Devoted to surf : an ethnographic study of the globalisation of surfing in Malta

Abstract

The focus of this dissertation is to delve into the small yet growing community of surfers in Malta, to understand their motivations and how their comprehension of the global surf community draws them together. My data was gathered by observing Maltese surfers and discussing their thoughts on their spiritual relationship with nature, on notions of territorialism and consumption both locally and on foreign shores, whilst drawing upon existing literature and ethnographies focusing on risk-based sports for comparison. This dissertation seeks to understand the surf experience through topics of spirituality and the occupancy of the surf space within a growing community through the Maltese context, highlighting the difficulties they face without regular tidal surf, and identifying their dedication to their sport.