Surf Culture

Don't get me started!!! Too late. I've gotten myself started already. What bothers me is that corporate America and Hollywood are allowed to dictate what surf culture is. From what I can tell, they view surfing as the domain of those who are young, blond, and moving through life without a care in the world. Has anyone looked at the people sitting out in the line-ups? Most of us don't fall within that demographic. Does that mean we're not true surfers? I'm sorry, Roxy, but I'm middle-aged with a husband, a kid, and a shitload of bills. I also have a job. And when given a little free time to myself, I surf. The people I see surfing day in and day out are usually over 30. Very few of us are walking billboards for the big surf corporations. Outside of the water, there is nothing about any of us that would suggest that we surf. Does that mean we don't count? Does it mean I'm dressed the wrong way? I'm always a little surprised and pissed off when people say, with a raised eyebrow, "You surf? Really?" Well, what the hell do they think surfers look like?

On a side note, do we non-Hawaiian surfers really have a right to claim surfing as part of our culture? Aren't the Hawaiians the only ones who can that?