Surfaid

Surfing and globalization brings up the topic of ideoscapes. When thinking about ideoscapes, human rights will naturally come to subject. The idea of human rights in of itself is something characteristic of globalization. Previously, it was accepted to only enjoy certain rights if you were of a certain nation that provided those rights. Borders seemed to limit rights. Now, however, rights have become universal or global.

To better understand what is meant by human rights, here is the official UN Preamble of Human Rights:

“Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.” 

- http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

In Article 3 of The Declaration of Human Rights it states, “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” In this instance, there is emphasis placed of the word life. For many nations, the right to life may be in danger due to poverty, disease, and sickness.

For Surfaid, this has become their main focus. By partnering with governments and communities around the globe, Surfaid strives to combat disease, suffering and death. Health promotion and educational programs are run by Surfaid with the intent to decrease poor health habits and risk from natural disasters.

“SurfAid’s goal is to empower communities to help themselves and build local capacity so their improved health resilience is sustainable. We advocate health and wellbeing for all and create collaborative relationships with other stakeholder groups wherever we can so as to further sustained change in behaviour and development.” – surfaidinternational.org

With increased interconnectedness due to our day and age of globalization, it is refreshing to witness such organizations strive to allow nations to be much more autonomous in providing the right of life to their citizens.

To learn more and find out how you can help, visit: surfaidinternational.org 

- Bobby Poort 

Gay Surfers, Out in the Line up

  

Surfing is not merely about catching waves and living free, many people even though they are surfers feel as though they are in a prison, not able to say how they feel and who they really are. In sport that is all about freedom and expression there are those that feel so caught up and imprisoned by their own feelings that they quit surfing. Those people that deal with homosexuality in their lives feel exiled from the surf culture. It is a tough and sensitive subject that until now hasn't been properly addressed or resolved, and these people are still facing criticism in and out of the water.

 "Even after winning amateur surf contests in Australia, the fear of others finding out he was gay, made David Wakefield abandon competitive surfing. David kept his sexuality a secret for another 20 years. But when he finally decided to come out, he didn’t expect it would be on national television.

 The turning point in David’s story came when he met a French surfer named Thomas. Thomas had just set up GaySurfers.net, the world’s first online community of gay surfers. Suddenly David can connect with thousands of other like-minded surfers from all over the world. David and Thomas decide to march in the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, and David becomes the unsuspecting media focal point of TV news coverage – outing him to the whole country on national television.

 As unsettling as this is initially, David becomes more connected to his life, his sexuality and surfing. He leaves his job and embarks on a global journey to meet other gay surfers, ride some great waves together and hear of their fears, joys and experiences. David meets world champion Cori Schumacher, ex US pro-surfer Robbins Thompson and many more. He reaches out to pro-surfers, journalists and psychologists in a bid to understand why most gay surfers live a closeted life, how homophobia in surfing has come to be, and what needs to change. David’s discovery of the hidden side of surf culture reveals stories of discrimination and exclusion, but also of hope, energy, the love of the ocean – which create of a vision of the world where the new generation is free to be themselves and live their dreams."

There are people like Dave all over the world trying to raise awareness of Gays and Lesbians in the surfing world. It is a global community now thanks to the technologies that we have that can connect surfers all over the world.  These surfers are countering image of the stereotypical surfer, they are changing the ethnoscape of the water by utilizing their resources in the mediascape.  This is just the beginning of the push for world wide acceptance  in and out of the water.
 

Clark Little - Global Photographer

Clark Little – most would not recognize this name, and most would not know that Little has become a household name in the photography industry. Although, it is likely that most have seen one of his captured images in a magazine, commercial, or on some billboard somewhere in the city.

Originally born in California, at the age of two, Clark moved to the North Shore of Oahu when his family decided to depart the Californian shores. Little became quite popular in the surf community due to his fearless ability to charge solid Waimea shore break on his surfboard.

It wasn’t until recently in 2007 when he made his debut into the world of photography. Little, with his expertise in heavy shore break waves and placement in order to avoid getting seriously injured, became renowned for his beautiful images of marine life, underwater perspectives, and waves.

Visit clarklittlephotography.com and one will quickly see how globalization is a huge part of Little’s livelihood, even as a simple surf/water photographer.

"In just 6 years, Clark has gained worldwide recognition for his North Shore shorebreak wave photography with exhibitions in Japan, Brazil and throughout the US and appearances on television shows including Good Morning America, The Today Show, Inside Edition, Discovery Channel, ABC World News Now, NHK and Asahi TV programs in Japan. 

Clark's work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum, Alben B. Dow Museum, Science Museum of Virginia, Parco Logos Gallery (Tokyo, Japan), The Fours Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton Resorts, and published in National Geographic, New York Times, LIFE, Nikon World, Paris Match, Outdoor Japan, Sierra, Geo, Nature's Best Photography, Rangefinder, Surfer's Journal among others. Commercial clientes include Apple, Nike, Nikon, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Toyota, Anheuser Busch, Lockheed Martin, Verizon, and XS Energy Drink." - clarklittlephotography.com

As surfing is becoming globalized, the photography of Clark Little has allowed and pushed for the commodification of surfing. Many now have the opportunity to see a very special piece of surfing culture – being in the barrel. It is a wonderful thing, well, that depends on who you talk to.

To learn and see more, visit: clarklittlephotography.com

- Bobby Poort 

Surfing - Artform to Commodification

Typically, if a surfer is asked what surfing means to him or her, it is likely that their response will be much more than “well, it’s a great exercise.” That is because, as a person who loves surfing, surfing provides so much more than just a physical workout, even though I would argue that it might be one of the healthiest forms of exercise. So much is offered by surfing that it is common to hear a surfer refer to it as a spiritual experience – not just plain old surfing. Perhaps, for this reason, surfing has such a strong distinct and unique culture. Out of this culture comes a lifestyle and many unique characters who enjoy the surfing lifestyle in their own unique way.

So many identify with surfing – even those who have never experienced the wave sliding feeling. For a surfer, surfing is often something genuine and pure in essence and treated as if sacred. However, especially in today’s world, it isn’t uncommon to see non-surfers sporting surf fashion with surf brand clothing and surferesque hairstyles.

This is the commodification of surfing. With the increasing popularity of the art/sport, companies and corporations have found ways to exploit surfing and surf culture in order to profit. In globalization, surfing often loses its sacredness as it is treated as a commodity. As in the case with many other cultures, commodification will seemingly have its moments of highs and lows. Surfing hit a high during the 80’s and early 90’s. Near late 90’s and early 2000’s surf hype hushed down a bit, although, presently, it seems to reemerged and has reached a new high – this makes sense as our digital technology has increased allowing for more global interconnectedness.

Several films and TV shows have been created portraying surf culture and the surfing lifestyle. Often, these are seen as corny and far off from what it actually is. Surf clothing and surfer hairstyles are packaged and sold to the masses. Just as in the commodification with any culture or identity, so much of its genuine traits seem to be lost. 

- Bobby Poort 

Splinters - A Papua New Guinea Surf Tale

For many, it may be of some wonder as to how surfing changed the ehtnoscape in the area to which it was introduced. Could it really have that great of an impact? I mean really, it's just surfing... 

Adam Pesce's surf documentary, Splinters, is the perfect film to demonstrate just that. During the 80's, an Australian pilot who visited the area of Vanimo, Papa New Guinea, introduced the sport of surfing to the locals as they observed him surf the waves nearby. When the Aussie departed he left his surfboard behind. Splinters documents the effects of surfing's introduction twenty years later. 

Papa New Guinea is a nation in which most of its inhabitants live in poverty without any running water or electricity, and labor rigorously in subsistence farming as their main trade. In this film, one will notice how surfing has had an impact on gender roles, hierarchy, and the locals' economic status, to name a few. Viewers have the opportunity to observe how a local surf competition may, or may not, dramatically change the lives of four surfers by providing them the chance to leave PNG. From an anthropologist's point of view, one will find this film intriguing in watching the shapes and perspectives being changed through the art, sport, and culture of surfing. Globalization and surfing all encapsulated into ninety-five solid capturing minutes. 

To avoid spoiling the documentary, enjoy this trailer: 

To learn more about Splinters and view it in its entirety, click here: 

itunes.apple.com/us/movie/splinters/id496625637

facebook.com/splintersmovie

splintersmovie.com

splintersmovie.tumblr.com

- Bobby Poort 

Volcom Fiji Pro Opening Ceremony

The ASP World Tour travels all over, taking professional surfers from various parts of the globe to surf some of the best waves on earth.  With each stop on tour the surfers find themselves in new cultures and part of the tradition of ASP tour, is to acknowledge and participate in many of those cultural rituals and traditions from each country they visit to show their love and respect for the people that are hosting them. As the tour has recently landed this week in Fiji, the boys are all participating in a Kava ceremony to get things started.  

Here are some photos from the ceremony.

Mick Fanning and Travis Logie enjoying this unique moment

The boys from the ASP help the global world of surfing localize with each culture that they come in contact with including, Fiji, Hawaii, France, Brazil or Indonesia, they take the time to understand and appreciate at least a small part of the traditional culture. Not that these surfers will understand the Fijian culture because of this ceremony but it will help them to understand one another and will bond these two worlds through a common ceremony.  As a professional surfer, they are transnational athletes  not staying long in one place or another soaking in the best parts of each culture and experiencing the worlds finest waves at the same time.  The transnational surfer lifestyle doesn't seem so bad.

Click here for the rest of the photos of the opening ceremony, Kava Ceremony of the Volcom Pro Fiji

Countering the Global World, "Drifting"

In the film, "Drifter" Rob Machado leaves the hustle of the mainstream professional surfer life behind and sets out on a soul searching journey around indonesia.  Rob works to counter the pressures of the globalized world and seeks for a simpler lifestyle, one that is just him and his surfboard.  Rob finds himself in the outskirts of an indonesian village by himself, no computer, cell phone, no way to communicate with the ones he loves.  He ends up realizing that it is difficult, merely impossible to escape the global world that we live in.  Rob in one of his critical moments in his little tent on the beach in indonesia, realizes that this is our world today and we are just enjoying the ride.  

Globalization is a part of the world we live in today, even though Rob was trying to escape that world, he cannot.  He is still feeling the effects of globalization, the board that he is riding is shaped in California, the bag he is carrying is from china, his clothes are from all over the world.  Even the motorcycle that breaks down on the muddy trail in indonesia is from Japan, globalization is here, and it is hard to shake it.