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Until now, that is. Beginning in September, the University of Plymouth on England's southwest coast will inaugurate what it claims to be a completely legit Bachelor of Science in Surf Science and Technology. With an emphasis on nearby beaches, geological formations and the technology of making surf equipment, young surf scientists will study marine biology, geology, wave dynamics, economics and business management as well as surf skills, surfing history and surfing culture.

The catalog paints a bold picture of a well-reasoned degree designed to fill a gaping commercial need: "The University of Plymouth is the only institution in the world to offer such a rigorously academic course within this subject area. This unique course has been conceived in response to the needs of the multifaceted surf industry which has been developing since the 1950s and generates billions of dollars world-wide." Imagine: a supposedly rigorous college major in which fully one-sixth of the course units can be gained by surfing. Can this be for real? And how did an otherwise respectable institution of higher learning, with some of the best marine-science programs in Europe, get involved in such a sordid business?

"It really came from student demand," claims Malcolm Findlay, a surfing Scot, professor in fisheries sciences and one founder of the program. "We know that surfing actually makes quite a big contribution to the local economy in the south of England. One of the University of Plymouth's agenda items is to serve the local economy. Beyond that, we know that there is tremendous demand from potential students. And we are probably closest to decent surf breaks of any university in the U.K.," says Findlay, who is wired to a pager that sounds whenever the local weather buoys pick up major waves.

To get the program off the ground, Findlay brainstormed with marine geologist Colin Williams and marketing director Elly Sample. The trio canvassed students and surf companies to get feedback on their degree idea. According to Sample, the response was unprecedented. "In my 10 years of PR, I have never quite seen a response like it. We had people ringing up asking when these students would be available. We had phone calls coming in from all over the world," says Sample, who also surfs. When word of the project got out, surfing faculty members likewise voiced approval. In short order, several dozen instructors had offered to teach courses in various aspects of surfology.

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