I went to a very interesting night at the Surf Museum last night.

It was a tongue in cheek debate with the old question; Is Surfing a sport or an Art?

Speakers such as Tim Baker, Stuart Darcy, Baron Von Weirdo, Bruce Lee, Dave Prodan (ASP Media Manager) and Jack Carrol the guy who runs the Uni surfing course.

They had good arguments for either side.


What do you think? What are your reasons?



P.S I was going to post this in that 'other' room but it has a pretty good population of people that you might not term 'surfers' to understand what I am asking......

It's a sport, art, lifestyle,religion,pastime or what ever you want it to be.

In its most elementary form it is a sport. What I mean is the mechanics of paddling,catching waves etc. Their are those who have an indefinable quality to advance to an art form, the like of tudor,slater and others.

A sport is by definition competitive, it produces a recordable result.

Unless you are in a contest surfing produces nothing other than self pleasure and possibly entertainment for those watching.

I reckon it's more of an performance art, more related to dancing, playing music and performing. If you play music at all you'd recognise that having a jam with a group of people is much more comparable in the emotions you feel to surfing than playing tennis.

Pro surfers are more like pro musicians or performers.

I reckon it depends on your own opinion, for some it's competitive and for some it's an art form and for some people it's just probably neither just fun.

I think I saw an interview with Nat young and he said he regreted when asked the first time is it a sport or art, he replied sport and always regretted it, actually I think he talks about it in his biography.

I think it's both compeditive or expression

Put my name down for Art.

Surfing is an emotion - possibly most akin to "love". There is nothing else you can do in life that gives you the highs and lows/the euphoria/the lust/the pain/the intoxication/the heartache/the fear/the challenge/ and the complete soul enriching pleasure that surfing and true love can give you

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billboard said...

Surfing is an emotion - possibly most akin to "love". There is nothing else you can do in life that gives you the highs and lows/the euphoria/the lust/the pain/the intoxication/the heartache/the fear/the challenge/ and the complete soul enriching pleasure that surfing and true love can give you

You're not getting a root, if that's what you're after

Bloody part time sweepers will try anything

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billboard said...

Surfing is an emotion - possibly most akin to "love". There is nothing else you can do in life that gives you the highs and lows/the euphoria/the lust/the pain/the intoxication/the heartache/the fear/the challenge/ and the complete soul enriching pleasure that surfing and true love can give you

You mean Tennis, Football, soccer etc don't do this for you?

Sorry guys, must remember not to be totally open and honest in future

However - that's the way I feel about it because in the last coupla years I have experienced the absolute highs and lows of both surfing/love and, well - both are a very personal journey and you did ask.

Its a hobbie,sport and art form.

Bill you know I'll always love you no matter

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billboard said...

Sorry guys, must remember not to be totally open and honest in future

However - that's the way I feel about it because in the last coupla years I have experienced the absolute highs and lows of both surfing/love and, well - both are a very personal journey and you did ask.

What are you sorry about?

I agree with you mate, if you were talking to me that is.

You don't see people basing their whole lives around the conditions of the grass at the local tennis court do you?

You do see them making strange moves for women and also to live near, be aware of and drop most things when the waves suit them but eh?

i look at surfing as a art. yet you have gymnastics in the olympics,why? because it is full off skill,athleticism an d amazing strength, coordination and courage. BUT i believe if gymnastics is in the olympics why not skateboarding? they shouldnt be imo. i think when it comes to people trying to judge the creativity and style side off any sport there really can not be a clear and true winner. ie 100m sprints,you race a 100m and the first one wins. all sports that contain a artistic/creative side to be judged on can never be 100% correct

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CMC said...

billboard said...

Sorry guys, must remember not to be totally open and honest in future

However - that's the way I feel about it because in the last coupla years I have experienced the absolute highs and lows of both surfing/love and, well - both are a very personal journey and you did ask.

What are you sorry about?

I agree with you mate, if you were talking to me that is.

You don't see people basing their whole lives around the conditions of the grass at the local tennis court do you?

You do see them making strange moves for women and also to live near, be aware of and drop most things when the waves suit them but eh?

All good chris - I kinda over reacted to ob's comment I suppose and was being a bit touchy about having posted something I felt kinda strongly about. I should know by now that its not smart to expose yourself on here cos somebody is gunna take the piss (usually with good intentions) and I don't normally take things to heart - but I had my guard down this time

Love you Billboard remember that

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62mac said...

Love you Billboard remember that

Pssoff mac - remember that

Oh - do me a favour mac - If you really love me, put purple on the buddhas this week please - I am so sick of red and green.

f#ck art, lets surf

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laceys lane said...

f#ck art, lets surf

yes

Hangin 10 thats art

Combination Sport , Art & woman

Sport for those who are smokin' good .....
Art for the classy smooth movers .....

Woman - when you're off you're off and you aint gettin' any or in my case you surf like a BEE EYE TEE CEE HACH

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billboard said...

62mac said...

Love you Billboard remember that

Pssoff mac - remember that

Oh - do me a favour mac - If you really love me, put purple on the buddhas this week please - I am so sick of red and green.

haha so many people comment on the buddhas out the front,white this week which looks sh-t imo,look next week,love the green and blue as well.

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laceys lane said...

f#ck art, lets surf

yes rested today after 7 hours over two days back tomorrow and its looking good

what the hell are you two rabbiting on about, are you sure you haven't been smoking buddha!!!!!

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laceys lane said...

what the hell are you two rabbiting on about, are you sure you haven't been smoking buddha!!!!!

haha i think you're onto something Lacey

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62mac said...

billboard said...

62mac said...

Love you Billboard remember that

Pssoff mac - remember that

Oh - do me a favour mac - If you really love me, put purple on the buddhas this week please - I am so sick of red and green.

haha so many people comment on the buddhas out the front,white this week which looks sh-t imo,look next week,love the green and blue as well.

red and white ones will be better. im not in hawaii, yet right near me is some maui hungry for waves

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obct said...

Put my name down for Art.

Put my name down for Bunker Sprekles Art !

In true Darryl Kerrigan style " Its everything its, its the VIBE "
Since no 2 waves are the same and it's not in the olympics, put me down for Art

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billboard said...

Surfing is an emotion - possibly most akin to "love". There is nothing else you can do in life that gives you the highs and lows/the euphoria/the lust/the pain/the intoxication/the heartache/the fear/the challenge/ and the complete soul enriching pleasure that surfing and true love can give you

Very deep, perceptive and true. Well said Bill.

Its one of the few passions left in modern life.

Deano

I know one thing surfing's a great drug after every surf for 39 years i've been hi