Media Release: University of Waikato, 20 January 2016
Raglan’s Surf Community Day
February 12th
Solscape, 611 Wainui Rd, Whaingaroa
Join leading researchers from the University of Waikato’s Sport and Leisure Department and international researchers at the ‘+Surf for Social Good’ Community Day in Raglan.
Hosted at Solscape on February 12, the day is open to members of the public who are interested in surfing culture.
There will be presentations from research located in China, South Africa, Mentawais, Hawaii, Australia, Aotearoa NZ, Papua New Guinea, USA, Canada, Norway, Japan, UK, Peru, and Spain, so it will be an exciting exchange of cultural spaces.
Organiser and Associate Professor Dr Belinda Wheaton says that the day will appeal to anyone interested in thinking critically about contemporary surfing culture and media, as well as for people who want to connect with other like minded people.“You definitely don’t need to be a pro-surfer! We will discuss issues like the surfing media, and how surfing can be made into a more inclusive community. Are surfers environmental warriors or are we inconsiderate consumers? What can be gained by networking and collective action? How is New Zealand’s surf culture and experience unique?“While there will be some really interesting people talking from the surfing industry and media from New Zealand and further afield, there will also be lots of opportunity to talk and to get involved in the discussion and debate,” Dr Wheaton says.
Some of the discussion that is likely to take place is prompted by the latest research and includes Krista Comer who has been working in this field for many years analysing gender, Clifton Evers, who has been investigating how globalisation is playing out in surfing, Isaiah Walker from Hawaii has researched his country’s rich surfing culture and Doug Booth looks into historical and cultural aspects of surfing and beach culture in New Zealand.
VENUE: Solscape, 611 Wainui Rd, Whaingaroa
For more information visit: www.facebook.com/EducationWaikato/events