Liquid ice surfers—the construction of surfer identities in Norway

Abstract

Surfing is getting increasingly popular in Norway as well as other countries that have a coastline with rideable waves. As surfing gains in popularity, however, the boundaries of the surfing subculture become increasingly guarded. Through ethnography and qualitative interviews, this study examines identity construction on an individual and group level among Norwegian surfers. The study reveals that successful integration in the subculture is dependent on identification with four fundamental forms of symbolic capital: skills, subcultural knowledge, commitment and local affiliation. First, the paper analyses how the individual surfers through a process of identity construction get accustomed to, and incorporate, these values. Second, the paper examines how out-groups are constructed against groups of surfers lacking these forms of symbolic capital.

Keywords:

• Surfing
• Identity
• Subcultures
• Symbolic capital

Notes

1. Snaking is a way of breaking the rules, where a surfer paddles past the queue system in the lineup.