A lesson in surf travel

ChatGPT summary: The article discusses the changing demographics of surfers and the attitudes of traveling surfers towards locals in popular surf destinations. The author notes that it has become more common to see beginner surfers being guided by local surf schools into lineups that were once reserved for experienced surfers. The author highlights the complaints of traveling surfers who feel frustrated by the presence of inexperienced surfers in their favorite surf spots. They also criticize the attitude of some surf travelers who consider locals who have taken up surfing to be interlopers. The author mentions the ethnocentric nature of surf travel, where surfers from developed nations have historically "discovered" and named surf spots without considering the impact on the indigenous population. The article concludes by questioning the right of traveling surfers to deny locals access to waves and emphasizes the value of sharing the stoke of surfing with visitors while supporting local communities. FULL STORY from The Inertia