Bali to Biarritz: Surf Spot Overcrowding and the Fight to Protect the Essence of Catching a Wave

Bali to Biarritz: Surf spot overcrowding and the fight to protect the essence of catching a wave

Invented in Hawaii, surfing gained popularity in the United States and Australia in the 1950s before becoming a global phenomenon. Now practiced in more than 150 countries, its spread has been driven by media and tourism. Surf tourism involves travelling to destinations to catch waves, either with a surfboard or through activities such as body surfing or bodyboarding. Tourists range from seasoned surfers to beginners eager to learn. The allure o…

Peace, Love, And Unity Through Surfing, Skating, And A Bit Of Chaos

It’s hard to explain Biarritz to the uninitiated. You’ve got a Hermès store, stone-walled Basque restaurants, a casino, and a literal palace all right in front of a wave where you’ll find either kids landing airs or a thousand people flailing around on Decathlon soft tops depending on the day. At night, the town is a vortex. There’s something about being surrounded by beautifully designed buildings and sharply dressed people that makes staying o…