March 20, 2015

Free public lecture traces the roots and evolution of surfing

From regional cottage industry to billion-dollar global empire, surfing is ingrained in Australia’s national psyche, a far cry from its humble origins in the islands of the Pacific. At the heart of it all is the surfer’s only tool – the surfboard.

On the 100th anniversary of stand-up surfing in Australia, authors of the book ‘Surfing Places, Surfboard Makers’, Professor Chris Gibson and Dr Andrew Warren, both human geographers at UOW’s Australian Centre for Cultural and Environmental Research, will give a free public lecture on Wednesday 25 March on the history and evolution of one of Australia’s favourite pastimes.

“Over the past 40 years, surfing has evolved from its humble origins in Hawaii to a global industry. At the heart is the surfer’s only tool and only connection to the water – the surfboard”, Professor Gibson said.

“At the Uni in the Brewery event we will discuss the evolution of the surfboard industry, the impact of surfing on popular culture, and the resurgence of the art of handcrafting boards.”

Professor Gibson and Dr Warren will also shares stories from their research trips to Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, Hawaii, and California, as well as the characters they have met in the Illawarra’s surfing scene. 

Additionally Richard Harvey, a legendary board maker from the Gold Coast will also be part of the line-up during the Q&A session.

Uni in the Brewery is a lecture series aimed at the public. It gives people the opportunity to learn about the various research projects conducted at UOW and to be involved in lively discussion with the presenters. 

‘The Evolution of Surfing’ - with Professor Chris Gibson and Dr Andrew Warren
Wednesday 25 March | 5.30-6.30pm
Five Islands Brewery, Harbour St, Wollongong NSW
Free and open to the public | Registration essential.

Media contact: Elise Pitt, Media & PR Officer, UOW, +61 2 4221 3079, +61 422 959 953 or epitt@uow.edu.au.