Liberia.
What comes to mind?
Surfing? Likely not. But today, one time only, it can.Check out Scarlettlion’s shots of the growing surf scene in Liberia on the BBC’s In Pictures.
Great shots. But nasty about making me want to jump on a plane. At least I have this shot of Jon above, rocking my third board, to remind me that surfing is only 3 months away. It means that I probably won’t crack and head over to Eritrea (can’t) or Somalia (really, really shouldn’t) to get my wave fix.
As an aside, what do you folks think about growing surf tourism in places like Liberia? Good or bad? Have you seen examples in similar places?
B
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
It seems to me that there’s a similarity between Jackie being able to climb weekly in Nairobi, and people (Liberians or otherwise) surfing. I guess it’s leisure that I didn’t know was possible or affordable in those countries, but I think if it is, it should be encouraged. It gives us so much joy, peace, tranquility. Why hog it?
-t
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I think it’s a great idea. Brings $$, relatively environmentally-friendly, I suppose, and who knows, might be the birth of some African Surf Music. Now, THAT would be interesting.
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I agree with Doug, other then the African surf music. Why not encourage tourism through a wicked sport like surfing.
I am also so torn when it comes to tourism, because it seems like it be so beneficial to small communities like the one mentioned in Liberia, but at the same time it can change what was once a pristine environment into something more man made. Of course without it I would likely never go to visit any of these amazing places, and the people of the area wouldn’t benefit from our influx of cash, but I am always left wondering if it is worth it when the environment is the one left to clean up the mess. The one thing that really bothered in the small beach village we stayed in Peru was the amount of garbage that was left to gather on the beach and how every evening it was simply washed away, providing a clean slate for the following morning.
I guess you just have to take the good with the evil. And maybe in places like Liberia were tourism is a relatively new thing, people will be less likely to trash such a pristine environment.
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I listened to the interesting podcast about Eritrea just last week. It was more concerned with authoritarian gov. than potential surfing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2009/04/090420_assignment_160409.shtml
The more you know!
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It all depends on how it is managed.
Raff - Eritrea has a suffocating regime. Pervasive. Very much so. Had interesting comments about this during conversations here.
B
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On Megans point about being torn - I feel that way too sometimes. But I guess I ask myself why I want to keep a place ‘pristine’… is it for my selfish pleasure, so that I can know about it and others cant, or for the benefit of the place? Just thinking aloud, havent come to any firm conclusions!
BUT… I now really want to go surfing in Liberia!!
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Is there really surf in Eritrea. Also, has any way ever explored the Iran coast?
I’ve checked out some photos and maps of the area around Chabahar and it looks like there could be real potential. Does any way know if it has been surfed before? I would be interested to hear any info about this or any other surf spots off the beaten path.
Thanks
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