The Friday File: Using a combination of variables including sales of food, drink, lodging and for the unlucky, medical care, economists estimate that the 2,500 global locations with high-quality waves sought out by surfers generate about $20 million/year each or $50 billion/year collectively. When a new spot is found, local economic growth can rise by up to three percentage points/year for about five years until growth levels off. Hang Ten!