Riding artificial waves: the hybridisation of surfing in urban spaces

Traditional outdoor lifestyle sports, once rooted exclusively in natural environments, have increasingly been practiced in safe and controlled artificial settings. This phenomenological research examines the case of Wave Park in South Korea to gain nuanced insights into surfers’ experiences and perceptions within artificial settings. We collected multiple qualitative data sources, including 12 semi-structured interviews with recreational surfers, archival materials, and field observations. Our findings revealed the complex and ambivalent nature of the artificial surfing experience, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges inherent in the urban leisure expansion. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of urban leisure experiences in lifestyle sports and offer broader implications for conceptualising leisure spaces in contemporary society. Additionally, the examination of the Korean context enriches our understanding of the cultural hybridisation and glocalisation processes in lifestyle sports.