Surfing and Contemporary China

Evers, C

Surfing and Contemporary China

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Clifton Evers ORCiD

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Abstract

This chapter is the first to explore surfing and China as it pertains to the intersection of gender, class, tourism, environment, surfing's culture industry, and consumption. This involves scrutinising media and industry interests that legitimise and authorise a 'manufactured stoke' that turns a blind eye to what is happening unless it suits their commercial agenda. the chapter brings into the discussion of surfing in China contemporary social-cultural-political-economic processes to contextualize who benefits (or not), what problems are emerging and how they are being dealt with, and what subjectivities are coming about or being blocked. A key finding is that the 'manufactured stoke' narrative of surfing's culture industry is hiding complex global and local negotiations taking place. The chapter argues for better contextualising Chinese surfing to appreciate and understand what is going on beyond the commercial hype and spin.