When I analyzed my interview with Ken I noticed a unique interaction regarding surfboard design. His answers were straight forward; his style was that of a long boarder even when using a short board. This led me to see that the forces of repression do not always lead to aggressive style changes but in using more aggressive devices. As the waves grow the boards shrink. A surfer may not take out his aggression with aggressive maneuvers but by picking up a more aggressively designed board they are releasing their aggression. A smaller board looks more aggressive than a larger board. Ken uses his smaller surfboards when the waves are larger and a longer board when the waves are smaller. This change in board use can be representative of the growth in repressive forces, the increase in wave size, causing the surfer to use a more aggressive, or smaller, board. I had noticed that surfers used different sized boards depending on the conditions but had never seen how the waves represent repression.
Shane’s responses provided me with the information that supported my original idea that when the phallic symbol, in this case the surfboard, is repressed the rider’s style becomes more aggressive. Shane responded, when asked if his style changed when using different boards, “I have a tendency to try new tricks and moves while using my short board and less while using my long board.” Shane’s style becomes more aggressive when using the repressed phallic symbol. As the board becomes smaller the rider attempts new maneuvers, or rides more aggressively. This is because the rider becomes angry at the repression of the phallic symbol and must act out in an aggressive fashion to release anger.
Analyzing my own responses showed me similar conclusions to the rest of the interviews I conducted. Boards are changed depending on conditions and riding style, as well as the board as a symbol, changes as a result of repression. My own response was a little different in when and how I make my decision on which board to use on a particular day. I usually choose which board to use based on the conditions but there are some days where I just have a need to use a short board or I will want to use a longboard, despite the conditions. My mood will determine which board I take out first. I often bring multiple boards with me so I can have the ideal board for the day’s conditions. There are some days where I know it would be better to use a longer board but I find myself trying the shorter board first. This was an angle I had not realized earlier, that there are other influences, not just the obvious repression of the phallic symbol and the repression of the waves, which effect aggression and riding style. There are outside factors in the rider’s life that play a role in the repression aggression dynamic.
As a result of my ethnographic research, and subsequent analysis, I found out many new concepts that play a role in the repression-aggression dynamic in surfboard design and rider style. The time a person is involved in the repressive event, surfing, the more aggressive their style will be. The person will take more risks and ride with more adventure. I realized that choosing a more aggressively designed board is the result of repression, the waves are the repressive force and the board chosen is the aggressive response. Shane’s interview supports my original idea that the repression of the phallic symbol, the surfboard, leads to a more aggressive style of riding. My own response gave me insight into how outside influences play a role in the repression-aggression dynamic. All these interviews provided me with new knowledge as well as serving to solidify my original argument that there is a relationship between repressive forces and aggressive behaviors in the world of surfboard design and riding style.