Surfers are a subculture that partake in riding waves as a sport, the surfer subculture has been a large influence on music, fashion and art.
History[]
Surfing itself began in Hawaii, going as far back as the 1700s, but began to die down and gain a negative reputation among American missionaries who disapproved of its associations with gambling and sexuality.
The worldwide interest in surfing began when Freeth and Kahanamoku gave demonstrations on surfing in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
Gaining popularity in the 1960s and spreading as its own subculture in California, it gained traction through media that romanticized the aesthetic, such as the music of the Beach Boys, and the movies of Elvis Presley, they also became associated with the Hippie movement, as they were stereotyped as being lazy and drug addicted.
Visuals[]
Beaches
Surfboards
Waves
Tourist shops
Tropical visuals, such as Hawaiian shirts and Tiki imagery
Fashion[]
Surfer fashion utilizes a carefree feeling along with the need for clothing that is fit for being active, due to the nature of the lifestyle
Board shirts
Bikinis
Graphic tees
Flip flops
Sunglasses
Slang[]
The surfer subculture has developed its own dialect in the places where it is most popular(such as California and New Zealand) Due to being synonymous with California , it may cross over with some other slang from the state.
Dude - Friend of surfer
YEW - Indication of a large wave being spotted/used when a surfer is finished riding a wave
Far out - Used to describe a good wave ride experience
Grommet - Young surfer, also used as a way to refer to young children
Hang ten - A trick in which one’s toes are curled around the nose of the surfboard
Kook - Beginner surfer or anyone who unconsciously causes trouble for the gang of surfers
Music[]
The Beach Boys
Dazey and the Scouts
Dick Dale
Eddy and the Showmen
The Sandals
Al Casey
Gallery[]
