Surfing with Bourdieu! A Qualitative Analysis of the Fluid Power Relations among Surfers in the Line-Ups

This study demonstrates an example of the fluid power dynamics among surfers in the water. The data was collected via my ethnography of surfers at a surf spot in California, accompanied by a small number of in-depth interviews. Drawing upon Bourdieu’s theories, surfers use multiple capital to exercise their power to increase the likelihood of catching high-quality waves, which appear to be scarce commodities. Focusing on the experiences of...