Book Review
Book increases awareness of violence in the ocean

Helping surfers to chill

By Brad Yates
Special to The Advertiser

"Surf Rage" is a serious look at aggression and violence in surfing, an attempt by former world surfing champion Nat Young "to have people stop and think about the way they behave in the water."

"SURF RAGE A Surfers’ Guide to Turning Negatives Into Positives," by Nat Young, Nymbodia Press, paper, $22.95.

Young was brutally attacked in March 2000 at his home break in Angourie, Australia. The injuries to his face required major reconstructive surgery. The injuries to his psyche forced him to write about the incident.

Young’s writing gave birth to the collaboration with 11 others in a work designed to educate surfers and the general public about the futility of violence. Ê

The text defines "surf rage" on an escalating scale from intimidation to assault, with the writers focused on documenting its existence and offering social and psychological explanations for its prevalence.

"Surf Rage" is sure to promote discussions among readers, whether surfers or not, increasing awareness for the naive, as well as serious surfer.

Young also wants to introduce surfers to something called "TRIBAL Law." This is a surfriders’ code of ethics, born in the surfing region of Margaret River, Australia. These laws are posted on a sign for all to see.

In telegraphic language ("furthest out, waiting longest"), the rules cover the sticky issue of who gets the wave and how to avoid collisions. And they end with two mantras: Respect the beach, the ocean and others. Give respect to gain respect.

Could you, as a surfer, follow these rules and subscribe to these mantras?

Young ends the book with a strong statement about his responsibility to surfing: "I have been the receiver and instigator of Surf Rage and I sincerely hope we can all do something about the violence." Ê

This may sound oversimplified, but Young is asking surfers to make personal growth a priority. He wants surfers to realize that they have a choice, that the negative energy that exists in the surfers’ world can be reframed into positive; there are techniques to assist with the management of anger and stress.

Lastly, he wants all surfers to embrace "the true spirit of surfing" and be committed to taking "a closer look at ourselves." In fact, those are the wishes and pleas that embrace the subject of rage in general - for everyone, not just surfers.

Young suggests that "surfers read the book and then pass it on to another surfer."

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