After following surf competitions for a number of years, watching the pros take on some of the most amazing waves, in some of the most beautiful, far-away lands, I have built up my Must-Visit Travel List to include many islands I can’t even pronounce correctly.
There is one island in particular that has sparked my attention. From it’s stunning coastal landscape and breathtaking skyline, to its jagged, untarnished rocky protrusions, judging and paying consequence to any foreboding surfer who dares to ride her heaving, yet powerful, perfectly crafted peaks.
This island I speak of has, however, undertaken quite a bit of development in recent years. Scholars maintain there has been a few major occurrences directly contributing to the shocking change in the local aesthetics and lifestyles.
The effects of ’outing’ these once-secret surf spots has been well document in surfing literature over the years.
From the 70′s exploration of the Indonesian Archipelago and consequential exploitation of these areas by Surf Magazines, to the recent Rip Curl Search contests in Mexico. It seems that local communities (especially the local surfing communities) cop the raw end of the weiner after hosting such events.
It’s been said before; the dump and burn attitude, the subsequent hordes of ’surf tourists’ that arrive, disrespect the environment, the people and the ocean.
Well I’m not here to repeat those statements… I’m here to investigate! I’m here for action!
So, during my next trip (I leave 6 days from the post date of this article) I will investigate, practice real journalism, dig, prod, and pry my way into the heart of the issues affecting this helpless island community at the hands of the evil surf corporations.
I aim to, once and for-all, figure out if the Quiksilver Pro New York contest, held in 2011, is the cause for the substantial commercial development on the Island of Manhattan.
Wish me luck in my journey, I have a feeling I will uncover secrets a common surfer should never know.
