So when people find out I surf..almost instantly they say. WOW I would never peg you as a surfer. The first thing that comes to most "non" surfers mind is the infamous or famous Spicoli. I guess this is the "typical" Surfer Stereotype. The long hair, ungroomed, stoner, not a care in the world, or a braincell to spare. OF course male..and the female stereotype.. GIDGET.. hahahahaha.Well in all honesty.. I know a lot of surfers and I only can think of one person who comes close to a Spicoli. Really no "Gidgets". I don't know maybe it is because I mostly surf with a bunch of middle aged women..haha! But some of these women can out surf peeps men and women 1/2 their age!
Any way...I don't know if there is a Surfer Stereotype any more really.
The other thing is I am of Caucasian persuasion..and I have a lot of English, German and Welsh in my gene pool so I am WHITE! I have strawberry blond hair and green eyes.. which = does not tan well. People are always saying you are always surfing why are you not tan. One of the few misconceptions about surfers, we are not all tan. WHY?? UMM well I surf in a full size 4/3 wetsuit, now with booties. and because of my fair skin,and skin cancer history, I slather any exposed areas with 50+ Sunscreen or Sunblock. Maybe if I lived in a warmer surf climate I would have a little more color, Not much with my heritage though.
I will say..I have changed a lot since I started surfing. I don't know if age has anything to do with it as well. BUT I am not as concerned about some things as before. Yet am more concerned about environmental issues and healthy lifestyle.
I have never been one for "fashion" I have always kind of had my own style. I am a very unique person and have been known to sport a few "different" looks. NOW I am a lot more casual. Even at work. I dress work appropriate and put on makeup. I should probably look a little more um "corporate" for my line of work I guess. But I wear my hair more naturally than before. Sometimes I flat iron it.. or curl it, if I feel like it.But usually I just blow dry it a bit and let my wavy hair fall where it may. I am not into designer anything. I would ooh and aaah over a few designers like Betsy Johnson, or LAMB..but that is about it. After all I am a girl I have a Little girly in me. Jewelry as I have said before. Don't care for the high end stuff I LOVE unique simple things.
My favorite things to wear now. Winter = old pair worn Levis handed down to me and from a thrift shop with a t-shirt & a Baja poncho.(closest thing to Spicoli) or a Sweat shirt,and my Sanuk sidewalk surfers. I think I am in that outfit more times per week than any thing else. As soon as I come home from work that is what I usually change into.My neighbors probably wonder if I have other outfits. Summer my bathing suit and wetsuit ;-)..OK my winter outfit of choice also..but in summer I like to sport my shorty and winter the 4/3. or when Out of the water. comfy shorts and a tank top and flip flops. Hair is always natural now. Although I do tend to (cough cough) cover up the gray.
Make up when needed. But not to be vein.. thank the good lord, I don't need it all the time I have been blessed with that! At least I think so. ;-)
OK so it is not that I have become Lazy since I started surfing. I just am more laid back and casual and want to be comfortable and concern myself with more important issues.
The other thing is.. seriously even though I don't really tan. I would try to lay out in my backyard and get a little color before being seen at the beach. AND have my toenails painted and always shaved legs.. NOW.. this maybe too much info.. I don't care. I care more about getting into the surf than if my legs are shaved...and as long as my toenails don't look gnarly and are trimmed( i mean i do have limits)who cares about being polished all the time.
Also I am so whatever about changing in and out of my wetsuit and wet bikini in the parking lot. I do have a towel wrapped around me sheesh!..but every now and then some one gets a bit of a peep show I am sure.Not that there is anything exciting about that at my age. IF someone gets a bit excited about seeing my white butt, you are welcome and I guess thank you. HA! But I will get fully undressed under a towel while having a conversation with a male surfer standing right next to me and not think twice..ASK me two years ago if I would consider that and I would blush and say Oh Hell no.
So I guess I have embraced the surfing culture. It just kind of happens. At least to me it did. NOW I am not saying I go out and just buy ROXY, Billabong, and other surf brands..to me that is kind of "labels" also..but I do have few things in my collection. After All I am at the beach and surf shops a lot..If I see something I like and can buy it I do. But not just because it is a "surf" brand.
Surfers come in different sizes, colors, ages, and shapes, and sex. Some have degrees, are Drs. Lawyers, Musicians, Cocktail servers, Models, Actors,Parents,Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles.
So what is the Surfer Stereotype now? I really can't answer that, but I consider myself a surfer, and am glad to be part of this Tribe.
PS!! No I have not been out surfing since the last post. My last couple days off, waves were either too big or surf was just down right bad. So I saved the gas and time. Now with the weather forcast..All I see is rain =( so i dont know when i will be able to again!
