A recent survey identified over 1500 regular surfers with a further potential 8500 non-regular surfers residing within Scotland. Directly supporting the sport there are 14 surf retail businesses as well as 2 surfboard shapers and 14 surf schools. Within Scotland there are several surf clubs varying from loosely formed associations through to well regulated organizations including 6 University Surf Clubs.
The demographics above are but the tip of the iceberg. Over and above the businesses which directly benefit from people participating in the sport the secondary benefits is by far further reaching. The surf sites along the coast of Scotland have inspired filmmakers, frequently feature in different forms of surf media and offer national promotion for the country. Some of these sites have been home to numerous national and international events with many attracting numerous visitors both from within and outwith Scotland. In certain areas holiday homes and hostels have been specifically geared towards the surf tourism market with many local businesses along the corners of Scotland supported by the trade the sport brings.
Indirectly surfing has attracted new residents to out of reach communities where demographics indicate an otherwise declining population and the sport has provided the backbone for an underlying street culture with many popular surf brands such as Billabong, O’Neill, Rip Curl, Hurley and Quicksilver. With nearly a 50 year history these ‘surf sites’ make up what is part of Scotland’s Marine Recreational Heritage.
Through interviews with many of the Scottish surfers they acknowledge that surfing is much more than just a sport - it’s a way of life.
An Assessment of the Sport of Surfing in Scotland can be downloaded below