ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the future of surfing, emphasising surfing’s inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games and the expansion of artificial wave technology. The creation of perfect artificial waves stands to impact on the way that surfing is understood and how people engage with the activity. The chapter explores how this artificiality affects the foundational experience of oceanic surfing and what impact this may have on surfers’ understanding of nature and sustainability more broadly. The chapter identifies some of the opportunities and barriers for enhancing sustainability knowledge and engagement with those that use artificial waves. Drawing on first-hand experiences from users of wave pool facilities as well as wave pool developers, this chapter speculates on what artificial waves might mean for the future of surfing.
