1. SOCIAL VALUE OF WAVES
T.AL AZZAWI
Professeur agrégé
Master of Sociologie
Consultant for EUROSIMA
Independent searcher
Andy DAVIS
Andy DAVIS

2. Fontain La Corugna, SPAIN
The Internet source comment: « surf statues in La
Coruna, why? it's not obvious »

3. The iconic surfer, Steamer Lane,
California
Surfer statue
in California:
it seems to be
obvious: why?

4. PLAN
- INTRODUCTION
- 1. Surfriding: different kind of surfers, and
different perceptions of the spots
- 2. Waves in local political strategies.
- 3. Mechanism of distinction of a spot.
- 4. Different actors and tensions around
patrimonialisation.
CONCLUSION.

5. INTRODUCTION: the concept of
heritage
The
A local,
- l'engagement interdisciplinaire du concept
intelligentsia
national or
(experts,teac
- appliqué hers, champ sportif: posePoliticians,
Historians, au world-wide la question
Archeolgistslégitimité population institutions
de la journalists)
Maecenas,
Boons, MATERIAL AND private patrons
works of IMMATERIAL
art, HERITAGE
richness Patrimonialisation
es of the process:
Humanit « Distinction» Actions:
y Well estabished as a part Conservation
of the common Culture Restoration
that we must forward to Touristical
new generations management

6. The last french sociological
inquiries
- Colloque in PAU(FRANCE) in september
2011 about the patrimonialisation
process of natural spaces
- Main topics:
The diversity of heritages
The social value of natural spaces
The heritage value and the institutions

7. The patrimonialisation process
« The patrimonialisation can be definite as appropriation
processes developped by several actors or social
groups . They increase some objects values
(remembrance, aesthetics, singularity) permitting these
objects to conqueer the quality of heritage.(...)
Is it an heritage?
Blockhaus remaining of second world war
(Charente maritime, FRANCE)

8. Evolution of the concept
The patrimonialisation process has been related with very recent
objects. Now the limits between past and present are low. The
new heritage elements are more and more varying:
- nature
- monuments
-vernacular
- landscape
- local culture
Saint palais sur mer beach
(Charente Maritime, FRANCE)

9. Unknown touristical landscapes
Gallician beach (SPAIN)

10. Different sociological methods
- Interactionnism (E.GOFFMAN, Chicago
School)
- Structuralism (C.LEVI STRAUSS)
- Functionnalism (B.MALINOWSKY)
- Déterminism (P.BOURDIEU,
P.CHAMPAGNE)

11. Heritage: a definition
- Can be considered by a human
community a cultural object whose
values are linked in the past and the
present. It concerns concrete elements
or practices that we want to preserve
and transmit.

12. The process of
patrimonialisation applied to
surfriding (E.AMOUGOU,2011)
- The discover (P.VIERTEL)
- The certification ( French
Fédération1964, sport denomination)
- The geographical
roots(Hawaï,Polynesy... and else)
- The mediatisation(magazines,books)
- Celebration (big events, Surf Fesivals)
- Transmission(schools and clubs)

13. THE DEFINITIONS OF SURFRIDING
• From a fashion sport practice to several surf
practices.
13

14. SURFRIDING AS A RESEARCH
Sport
OBJECT
institutions Medias
An outdoor
A federal sport activity
(J.DEFRANCE, A boardcross
(C.POCIELLO) actvity
P.PARLEBAS)
(EUROSIMA)
SURFRIDING MEANS A glamorous
An action sport sport
(D.LEBRETON,
A.LORET,
A.STRILER) Economy
A beach activity, with a
A free and rebel touristical value
activity (A.S.SAYEUX) (C.GUIBERT) An inspiration
ARTS
POLITIC 14

15. 1 The surfers in France
- 1.A. The surf among other sports
France.
- 1.B. Different surfriding styles.
-1.C. The spots: economical and conflicts
ressources.

16. The surf among the other sports
- 43rd rank in France (0,5%) IPSOS 2007
and around 8000 competitors
- Windsurfing at the 41th rank
- Skate board at the 35th rank
- Climbing at the 30th rank
- Kite surf at the 47th rank

17. Sport practice in Europe( Source : European
)
Observatoire of Sport Employment / 2005
1 Finland 12 %
2 Sueden 22,2 %
3 Danemark34 %
4 Irland 16,3 %
5 Nethelands 29,5 %
6 United Kingdom 15 %
7 France 25 %

18. The social space theory
(P.BOURDIEU)
- For professions and political opinions
- For lifestyles and ludic activities
- Also applied to all the Cultural studies

19. Social space (P.BOURDIEU1979)
High schoolProfessors, Economical
teachers, ingeneers
capital + Chairman
Doctors, lawyer
Children teachers Industry manager
Private sector manager
journalist ingenieers
Public sector Tradesman
manager
Culture business employees Medical and social service cultural capital
Cultural Assistant less)
craftsman, art gallerists
capital + manager,secretary
Trade Farmers
Department
employees
or office
employees Qualified Little traders
worker
Specialized worker
Journeyman,
jobless
economical capital agricultural worker
less 19

20. P.BOURDIEU's postulates
- There is a correlation between
professionnal space and cultural practice
space
- The upper classes dictate the « good »
tastes and the norms.
20

21. What's surfriding?
- a spiritual, cultual practice
- a recreation
- a sport
The Bishop Museum
21

22. THE SURFRIDING SPACE (AL AZZAWI 2010)
Ecologisation Motorisation
No fin board, economical Tow in in different size
woodboards, expert Hawaïan, stand waves
bodysurf up and canoe capital +
Retro Particular teacher,
surfboards,
unleash riding
6'0 trifinshortboard
private surfschools
cultural longboards Technologisation Shortboard intermédiaire de loisir
Bodyboard : a good level
capital + Learning in a FFS club with a quality morey cultural
THE SURFS capital less
Minimalibu de type « bic
Low cost Bodyboard with flipper
Learning thanks to friends,
family, associations Bodyboard flipperless
BODYSURF cloth to the beach
Self learning
Just the body to practice
22

23. The involvment degrees of
surfers
1: the surf 2: surfing 3: surfing 4: surfing
absolute as a as a sport is a
lifestyle passion ponctual
beach
activity
Sessions More than Between 150 Between 50 From 12 to 50
frequency 250/year and 250 and 150
Choice of the No job or a A job cloth to No influence No influence
studies or the volonteer the beach or on the choice on the choice
job precariousne studies
ss concerning
sport/surf
Family Avoiding Couple with No influence No influence
involvment couple and concessions
childs
23

24. Different ways to practice surf
- The verbal definitions of surfing influence
the way to practice
- The level and the way to practice
determine the choice of a spot..
- The level, the fact to be local and the
elderness settle the place at the peac.
(cf.O.TREY1994, A.S.SAYEUX2009, AL
AZZAWI 2010).

25. Practicing philosophies
(C.POCIELLO 1995)
Reading « surf
Read VSD mag in
session » and
june « spécial Mini malibu, BIC, bodyboard
specialzed websites
Tourists glisse »
Punctual practice
Little and
big wave,
Little easy
Slowness, waves,
curly
waves,
hot water,
hésitation summer
technical Competitors
spots
season
only
Hawaïan
traditionnal Speed,
watersports energy
Various boards, retro
shapes
Will to practice every
All kind of wave day Direct relation with
Reading « surfer's a shaper,
journal » or
Main important quiver
« Desillusion » stream important, a
Purists Counter surf majority of
Aestetes, cult shortboards
of coolness culture
surf

26. Free surf on a secret spot (Charente Maritime,
FRANCE)

27. Surf culture/heritage
CULTURE +
material immaterial
SUP, funboards, kayaksurf...
Ability to teach surfing
Car: break or mini van
Ability to shape
Surfmovies DVD Knowledges about surf history
Magazines Ocean knowledge
Collection surftrips
Living place
Technical level
Surfboard
Style
CULTURE less

28. Surfmovies as a culture

29. The spots exploitation stakes
- When they are discovered
- After debates between surfers, federal
sport movment, politicians.
- After an economical evaluation( possible
big events, bankable image?).

30. Possible conflicts on a spot
Surfers VS surfers Surfers VS other
nautic Surfers VS
apparatus(cf. other beach
O.TREY 1994) users
Involve shoartboarders and:
- bodysurfers Concerns all the
-bodyboarders surfers and: Surfers and:
-kneeboarders
- mini malibu/eggs
- wave-ski - Lifeguards
-longboards - funboards - swimming tourists
-SUP - jet ski - mayoralty
- kite surf - French surfing
- (body boards) federation
- ASP, WQS, WCT
- polluting persons

31. 2 The waves in stake locally
Thèse of C.GUIBERT(2005, Nantes)
Original title: « The surf univers and the
political stategies in Aquitaine: surftowns
without surfers? »
Hossegor
(FRANCE)

32. Conclusions of C.GUIBERT
- A.The surf is a « malleable »concept for each social actor.
- B.In a lot of surftowns, the « purists » are not considered, in the
seaside appointment (parking,access, showers,etc.) .
- C.The surfer's welcome can be different, and is adapted to the
identity of the spot, to his wave value.
- D.We observ huge differences between the welcom of pro surf,
surfschools and free surf..

33. Exemple of two french towns
ANGLET BIARRITZ
Modern town
Historical beach town
Recent beach and Architecture from the french Empire
surftown Côte des Basques
A lot of schools and clubs longboard
Surf as a tradition
Mediatisation of the 60's
The surf as a
competition sport Biarritz surf festival
shortboard Surf as an heritage
Surf as education
for young childs

34. Limits to these conclusions
- They are based on a 2000-2005 survey , only in the south of the
french atlantic coast.
- The french massification of surfing generates surfers who have
access to institutions and politics more and more.
- The growth of some associations change the strategies of the
international brands.

35. The 5 social values of a spot
- 1. Sportive, recreation site, for everybody, local or not (heritage?).
- 2.Place for the transmission of surf techniques, and surf educationnal
values (modesty,effort, respect of the nature, priority rules).
- 3.Place where touristical activities and appointment can be developped
(the image becomes bankable in touristical and communication
strategies).
- 4.Possibility to host pro-level surfers and events (again bankable image).
- 5.Conflicts place between surfers and beach users.

36. The wave value
- Beachtowns lord mayors: if the wave attracts wealthy tourists,
consumers, big events.
- The major brands: frequency, shape of the curl, infrastructures to
host a competition.
- Surfers (beginners): easyness,accessibility, proximity of the
surfschools.
- Purists surfers : perfect wave shape, secret spot, low
frequentation.
- Competitors: idem except the frequentation.

37. An unknown example
La Bouverie
(Charente
maritime,
FRANCE)

38. A decisive event
-

39. The overcrowded Pontaillac

40. 3. The mechanism of legitimation
and distinction
Mechanism Distinction of a Legitimation
wave
items - frequency of - history
the swell - international
-shape of the competition
wave -mediatisation
-speed of (ex: Belharra)
breaking - proximity of
- accessibility. the surfers
- temperature with the
of the water economical
and political
power.
- surfguide
good fame
-surfbooks
good fame

41. The distinction theory
( P.BOURDIEU,1979)
- Created after a sociological survey (1979)
- Applied to the surf sphere (Al azzawi
2010)
- Consequences: market sementation
(cf.Sport Guide august 2011).

42. 4. The waves : a recognition in stake
4.A.Low recognition: 1887, 1906,1930: «
natural monument »..
4.B. The tensions between differents
heritage zonage actors .
4.C. Recognition obstacles

43. AN EXAMPLE IN SWEDEN
Demonstration in march 2008 for Mölle wave

44. 4.A. A «€NATURAL€»monument
-The wave/spot is a natural monument
means: « landscape, or part of the
territory as perceived by the population,
whose characteristic results from natural
factors or/and human interrelations ».

45. 4.B. The initial tensions
between several social actors
industries
Departments,
regions Competitor Purists Surfers
Surfers
development conservation
Major brands
and their
beach-events Ecological
associations
Tourists Surfers
Fédérations Natural heritage
sportives defenders

46. 4.B. The multiplication of the
tensions
?
Mediatical use
Political use
Concerted
management
DEVELOPMENT CONSERVATION
touristical
commercial exploitation
exploitation Educative use

47. 4.C. Recognition: step by step...
- a)First struggle experiences (France : 1990's).
- b)Structuration as associations, boards constitution; international
exchanges
- c)Ecological survey, constitution of a capital of scientifical knowledges..
- d)Citizen concertations, links with the political power.
- e)Mediatical struggle, image war (cf.SFE's manager CV).
- f)Field of enquiry: balance between classical and static heritage, and
sociallinkfull heritage (who allows projects and dynamics).

48. CONCLUSIONS:obstacles for
clear strategical arguments
- What's surf inside the global Culture? A subculture? A counterculture? A
youthculture? Is it easy to accord him UNESCO recognition? Who are the
other pretenders in2011?
- Why oceanic landscapes are legitimate, lawfull?
- Patrimonialisation : a complex process, including several actors, and and
strategical planification.Who's really influent?
- Tension between natural/cultural qualities of a site.
- The notion of Culture is relative (cf. Denis CUCHE 2010)

49. What's the good analysis speed?
...............

50. BIBLIOGRAPHY: books
- Surf Atlantique: les territoires de l'éphémère J.P.AUGUSTIN (1995)
- L'univers du surf et stratégies politiques en Aquitaine. C.GUIBERT (2006)
- Surfeurs, l'être au monde. A.S.SAYEUX (2008)
- Les surfs: d'un pratique à la mode à des modalités de pratique. T.AL AZZAWI(2010).
- L'image de la surfeuse T.AL AZZAWI (2012).
- Les cultures sportives C.POCIELLO (1995).
- Sciences sociales et patrimoine E.AMMOUGOU (2010).
- La notion de culture en sciences sociales D.CUCHE (2004).
- La distinction P.BOURDIEU (1979).
- Les règles de l'art P.BOURDIEU (1981).
- Sociologie de la culture Y.LAMY/M.BERRA (1991)
- Révolte consommée J.HEALTH/A.POTTER (2010)

51. BIBLIOGRAPHY: articles
- C.GUIBERT:
Hossegor : « le surf » ou « l'élégance » ? Une double identification territoriale, Annales de la Recherche
Urbaine, n° 100, « L'avancée en âge dans la ville », Juin 2006, p.89-96.
Politiques de communication et identifications territoriales différenciées. Les usages politiques des vagues et
de l'univers du surf par les municipalités de la côte Aquitaine. Téoros, Vol. 25-2, Québec. Eté 2006, p.62-
71.
Les usages politiques du snowboard dans les stations de montagne françaises : entre intérêt économique et
dédain culturel, Revue Européenne de Management du Sport, n° Voiron, PUS. Octobre 2006, p.31-
15,
44.
Le premier âge du surf en France : un sport socialement sélectif, Science et Motricité, n° vol. 200 7/2, de
61,
Boeck Université., Eté 2007, p.89-100.
Le surf au Maroc : les déterminants d'une ressource politique incertaine, Sciences Sociales et Sports, n°
1,
L'Harmattan. Septembre 2008, p.115-146.

52. THANK YOU!
T.AL AZZAWI
taha75@orange.fr
06 78 15 26 33