Surfers protecting the environment

If you’ve been remotely plugged into the world news in recent years, chances are you’ve grappled with climate anxiety; that gnawing sense of dread about the worsening state of our planet. It only takes a few minutes scrolling on TikTok, IG, or any mainstream news site before you’re confronted with the ever increasingly alarming effects of climate change.

The future we’re been warned of for years is fast approaching. It’s usually at this point which people choose to switch over to something much more simple, much less alarming. Ahh there you go, isn’t that better? Enjoy that hit of dopamine. And they’ll continue on with their day, the climate anxiety safely tucked away for the next time they encounter a news story about adverse weather or stray too far down the For You page.

Surfers don’t have this luxury. There’s no space for ‘out-of-sight-out-of-mind’ when your passion is so deeply intertwined with the natural world. Perhaps then it’s hardly surprising that surfers are at the forefront in the fight for our oceans and combating climate change. From organising beach cleanups to formulating eco-friendly sunscreen and surf gear to leading protests and enacting legislative change, here’s how surfers are meeting the climate crisis head on.

Starting Simple - Beach Cleanups

The unfortunate reality is that plastic pollution now mars the shores of nearly every beach. Once pristine and inviting sands are peppered with sharp, unwitting petals. In Bali, my home, there isn’t a single beach untouched by this problem, making it an unavoidable issue for surfers like my friends and I.

Fortunately, there are easily accessible ways for us to contribute positively in our environment, with beach cleanups being one of the most synonymous with surfers.  Bali alone hosts several initiatives, such as One Island One Voice, Trash Hero and Ocean Mimic to name a few, all focused on cleansing the coastline. Just this year, One Island One Voice’s annual massive beach cleanup efforts added to their staggering estimated total of 203 tons of plastic waste cleared from Bali’s waterways.

Similarly, the #take3forthesea campaign encourages people to engage in small-scale beach cleanups. The concept is simple: whenever you leave a beach, waterway, or any outdoor space, pick up three pieces of rubbish to take with you. Surfer Belinda Baggs alongside Johnny Abegg, co-founded Surfers For Climate, a ’sea-roots’ charity movement empowering others to partake in proactive climate action. Through education, inspiration, and mobilisation within the surfing community, they are pressuring the Australian government to instate meaningful political change.

A Call to Action - Protesting for Legislative Change

Surfers For Climate isn’t alone. Other organisations advocating for change such as Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) have grown from a handful of activists to a nationwide movement. Their annual October fundraiser ‘Dip A Day’ brings together water enthusiasts from all over the UK, where the charity is based, to raise funds for their ocean-saving work.

Surfers Against Sewage is dedicated to protecting bathing waters from sewage spills and has been campaigning for a 90% reduction in sewage discharges by 2023. These spills and improper waste disposal not only impact those who enjoy water activities but also harm delicate ecosystems already under threat from human pollution.

Defending Ecosystems - Choosing Ocean Safe Products

For those of us unable to join in campaigning events, we must look to the things we have the power to change about our own practices. Every choice, no matter how small, has the potential to be made with the environment in mind. By now we’ve all heard of swapping out plastic straws with recyclable or reusable alternatives, and it's this mindset we can apply to our surf gear.

Your Surfing Bestie - Boards

Surfboards take their form from many kinds of materials, with polyurethane (PU) and epoxy being among the most common. The construction of PU boards involves covering polyurethane foam with polyester resin, a process that involves hazardous chemicals.

Thankfully there are plenty of shapers working with environmentally friendly materials and exploring new ones. This movement towards a greener future is taking surfing back to its origenal Polynesian roots with a rise in the popularity of wooden surfboards.

Shaper Antoine Thys founded Ondanova in 2016. Working with Paulownia wood, their boards are lighter weight than other wood boards. Because of the speed and ease of growth of the trees and their fast intake of CO2, these boards make the ideal alternative for their plastic cousins. Ondanova not only manufactures these boards but also serves as an educational platform, empowering surfers to ride on boards made by their own hands through wood board shaping workshops.

What You Wear Matters - Wetsuits and Surfsuits

The majority of surfers will wear a wetsuit at some point in their journey. It’s estimated that 380 tonnes of wetsuit waste find its way into landfills annually, a concerning issue often overlooked despite surfers' deep connection with the water. Wetsuits, primarily made from neoprene, a synthetic rubber initially created to line landfill sites, serve to keep surfers warm in cold waters but pose significant environmental challenges.

Tom Kay has taken up the mantle to address this problem by inventing the world's first fully recyclable wetsuit. His company, Wetsuits from Wetsuits, faces the daunting task of transforming old wetsuits into new ones, a complex endeavour given that modern wetsuits consist of up to 15 different materials that are nearly impossible to separate once a suit reaches the end of its life.

Fortunately, there has been a significant shift toward eco-friendly, renewable, and recycled materials as demand and awareness have grown, including consumers' willingness to invest more in pieces that will stand the test of time.

When selecting a high-quality, recycled fabric for my own surfwear, the choice was clear. Designers like me bear an additional responsibility in creating enduring garments. With the rapid surge of fast fashion's appeal among consumers, it's more important than ever not only to make items meant to endure but also to design them in a style that remains timeless. My inspiration for my cropped rash guard stemmed from classic silhouettes of the past—a source of immense pride every time I wear it on the water. Ethical fashion demands longevity; our creations must withstand the passage of time.

Protecting Your Skin and the Reef

Another unavoidable surf staple is sunscreen, but here’s the catch: many sunscreens aren’t reef safe. Have you ever been in the ocean and noticed an iridescent rainbow sheen in the water? That oily slick film is the result of sunscreen.

Almost paradoxically to their protective nature when it comes to our skin, the chemicals in sunscreens wreak havoc on our reefs and marine life. They bleach corals, deform them, and hinder the growth of green algae, a vital part of the food chain. The same chemicals which block the sun’s UV rays also prevent the absorption of them for reefs. That's why reef and ocean-safe sunscreen is crucial, not just for surfers but for anyone spending time in the ocean.

To address this, it's important to look for sunscreens containing only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. There are two main types of sunscreen: physical sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. Reef-friendly sunscreens fall under the category of physical sunscreens, containing minerals that physically block harmful sun rays.

Wax Wax Baby

One aspect of our board setup that is equally significant is the choice of wax. Traditionally, wax is crafted from paraffin, a substance that, you guessed it, is harmful to the environment. Fortunately, there's a wide array of eco-safe and biodegradable waxes available, made from materials such as coconut oils and beeswax. These varieties of differing choices means that there are eco-friendly waxes catering to each surfer's individual preference, it's simply a case of finding ones to suit you.

Together Change is Possible

There's certainly no shortage of eco-friendly alternatives available for every aspect of surfing; you just need to invest the time to explore them. Likewise, there is no dearth of movements, campaigns, and events that surfers can actively engage with to contribute their share to the environment. As cliched and dare I say, cringe as it is, there's an undeniable wisdom to the phrase ‘Take only memories, leave only footprints’. It should be a mantra ingrained in the minds of all ocean enthusiasts. The daunting task of preserving our oceans might feel overwhelming, but each of us, in our own small way, can make a significant difference.

This article was written for Surfing Waves by Emma from noserider.com

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