ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on 'the local' in research about the development of ecological sensibilities through nature-based lifestyle sports, instead suggesting that such sensibilities are equally possible through physical cultural connections, knowledges and relationships. In discussing issues of localism in the context of potential of place-based pedagogies, sport and environmental sustainability, it is important to keep in mind the historical context of places and communities. In 2013, the Australian government identified participation in lifestyle sports such as surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding and rock climbing as a significant trend in Australia. The privilege so problematic in these social tensions also highlights the focus that existing research about sport and physical recreation has maintained on local surfing relationships to place as the most productive in terms of developing relationships of 'emplaced encounters and returns'. The continuing emphasis on surfing 'locals' ignores the many marginalised 'weekend' surfers living away from the coast.
