Dave Lisle, Goonengerry
Paul Bibby’s front page story suggested an abusive surf culture was more a factor in surf rage than overcrowding and inexperience. I couldn’t agree more. Chest thumping is to blame, not kooks.
Our hyper-masculine surf culture is a form of social Darwinism. Aggression and dominance are seen by many as the way to win waves. This toxic culture venerates ripping up the best waves – communing with nature, or fraternising with mates, are ancillary objectives.
We saw this a few years ago when, amid great panic about shark attacks, a local boardrider’s club drew international headlines with its obscene advocacy of a shark cull. Our surf culture is about mastery over nature and dominating the weak. Some work is definitely needed.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
