"Turn-Taking in the Surfers’ Lineup," an academic analysis by Kenneth Liberman

Kenneth B. Liberman, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Oregon, has studied and analyzed the relationships between surfers, the rules of wave riding, and the moral values found in the surf. “Turn-Taking in the Surfers’ Lineup” is one of the most relevant contributions to the knowledge of wave scarcity, surf etiquette, and the corresponding […]

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Kenneth B. Liberman, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Oregon, has studied and analyzed the relationships between surfers, the rules of wave riding, and the moral values found in the surf. “Turn-Taking in the Surfers’ Lineup” is one of the most relevant contributions to the knowledge of wave scarcity, surf etiquette, and the corresponding effects on surfers. Surfing is facing a crisis as the number of surfers keeps rising in every country, leading to overcrowding at surfing breaks. Rides are becoming scarcer, even while the spirit of surfing remains resistant to being governed by rules that might alleviate the situation. An Italian sociologist, Ugo Corte (2013: 25), describes this resistance to rules and writes, “Activities such as surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, and BMX [have] been labeled ‘lifestyle sports’ because an ethos of anti-competitiveness, anti-regulations, high risk, personal freedom, and artistic expression differs from traditional mainstream sports.”

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"Turn-Taking in the Surfers’ Lineup," an academic analysis by Kenneth Liberman

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