Surf Degree

[BoMan]

You can actually study surfing for a degree.
https://www.surfer.com/blogs/culture/the-surf-specific-college-degree/

The question is would you want to?

Would you pay tuition to study surf culture, history, marketing, fitness, or environmental studies to prepare for a career in the surfboard industry, surf apparel, surf media, coaching, or tourism?

[kookRachelle]

No. No I would not.

[kookRachelle]

"The most well-known degree program is Plymouth University’s Surf Science and Technology BSc. The program was founded at Plymouth’s Cornwall campus in 1999 and has since handed out hundreds of degrees."

The most well-known degree program has handed out "hundreds" of degrees in 14 years (article written in 2013). Not thousands. Hundreds.

[waikikikichan]

1) Who is qualified to give out the surf degree ?
2) There's so many How-To videos on Youtube, yet soo many newbies learning the wrong improper way. Would a degree and theories make for a better learner in the surf ?
3) There's a difference between Knowledge and Wisdom. Facts and Numbers VS. school of hard knocks. You can read and learn everything about Duck Diving in the classroom, but the first time you try it ..................
4) Have you ever read the discussions on SWAYLOCKS ? Those are the people who would be teaching and getting that surf degree.
5) Will the degree finally tell us what the proper Volume is ? Why FISH boards are good for beginners ? What a Hatchet fin really is ?

[BoMan]

No. No I would not.

How about a degree in Surf Injuries?

[BoMan]

Here’s the Plymouth University program. I love the first module which screams – “if you want a job you’re on your own kid!”

Surf Science and Technology
Year 1
• Core modules
o CORC1013CPersonal and Employability Skills Development
o CORN123Culture of Surf and Sport
o CORN124Physical and Geographical Influences on Surfing
o CORN138Surf Practice
o CORN139Media and Events
o CORN146Production Methods and Materials
o CORN158Scientific Techniques

• Final year
• Core modules
o CORN223Ecology and Management of the Coastal Environment
o CORN242Sociological and Psychological Perspectives of Surfing
o CORN243Scientific Aspects of Health, Fitness and Nutrition in Sport
o CORN251Application of Computer Aided Design in the Surf Industry
o CORN269Surf Business
o NQS219Individual Research Project

https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/fdsc-surf-science-and-technology

[dtc]

If you think that surfing and surf tourism is a thing, and you think it has some unique aspects (ie isnt the same as doing winery tours or castle tours or whatever), then I cant see any reason why you shouldnt study it (you can also do a degree in golf management for example). Surf tourism is estimated at $50bn US per year.

But it does have other impacts - for example, there is a lot of interesting study being done on the consequences of surfing in less developed countries (see really interesting paper linked below). Of course that isnt necessary requiring a specific surfing degree, but it is something people need to take into account (CORN223). Firewire's emphasis on sustainable and low environmental impact has resonated with many (CORN146) while surfing as an industry (boards, wetsuits etc) is probably worth $15bn (CORN269), while the culture of surfing has, of course, created many books, films and research papers (CORN123) as well as media (CORN139)

Ok, sure its a niche industry, but as pointed out there are only a few hundred graduates. Do you need to study surfing specifically or can you study (say) economics and then focus on surfing - undoubtedly. Would I personally take that degree - no, its a recreational activity not a career. Do I think its likely to lead to employment - probably not really. But do I think its a worthwhile activity to be the subject of study - for sure.


https://www.oxcarre.ox.ac.uk/images/sto ... 016170.pdf

[BoMan]

Ok, sure its a niche industry, but as pointed out there are only a few hundred graduates. Do you need to study surfing specifically or can you study (say) economics and then focus on surfing - undoubtedly. Would I personally take that degree - no, its a recreational activity not a career. Do I think its likely to lead to employment - probably not really. But do I think its a worthwhile activity to be the subject of study - for sure.

I hate to see schools offering boutique degrees take advantage of gullible families and veterans.

Cannabis Cultivation
School: Oaksterdam University
Location: Oakland, Calif.
Tuition cost per semester: $800

Bowling Management
School: Vincennes University
Location: Vincennes, Ind.
Tuition cost per semester: In-state, $4,882. Out-of-state, $11,542

Comedy
School: Humber College
Location: Ontario, Canada
Tuition cost per semester: $5,725 for Canadian residents. $12,950 for international students

Puppetry
School: University of Connecticut
Location: Storrs, Conn.
Tuition cost per semester: In-state, $4,628. Out-of-state, $14,102

Nannying
School: Sullivan University
Location: Louisville, Ky.
Tuition cost for 12-month program: $9,100

Beatles Historian
School: Liverpool Hope University
Location: Liverpool, England
Tuition cost per semester: £4,800 for UK residents. £ 5,800 (or $8,900) for international students

and the worst!

Cinematic Arts (undergraduate)
University of Southern California
Tuition: $53,448
Fees*: $875
Room and board**: $14,886
Total***: $69,209

[Big H]

The comedy degree is laughable.......the cannabis cultivation at 800 a semester looks to be the bargain of the lot (LOL). Seriously though, in CA with the trend in ganja laws and proliferation of medical grade weed outlets and increasing demand, that might be the only legitimate degree in the bunch, though I’d rather attend school in Humboldt County rather than in an Oakland basement lit with gro lights.

[Big H]

Friends and family who have wasted time and money include degrees taken and actual career including myself.....they include degrees in Spanish (registered nurse specializing in international aid work in French speaking Africa), Philosophy (middle school math teacher), archaeology (real estate sales), animal behavioral studies (bar owner), art history (IT professional). Photography-journalism-literature-marine biology (Chef).

I sometimes wonder if guidance counselors ever get it right....to choose what you want to do for your life’s work at 18, 19 or 20 years old seems crazy and impossible in retrospect. Of those who went on to work in the field they actually studied in school I wonder how many feel trapped by their choices in later life, how many never really had a choice and just followed expectations vs how many made their own conscious decision at a young age, stuck to their chosen course of study then stayed in their field enjoying the career they made. My brother in law is a successful Ob-Gyn surgeon and loves his job, was sure from the age of 14 that being a doctor was his calling (specialization came later when talents were uncovered). So it happens.....I personally had no clue and went with the wind, winding up in my field through a series of events....once there I discovered I liked it and had a talent for it......would not have been able to see that coming 5 years prior.

[oldmansurfer]

Its just like marriage at that age. Kids might think they know what they want but most are clueless

[BoMan]

I personally had no clue and went with the wind, winding up in my field through a series of events....once there I discovered I liked it and had a talent for it......would not have been able to see that coming 5 years prior.

I had the same experience. I worked as a technician in the retail trade, moved into tech training with the same company and finally got a teaching credential. It's especially hard with the gig economy where the jobs of tomorrow haven't yet been invented. Who knew 5 years ago you could find work as a "virtual assistant, hubs provider, or upcounselor?"

[saltydog]

Took me forever to figure out what I wanted to do after switching majors multiple times and quitting school at some point. I wonder the so called mid-life crisis is often the result of making life decisions too young.

I wonder the surf degree program offers a work-study option... they must at least let the students surf, I hope?

[Big H]

I took an aptitude test that was given in high school to help kids decide their future direction presumably.....anyway, I got the results back and they recommended that I pursue sign painting..........sign painting, no kidding. It was like the guidance counsellor was giving me the middle finger. That was pretty much the extent of the guidance that I had since my parents, and I love them but they didn't really come through in this area. My mom told me as a teenager that she just wanted me to be happy.....not a lot of help when choosing a major. My father told me to do everything I wanted to do and chase every dream before I turned 25 since that would be about the time responsibility caught up with me. Interesting coming from a Mom with a Masters and a father with a Ph.D, Incidentally, both me and my sister dropped out of college and never got degrees, two colleges for my sister, three for me. Chased dreams we did.....

[oldmansurfer]

I didn't surf when I graduated from High school and had no intention of going to college then. Instead I got a job bought a car and moved out to live on my own and started surfing. After a while of living on my own I realized if I wanted to work doing something I enjoyed and get paid well for it I needed a college degree. If there was any inkling I could make money surfing then I might have gone in that direction

[RinkyDink]

My mom told me as a teenager that she just wanted me to be happy.....not a lot of help when choosing a major. My father told me to do everything I wanted to do and chase every dream before I turned 25 since that would be about the time responsibility caught up with me. Interesting coming from a Mom with a Masters and a father with a Ph.D, Incidentally, both me and my sister dropped out of college and never got degrees, two colleges for my sister, three for me. Chased dreams we did.....

I remember asking my mom what an undergraduate was when I was in high school. She said she didn't know. My father tried to get me hooked on Horatio Alger and Zig Ziglar books (never worked their magic on me). My parents fell short in many ways, but they were caring (for the most part) and never abusive so I consider myself blessed in that regard.