In part two of this month's two-part series on surfing in New Hampshire, we explore how the sport of surfing can create community, a sense of responsibility to protect the natural world, and monetary value for coastal towns. What is the value of clean water? And just because you surf, does that mean you’re more likely to support healthy coastal ecosystems? 

Becs O’Brien and Christina Dubin are two surfer friends who have formed a community of female surfers along the seacoast and are actively involved with marine conservation organizations, including Surfrider New Hampshire and Beyond Plastics. In an age where our screen-time is quickly outpacing our face-time with one another, we discuss how the antidote might just be something as simple as floating on boards with friends in the ocean. Becs and Christina also share their thoughts on how to meaningfully engage the surfing community with the issues facing our coast.   

Last but not least, Scott Lemos, a Research Economist and Senior Lecturer at University of New Hampshire, gives us a lesson on surf-onomics. How much money is clean water worth, and how can a sport like surfing impact a local economy? Scott also coins the term ‘positive localism’ as we speak about how surfing can become less extractive from the natural world and leave people with a lasting connection to the natural world instead.   

Full episode transcript is available below.

Guest Speakers:  

Becs O’Brien, Volunteer, Surfrider New Hampshire 

Christina Dubin, Major Gifts Manager, Beyond Plastics 

Scott Lemos, Research Economist and Senior Lecturer, University of New Hampshire 

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant 

Co-hosted by: Erik Chapman, Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant 

Produced by: Brian Yurasits 

Further reading

Surfrider New Hampshire 

Beyond Plastics 

Scott Lemos’ Research 

New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu 

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