Sustainable Surfing
The impact of surfing on the environment
Sustainability is important and is something we thrive for at Kima. Practices such as recycling, reducing food waste and reducing plastic waste are all big ways to participate in being sustainable. As we consider the issues around plastic pollution, climate change and habitat destruction, it is time for the surfing community to change, sustainably. Although surfing is a low-impact sport, there are still steps that can be taken to be even more eco-friendly. From the boards you ride to the products you use, every choice made as a surfer impacts the health of our earth and ocean.
What Is Harmful?
Although surfing is mostly a sustainable sport, it has a negative side to it too. Surfboards, boardshorts, bikinis, wetsuits and surf wax can all be harmful and affect the earth and ocean. Believe it or not, most modern surfboards are made from fiberglass or epoxy which is used to enhance speed and flexibility. Fiberglass boards are made with toxic chemicals such as VOCs also known as volatile organic compounds. VOCs are key contributors to ground level smog which can have impactful health effects. That's why most surfboard shapers wear protective masks when making a new surfboard. We all know that the fashion industry, especially the fast fashion industry, has an huge negative impact on our environment. It dries up water sources and pollutes rivers and streams and in the end also our ocean. The common swimwear and wetsuit brands are part of the fast fashion industry in most cases. Often swimwear and wetsuits are made from materials which are terrible to the environment and cant be recycled once worn down. We all know the use of fossil fuels is unsustainable whether it is direct or indirect use. Often swimwear and wetsuits are made from petroleum also known as crude oil which is a fossil fuel. Petroleum can be found in the polyester and nylon which is often found in traditional swimwear and wetsuits. This same fossil fuel is also found in surf wax, mixed in with a bunch of other chemicals which harm you and the world around you. However, the proportion of sustainable swimwear collections, sustainable swimwear and surfboard brands is steadily increasing - this is good and needed!
How to participate in Sustainable Surfing
It isn't hard to participate and contribute to sustainability in the surfing community. It starts off as easy as supporting surf brands and organizations who are committed to sustainability.
1. Support Sustainable Surf Gear Brands:
Big brands such as Billabong, Vissla, Surfyogis and Rip Curl are working towards staying sustainable within their products. Choose eco-friendly wetsuits that are made from neoprene alternatives or recycled materials. Also more and more sustainable surfboard brands are establishing themselves on the market. They offer for example surf boards made out of wood, offer discounts to customers who bring their used boards for recycling or make at least component parts of the surfboards of recycle plastic waste, like the fins, finboxes, fin keys or leash plugs. One of the essentials when surfing is surf wax, and it is also one of the ways to participate in sustainable surfing. A lot of surf wax contains harmful chemicals which do not only make the wax smell edible but also harms marine life. Wax brands such as Sticky Bump Wax, which is available for purchase in our camps, produces organic wax which only contains non-toxic ingredients.
2. Reduce Plastic Use:
Simpler ways to contribute is to reduce your use in single use plastic to minimize the plastic pollution which is often inputted into your favorite surf spots. Say no to single-use plastic, like we do in our camps, and use reusable water bottles instead. If you book your stay in our Camp in Canggu or Seminyak in Bali you will get our reusable Kima water bottle for free if you stay for a minimum of 5 nights.
BOOK NOW3. Beach Clean-Ups:
Find and join local beach clean ups around to remove the litter from the shorelines. Share it with others if you find an event and try to bring together as many people as possible. As one of our partner, we support Trash Hero in Canggu and offer our guest to participate in their weekly Beach Cleanup events.
4. Responsible Travel:
Traveling to surf spots all around the world might not be the most sustainable action you could do but at least you can offset your carbon footprint by paying extra fees for flights that emits less CO2.
5. Practice “Leave No Trace”:
Follow the principles of “Leave No Trace” when spending time outside, especially on the beach. Don’t leave any litter and maybe even pick up additional litter you come across.
How to be a better Bali Tourist?
Read hereWhy Going Green Matters
Often, by using unsustainable materials we can directly harm the environment through releasing harmful chemicals into the oceans, leading to destruction of marine life. But, indirectly harming the environment through surfing is also done. Purchasing products that indirectly support unethical material sources or using non-renewable energy which harms our planet. As surfers, we have a deep connection to the natural world. The oceans, beaches and waves we love to ride are all a part of a delicate ecosystem that is under threat from human activity. That is why sustainability has become such an important issue in the surfing community - we have a responsibility to protect the environment which we depend on.
One area where sustainability has been making a great impact recently is in the surfboard shaping industry. Previously, surfboards were made with harmful materials which directly harmed the climate. Today, more and more shapers and brands have been transitioning to more sustainable alternatives like bio-based forms, recyclable materials and less toxic glues and paints. High performance surfboards can be made in an eco-friendly way. And in the swimwear sector, brands like Ocean Soul and Vissla are using recycled and organic materials and fabrics which are sustainable to minimize environmental impact.
As surfers, we have a unique opportunity to be environmental ambassadors. By choosing sustainable surf gear and supporting brands that prioritize sustainability, we can reduce waste, protect our waves, and inspire others to do the same.
The ocean gives us so much - it’s our turn to give back.
