Gidget, Miki Dora and the Creation of the Surfing ‘Lifestyle’

Travel Blog  •  Eva Holland  •  06.06.08 | 11:51 AM ET

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Photo by rappensuncle via Flickr (Creative Commons)

n the latest issue of The Believer, Peter Lunenfeld chronicles surfing’s meteoric rise from SoCal subculture to global brand. “The thing to remember is that, since 1957, surfing as something you buy has overshadowed surfing as something you do,” he writes. “I would hazard that no other activity has ever generated as many products among people who neither know how to do it, nor follow those who do.” The essay touches on topics ranging from Gidget to Freud to Malibu Barbie, and uncovers the unlikely role of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in propelling the sport to pop culture dominance.

Of course, there’s one thing Lunenfeld doesn’t mention: that nearly every landlocked kid who’s ever shelled out for a pair of board shorts is really wishing they could purchase a one-way ticket to Los Angeles—or anywhere else with tasty waves. Nearly as dominant as “surfing as something you buy” is “surfing as someplace you go”—so along with Quiksilver and Billabong, California Tourism can thank the Austro-Hungarians, too.

 

Tags: Outdoors, Sports, North America, United States, California, News and Briefs

Eva Holland is co-editor of World Hum. She is a former associate editor at Up Here and Up Here Business magazines, and a contributor to Vela. She's based in Canada's Yukon territory.


2 Comments for Gidget, Miki Dora and the Creation of the Surfing ‘Lifestyle’

David Rensin 06.06.08 | 2:37 PM ET

I’m thrilled to see that The Believer has raised its voice about the pervasive influence of the surfing subculture ... especially as something you buy as opposed to do ... As for
the influence of the Austro-Hungarian empire, I suggest my new book:
ALL FOR A FEW PERFECT WAVES: The Audacious Life and Legend of Rebel Surfer Miki Dora (April 2008) ....The Hungarian-born Dora is easily the most influential, iconic, enigmatic, and charismatic to ever ride a board, and outspoken from the outset about the dangers of buying instead of doing.

Jim Benning 06.06.08 | 2:43 PM ET

Good point, David. By the way, I caught your interview with Patt Morrison on LA radio. Good stuff. For anyone interested:

http://www.scpr.org/programs/pattmorrison/listings/2008/05/pattmorrison_20080526.shtml

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