Surfing Life: Surface, Substructure and the Commodification of the Sublime

A study of surfing and the experience of the sublime, The Surfing Life provides insights into other experience-based contemporary subcultures, such as motorcycling, snowboarding and climbing. Making use of extensive empirical material to support innovative theoretical approaches to social change and social formation, this book offers an analysis of the relationship between culture and the economy. With its ground breaking theoretical contributions, and its foundation in an ethnographic study of surfing culture in locations across Australia, this volume will appeal not only to those interested in the social and cultural phenomenon of surfing, but to anyone working in the field of the sociology of sport and leisure, cultural studies and subculture.