Burning the waves: surf localism at Patos beach (Galicia)

Abstract

On surfing beaches, a conflict known as localism often arises based on the territorialisation inscribed by certain surfers upon the coastal space. This results in violent actions based on a sense of belonging which aim to preserve the privilege of surfing the waves of a particular spot. In the present article, we ethnographically approach localism in surfing through a case study of Patos beach (Galicia). We trace conflicts and analyze power relations between two groups of surfers: locals and commoners. We conclude that localism operates both as a process of domination (plagued by representational games) and as resistance, presenting itself as a mechanism erected by the surfing community for theconservation and regulation of the environment. Faced with the increasing popularity and globalization of surfing, dominated by overcrowding or massification of beaches, localism reveals an informal strategy of wave distribution.

Keywords:
Localism; Surfing; Galicia; Ethnography; Power relations