.
Maya -
ReplyDeleteGood insights. Your desire to watch the best surfers just enjoying themselves is what gave rise to the notion of the 'free surfer' in the '90s. The 'free surfer' is a non-competing professional who makes money through photo endorsement contracts and being featured in surf films. Both the photos and films are in turn used by their respective sponsor's to advertise their wares and feed in the perpetual creation of ideas of paradise and perfection we have discussed - and thus the circle of life via capitalisms continues . . . like the snake that eats its own tail.
- Trey