Decolonizing Surf Tourism with Dr. Tara Ruttenberg

Swell Season

On this episode of the Swell Season Surf Podcast, we talk with Dr. Tara Ruttenberg, a surf tourism expert, about the negative impacts of surf tourism and the search for empowering tourism models that benefit local communities. Dr. Ruttenberg, a writer, researcher, and PhD in development studies, shares her journey into surf tourism study, inspired by her surf experiences in Costa Rica. The conversation covers the impact of surf travel on local communities, the concept of sustainable surf tourism, the role of localism, and practical ways surfers can travel more responsibly. Dr. Ruttenberg explains how her research aims to create non-growth-oriented, community-centered alternatives to traditional tourism models. Additionally, we discuss the ethical challenges expats face when moving to surf destinations and effective strategies for ensuring local communities benefit from surf tourism. Dr. Ruttenberg created Tarantula Surf as a platform for authentic sharing and engaging with alternative socioecological paradigms for a more beautiful world. Dr. Tara Rutten is our guest on this episode of The Swell Season Surf Podcast
Side Note: We discuss Keven Lovett’s story about the development of Nias and is included in a much larger film called ‘Point of Change’ by Rebecca Coley. You can learn more about the film here: https://pointofchangefilm.com/
To find Dr. Tara Ruttenberg you can follow her on Instagram @tarantulasurf and check out her website: https://www.tarantulasurf.com/
The Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network.
For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com
Music:
Artist: Bjork
Song: Human Behavior
Album: Debut
00:00 Introduction to the Swell Season Surf Podcast
02:14 The Impact of Surf Tourism
04:10 Dr. Tara Ruttenberg's Journey
07:12 The Complexities of Surf Travel
17:37 Sustainable Surf Tourism Models
33:44 Community-Based Research in Playa Hermosa
35:57 Exploring Alternatives to Capitalist Surf Tourism
36:50 Decentering Capitalist Logics in Surf Tourism
38:08 Challenges of Implementing Non-Colonial Models
41:07 Local Ownership and Surf Tourism Dynamics
42:25 Community Resistance and Surf Tourism
46:18 The Impact of Expats on Local Surf Communities
53:16 Access to Beaches and Privatization Issues
01:04:35 Sustainable Surf Travel Tips
01:05:53 Tarantula Surf and Future Projects
01:09:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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