A 2008-09 survey by Surf-First and the Surfrider Foundation attempts to figure out the demographics and economics of surfers in the United States through an Internet-based questionnaire. The average surfer in the survey was male, in his 30s, well-educated and employed full time, defying the stereotype of a surfer as young, uneducated and jobless.
To prove there is intrinsic value in a wave, the report produced last August tabulates the number of surfers in the country and how much money they shell out for the privilege of riding the waves. After surveying more than 5,000 surfers, it was concluded that about 3.3 million people in the country surf 108 times a year, drive an average of 10 miles per session and contribute at least $2 billion to the U.S. economy
