When it’s on, it’s on. Photo: Samuel Hall
For the last few months, waves around the world have been absolutely pumping. It is, without a doubt, one of the most swell-filled seasons in recent memory, thanks to the giant El Nino churning out waves. And Australia, one of the most surf-frenzied countries in the world, has seen a huge bump in their economy because of it–a $20 million bump, according to The Gold Coast Bulletin.
Dr. Neil Lazarow, a coastal management researcher, broke down exactly where the money came from. He found that there were around 75,000 surfers, both locals and visitors, that spent somewhere between $25 and $40 a session for the last two months. Lazarow came to that number after using previous research that estimated breaks in Australia to be worth $233 million every year.
Lazarow found that locals dumped $14 million into the economy in the eight weeks he looked at, while traveling surfers spent nearly $5 million. The reason for the boost, of course, is the increase in swell–more surfers breaking more boards and spending more money on everything from wax to gas. “This new money coming into the local economy is the most valuable — what locals spend is just redistributed around the city,” Dr Lazarow said.
Anthony Pols, who owns a surfboard repair shop, told The Gold Coast Bulletin that he’s having a hard time keeping up with demand. Repairs have increased 40% since this time last year, and he’s having an average of 60 surfboards dropped off at his shop every day. “On a busy day,” he said, “my best guy will try to do 70 boards because everyone wants them back so quickly.”
