Dear Betty,
How can I be an environmentally conscious surfer?
—Going Green, Seal Beach, CA
Dear Allison,
First of all, good on ya! The ocean gives so much to us and surfers really need give back.
Ride:
Start by choosing a board that is better for the environment. Traditionally, production of boards (foam, resin, and fiberglass) has been hazardous to the environment. These days you can look for boards make with bamboo or biofoam cores, hemp cloth, and epoxy resins. And remember that buying a used board is both reusing and recycling. (Find out more here.)
Wear:
Cover your skin with organic or chemical-free sunscreens (try Jason, Soleo Organic, Kiss My Face). As for your wetsuit, try out the Regulator from Patagonia. It is lined with non-chlorine treated merino wool bonded to recycled polyester jersey and has 80% non-petroleum based ingredients and PVC-free kneepads—all to reduce the impact on the environment. (Find out more here.)
Wax:
Wax your stick with environmentally friendly products. More and more companies are making homemade wax products from organic and all-natural ingredients. Check out: GreenSurf, Terra Wax, Northern Light Surf Wax, and Funky Puffin's Jersey Surf Wax. (Find out more here.)
Drink:
Instead of guzzling water following a surf session from a wasteful plastic bottle, bring your water in a stainless steel container. (Find out more here.)
Go:
Offset that fabulous surf trip you are taking by calculating the amount of CO2 emissions from your journey and donating to Carbon Fund, an organization that invests donations in climate-friendly projects (planting trees, renewable energy, etc.). Also check out the CarbonFree Surfing Program from Carbon Fund.
Finally, remember that everything you do in your daily life helps: reduce, reuse, recycle, carpool with surfing buddies, start making better spending choices, from organic fruits to fashion items. Every bit counts!
Enjoy the ride,
Betty
Got a question for Betty? E-mail it here
Advertisement
Advertisement