Surfing is a sporting and cultural practice whose worldwide spread has maintained close links with coastal tourism since the beginning of the twentieth century. In many destinations, waves and surf cultures are mobilized as territorial resources, through surf schools, accommodation, events, employment, communication strategies, branding policies and protection measures. This process of tourism development nevertheless produces contrasting effects, ranging from economic diversification and seasonal employment to conflicts over access to surf spots, social inequalities and environmental pressures.

Surfing is a sporting and cultural practice whose worldwide spread has maintained close links with coastal tourism since the beginning of the twentieth century. In many destinations, waves and surf cultures are mobilized as territorial resources, through surf schools, accommodation, events, employment, communication strategies, branding policies and protection measures. This process of tourism development nevertheless produces contrasting effects, ranging from economic diversification and seasonal employment to conflicts over access to surf spots, social inequalities and environmental pressures.