I'm a white woman who loves to surf. I went to the beach yesterday with four other women, one little girl, and one man. All the females surfed. Three of us are white, one of us is mixed-race, one is black, and the little girl, who we were teaching, is mostly black. We became really aware of people staring at us eventually. We heard another little girl tell an older boy, "See, girls *can* surf," and other women tell each other, "I've never seen black people surf before." The guy, who hung back on shore, told us he'd heard other comments, too. And we became aware that the only other surfers were white males.
We're not going to stop because of this, but it was a sour note in a mostly good day, and we were glad we all went in a group instead of going alone.
Is anyone else here a surfer who's not a white man? And would you really think anything of it to see non-white and/or female surfers?!
2006-09-25 07:40:24 · 17 answers · asked by GreenEyedLilo 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I'm glad to have helped show that girl that she could surf if she wanted. And no, nobody was *really* rude or hateful, but we were feeling very self-conscious at the end of the day, and it felt like just such an unnecessary thing to think about. We were only wanting to have fun, not to be looked at or prove some kind of point or whatever. The only thing we went in worrying about was our highlights.
2006-09-25 07:52:36 · update #1
It wasn't *anybody's* first day out, except the five-year-old's!
2006-09-25 08:04:30 · update #2
If you've ever been to the Caribbean, which is where i am from, Barbados for example, you'd see that a lot of young black/ mixed guys and girls surf too. i've seen everyone surfing and hanging out waiting for the waves as one. no worries whatsoever! The ocean is for everyone! Anyone can break his / her neck on a surfboard! the sea has no bias, it'll take anyone. LOL
2006-09-25 07:52:25 · answer #1 · answered by lulu 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Woman; if you and your group of friends stop surfing because of insults, or stereotype images; I would be very disappointed. My high school was a two miles from the beach. We would go all the time for lunch, after school and any other time permitted. One guy at the time was a surfer and I look back on him with pride because he didn't let others decide his hobbies or fate. Roland was his name and he was African American and very good at suffering. Carry on, and surf your butt off! Perhaps with more exposure, people's opinions will change with someone such as yourself showing courage.
2006-09-25 14:47:44 · answer #2 · answered by Swordfish 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some people can really be narrow minded. By all means don´t stop surfing.
You can go to Costa Rica and take surfing lessons. Many of the best surfers there are black. Check out this web site, specially the part about the instructors and their profile.
www.wavescr.com
2006-09-25 14:45:16 · answer #3 · answered by gretaotto 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
That's excellent. Not that you guys felt self-conscious or anything, but because by doing what you were doing you educated some people who had narrow stereotypes based upon a lack of exposure to others. It's ignorance, not stupidity. Hopefully they are a bit closer to understanding that we are all mostly the same, regardless of the amount of melanin in our skin.
2006-09-25 14:58:25 · answer #4 · answered by Mark 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Part is just that few have seen a black person surf, so it may not be a racist comment, but it is certainly thoughtless.
Surfing is surfing. Do you have a board, can you hang ten, ho-daddie? Hit the waves, dude!
2006-09-25 14:59:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have seen many women and people other than caucasians surfing. You shouldn't let it bother you that people are so closed minded when it comes to some things. If it is something you like to do then just do it.
2006-09-25 14:50:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its just not common. Hey, its gotta start somewhere. My boyfriend NEVER had a black friend until last year and now he's totally with me. The more you are out there, the less this will happen. Don't let it bug you, and "hang 10".
2006-09-25 15:32:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is unusual to see black men surfing. It's even more unusual to see black women surfing. Of course they were looking.
Obviously, that was your first day out.
2006-09-25 15:00:51 · answer #8 · answered by limendoz 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Then you are too sensetive - the other individuals were taking note of something that you pointed out is indeed true....so what if they noticed you were the minoirty. They did not yell at you, say anything rude or bother you in any way.
Take the cip off your shoulder and enjoy your day at the beach next time.
2006-09-25 14:43:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
personaly I will never again stick my pinky in any water that contains things that can eat me in one bite... but at my age I do apreciant the "girls" adding some beauty to the beach... dont let the sharks, on or off the beach, have the victory...
2006-09-25 14:47:07 · answer #10 · answered by IdahoMike 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋