Young surfers finding their wave: telling the tale of enskilment in surf places

ABSTRACT

This paper seeks to contribute to the growing body of literature focused on the recreational activity of surfing. Investigations into how young people learn to surf are rare, particularly those that focus on the pedagogical aspects involved in learning the practical ‘know-how’ required to surf in particular places and under specific environmental conditions (tide, wind, swell, currents, terrain). How do young people learn where and when a break will be worth a surf? When to duck dive under a broken wave or when to paddle further out? Recent research suggests that a process of enskilment, a form of knowledgeable practice, may provide pedagogical insights into how young people are developing the practical know-how to be able to surf skilfully and safely in particular places. This research used narrative methodology as an alternative way to investigate and represent these complex (and often tacit) aspects of a human learning experience, and findings are presented in the form of a set of short stories. This paper draws from that research to provide important insights into the phenomenon of how young people learn to surf with the intention of improving formal coastal experiences such as those in the leisure and education fields.

KEYWORDS:

• Enskilment
• narrative methodology
• outdoor education
• story
• surf
• surf-places

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive feedback in helping to strengthen the paper by addressing the gaps of an earlier draft.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alex Prins

Alex Prins is a Lecturer in Sport, Physical and Outdoor Education at Federation University Australia. His research interests are in the areas of enskilment, phenomenology, pedagogy, and coastal places.

Brian Wattchow

Brian Wattchow is a Senior Lecturer in Sport, Physical and Outdoor Education at Federation University Australia. He has published extensively on the themes of place, pedagogy and culture.