Tourists carry surf boards down to the water as they enjoy the sun at Kuta beach on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. AFP PHOTO/SONNY TUMBELAKA

Surfing is a seven billion dollar industry and a lot of that money comes from tourism. Surfers from first-world countries travel to distant beaches in search of the perfect wave. These surfing safaris may stimulate the local economies of countries like Peru, Indonesia and Mexico but they can also have a devastating long-term impact. Researchers at San Diego State University have begun a new program that will study so called "surfing slums." Madeleine recently spoke about this issue with Jess Ponting, the director of new Center for Surf Research.

Guest:

Jess Ponting, director of new Center for Surf Research