The two groups of surfers were all aware of the existence of two separate surfing tribes, and they did suggest a sense of competition or friendly rivalry existed between the tribes. Interviewing folks from Yallingup, and from 30 kilometres down Caves Road at Margaret River, it was really interesting to see the existence of two distinctive surfing tribes, that were not only separated by time and space, but by their values and practice in the field. Moreover, understanding the reality of surfing hierarchies, and where you fit into that pecking order. One of the interesting aspects that turned up in the investigation was the importance of the sense of belonging to the surfing tribe. They connect with the ecology of the region. They know the local surfers, they know their environment. In the research, I discovered that the typical Cape Naturaliste surfer identifies himself/herself as a tribal member, and identifies with others in their tribe. One of the characteristics of this particular surfing tribe, and the central theme of the chapter, is the presence of surf tourism both in its inception and its development, exemplified by one of your interviewees in how “the annual surf trip is an important part of our local surfing culture, a great way to escape winter.” Besides the adventurous spirit and the winter migratory flight, what makes Cape Naturaliste a surfing tribe – what makes a “Cape Crusader”? Speaking of the aforementioned region, the chapter you wrote deals with the history and dynamics of the surfing culture in Cape Naturaliste, epitomised in the local surf tribe, the “Cape Crusaders”. Arguably, surfing opened up Western Australia’s Yallingup / Margaret River region, well before the famous wines and wineries. Because surfers are traditionally hardcore travellers, going to off-the-beaten-track destinations, they often break new ground in discovering tourist hot spots. Handling different situations, the unexpected things that travel dishes up, teaches resilience. Travel is such an important avenue for learning, and learning about yourself is a big part of that process. The spirit of exploration involves observing new places, different food, unusual cultures, seeing people living life in their reality … but undeniably, surf travel is underpinned by the hope of discovering exceptional surf, and enjoying the reward of riding those waves. Scoring great waves when you’re travelling as a surfer is a bonus. Answering the question, I have often chatted with my mates about the ‘surfing adventure’. Mix that with youthful verve and a surfboard, and that’s definitely a recipe for fun. Bali was all new and very exciting in the early 1980s. I probably sound like a bit of a young hooligan with that opening quote. With that in mind, why would you say surf tourism is important for you as a person, and as a surfer? I’m currently down at Denmark, on Western Australia’s south coast, and doing some lecturing work at UWA in Albany.”Īt the beginning of the chapter you state: “I am grateful that surf tourism is a significant element of my life.” Later, you recount your first ever plane trip, where you visited Bali with a good friend and “managed to do all the things I promised Mum we wouldn’t-chowing down magic mushrooms, riding motor bikes at velocity around Denpasar’s roads and swilling Bintangs under the moon on the beach at the SandBar.” I gather that this infatuation for surf travel goes beyond wave-riding – an aspect which resonates with many surfers. I consider myself so lucky to have made some wonderful friends down that way though my work, through footy and in the waves. I moved down to Dunsborough in 1995 with my family, and we loved living on Geographe Bay – a beautiful location and a fantastic community. During university and my early work life, I regularly headed to Yallingup with my best mates, staying out at the Injidup camping ground under the tea trees, and enjoying the halcyon days surfing the Carpark, Yalls, Bears and further down the coast at Cowaramup Bay. My first surf trip down south in 1979, well that definitely changed my surfing perspective. “I started surfing as a 15-year-old around Perth’s metro beaches, up at Lancelin and down to Mandurah. Readers are encouraged to take the following comments for the case study that they are, using them as the basis for further discussion and reflection on their personal relationships with their own surf community, as well as their approach to surf travel, rather than as gospel truths about surf tourism dynamics. Surf Simply caught up with Dr Holt to hear more about the background of his research, as well as his opinions on the interrelations between ‘surf tribe’ and ‘surf tourism’.
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