Spirit of Surfing

Spirit of Surfing is a movement started by surfer Peter Cuming in 1995. It's organised as the Spirit of Surfing Trust and promotes harmony among surfers and respect for the ocean, the land, and indigenous culture.

In October 1998 at Margaret River the group erected a "Tribal Law" plaque, explaining surfers' rules of right-of-way and respect.

In 2000 when Nat Young was seriously assaulted in a "surf rage" incident at Angourie he gave $12,000 he got for a television interview to the movement.

Through 2000 to 2002 at Bells Beach the group consulted with local surfing groups, aboriginal traditional owners and the local council to have erected stones reading "Respect the Ocean", "Respect the Land", "Respect each Other", as a local interpretation of the surfing spirit.

The group has deliberately not accepted industry logos or sponsorship on the basis that it would dilute their message.

References

* Spirit of Surfing information guide at Surf Coast Shire Council [http://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/spiritsurfing.htm?p9] .

* "Surf Rage", edited by Nat Young, Nymboida Press, 2000, ISBN 0-9585750-1-0

External links

* [http://www.hawaii.rr.com/leisure/reviews/neal_miyake/2003-10_turosurfing.htm Article by Neal Miyake, showing the Tribal Law plaque and text (just past half-way down)]