[1] In 1963, Billboard described the emerging cultural "uniform" of the surfer with bleached blond hair and white Levi jeans, cut off at the knee.
[4] The hair of surfers is often damaged and bleached, brought about by frequent exposure to sunlight, humidity and salty water.
[12] The style became known as saafaa, and the more extreme Japanese surfer haircut has been described as being "straight and combed forward with the back cut short".
Traditionally, the surfer hairstyle has been one with little regard to personal grooming; unkempt, wild, long , carefree and at one with nature.
[16][17] Numerous media have capitalized upon this image and surfing culture, from American shows such as Malibu, CA, Baywatch[18] and teen-oriented films,[19] to a number of Australian soaps,[20] such as Home and Away.