“So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other” - President Elect Barack Obama

And with those words, Barack Obama electrified thousands of supporters who gathered in Chicago last night to witness his acceptance speech. The only presidential candidate, at least that I am aware of, to ride waves mid-campaign is on his way to the White House.

So what affect will this have on the issues that matter most to the surfing community? I was fairly surprised to see that 80% of the participants of a poll on Ocean Waves Beaches stated that the environment, not the economy, was the most pressing issue currently facing us. The Bush administration has been one of, if not the most environmentally damaging administrations this country has ever seen. With the myriad of problems that will be handed over to Obama, let’s hope the change he has talked about for months and years can finally become a reality,

While the environment seems to be the most prevalent issue on the minds of surfers, the economic disaster has taken it’s toll on both the surf community and action sports industry as a whole. Surf trips are becoming more and more difficult to make a reality. Everything from airline fees to gas prices have increased the strain on those looking to venture out into the world to ride waves. As consumers tighten up the purse strings, action sports retailers are feeling the pinch and looking for ways to make it through this mess.

A long road is ahead for the Untied States, but here is to hoping that the election of Barack Obama to the United States Presidency is the first step of many in the right direction. If he can govern with the form, style, and poise he demonstrated in the Sandy Beach shore-pound, Barack Obama’s going to do just fine.

Posted by Shaun on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 in Surfing.

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