Green Surfing
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The document outlines the environmental impacts of common surfing products like surf wax, sunscreen, surfboards, and wetsuits, emphasizing their harmful effects on marine life. It offers alternatives such as organic surf wax, organic sunscreen, biofoam surfboards, bamboo surfboards, and eco-friendly wetsuits that are less toxic and more sustainable. Overall, it highlights the need for environmentally friendly choices in surfing gear to protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems.
Green Surfing
- 1. Green SurfingSurfers as Environmental Leaders
- 2. Surf WaxRegular bars of surf wax are petroleum based and contain synthetic rubbers with heavy alcohol agents, or tackifiers, for extra stickiness.Surf wax suffocates coral reefs and is ingested by marine animalsCost = $0.30-$0.50
- 4. Alternative: Organic Surf WaxOrganic surf wax uses all natural ingredients (i.e., beeswax, soy, vegetable oils)Organic surf wax is biodegradable and does not harm the environmentEven the wrapping paper around the wax is made with soy-based ink and recycled paper.Cost = $1/bar
- 6. SunscreenSunscreens are toxic!A recent report by the CDC also found that 95 percent of Americans have oxybenzone, an ingredient found in sunscreens, in their bloodstream. The chemical is linked to cell damage, allergies and hormone disruption.In all, 84 percent of the 831 sunscreens EWG tested did not pass health and environmental muster. Many contained potentially harmful chemicals such as Benzophenone, homosalate and octylmethoxycinnamate (also called octinoxate), which are known to mimic naturally occurring hormones and can throw the bodys systems out of whack. Some also contained Padimate-0 and parsol 1789 (also known as avobenzone), which are suspected of causing DNA damage when exposed to sunlight.
- 7. SunscreenSunscreen chemicals are killing coral reefs worldwide!Researchers estimate that 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers annually in oceans worldwide, and that up to 10 percent of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching.Cost = $5-$10
- 8. Alternative: Organic SunscreenThe good news is that many companies are now introducing safer sunscreens crafted from plant- and mineral-based ingredients and without chemical additives.Organic sunscreens are not toxic to your body or the environmentThey are biodegradable and do not harm the oceanCost = $8-$20
- 9. SurfboardTypical surfboard blanks are made of polystyrene.Polystyrene (better known to most of us as "styrofoam") has been known to leach toxic chemicals and creates copious amounts of liquid and solid waste during its productionA regular surfboards lifespan is short!Thus a lot of surfboards end up in the dump, with their toxic chemicals ultimately polluting the groundwater and ocean.Cost = $200-$500
- 10. Alternative: Biofoam SurfboardBiofoam surfboards are made from at least 50% plant based materialsThey are less toxic than typical surfboardsThey are usually made with epoxy resin, which is stronger and much more durable than the typical fiberglassCost = $300-$800
- 11. Alternative: Bamboo SurfboardBamboo surfboards are made from bamboo one of the worlds fastest growing and most sustainable plantsBamboo does not require pesticides to grow!They are not made with toxic materialsBamboo decks rarely dent!Cost = $$$$$
- 12. WetsuitsWetsuits are made with toxic chemicals, including PVC.PVC is the most toxic plastic for our health and environment. Wetsuits also consist of neoprene.When allergen-containing neoprene products touch the skin, a susceptible person typically experiences a reaction that can range from redness to blistering. Often, avoiding the neoprene products is the only solution because protective covering of the offending material is either impractical or insufficient. Cost = $100-$400
- 13. Alternative: Eco-Friendly WetsuitsPatagonias eco-friendly wetsuit uses chlorine-free wool, recycled polyester, PVC-free kneepads and thinner neoprene layers (without sacrificing warmth retention).Cost = $250-$400