The Business of Surfing Part 3

The Business of SL Surfing

Part #3 Rules to live by

So you’ve decided to jump feet first into Surf Simdom! There are a few rules that you may want to follow. Now if you’re doing this just for you and your friends, make your own Damn Rules! If you would like to attract more then you, your alt and that girl you met at the strip club that’s really a dude here are a few things to think about;

It seems simple, but be nice! Be nice to the people that come to your beach have free activities for them. Example; have free rental surfboards. This is great for new surfers and board is a big investment for someone new to SL or surfing. Make it an environment you would like to visit.

Design a beautiful environment. This isn’t hard to do; with the advent of complex sculpties there are lots of low cost/low prim objects out there to make your beach a paradise.

Start a Group for your beach. You’d be surprised how this can help spread the word about your beach and at the very least it will build camaraderie with your regulars and people that love your beach.

Invest in a nice wave. A lot of us that have been here a while can appreciate a nice set of SSI pipes or fluffies, but most will not. Give them a newer wave to surf. Understand a wave investment is going to be between L$8,000-L$25,000.

Buy a few Surf Board vendors. Not only is this a nice convenience for people that may want to buy a board, but it also may provide you a little spending money. Don’t get too excited no one ever made their fortune on surfboard vendors.

Be attentive to your guest's needs. Be a helpful person, engage the people make them feel comfortable, answer questions, listen to suggestions. Don’t be an ass! Again seems simple but I see this rule broken all the time. Remember there are a lot of new people that have no idea of the customs, rules or even how to properly work their AV. If someone does something wrong talk to him or her and explain it. Your first reaction shouldn’t be to ban them for life!

Banning: Banning should be a last resort and you should be willing to listen to someone that wants to be permitted access again to your sim. If they're a well known griefer, copybot, or generally bad person then by all means don’t allow access, but if its someone that just didn’t know the rules give’m another chance.

Get involved with Surfing groups and organizations.

SLSA is Second Life’s premier surfing organization. They hold surf competitions, have classes to teach surfing and are a well-organized group.

ASBBL is the Brazilian surf group that also holds surf events and is a very friendly and welcoming group.

ASA is the Australian Surfing Association. They are an extremely fun and welcoming group. This group’s mission is to be fun first and foremost.

All of these groups look for sponsorship every season. SLSA and ASA also look for beaches to hold their competitions. The quickest way to get your beach exposure is to host one of these competitions. There are requirements to hosting an event so be sure to check with each group

Part#4 Next Week