Travelling Responsibly as a Surf Tourist
Surf and Care for the Environment
In recent years there has been a big increase in surf tourism in Bali and Sri Lanka and we are seeing once-empty line-ups being filled with tourists from all over the world. This increase in surf tourism affects local communities in both good and bad ways, and as surf tourists this is something we need to be aware of.
We have a duty to the local communities and environments of the places we travel to be responsible surf tourists. Responsible surf travel means respecting the people, their cultures and the nature when chasing our next wave. As surfers, the ocean gives us so much and it's only right to protect it in return. In this blog, we will discuss five ways to be a responsible surf tourist so when you set off on your next surf trip, you do it with care.
1. Respect the ocean
Many of the surf spots you’ll explore in Bali and Sri Lanka are reef breaks, meaning you will be catching waves over some beautiful coral reefs. When going out for a surf, avoid standing on the coral reefs in the reef breaks, even when wearing surf booties to protect your feet. This will damage the reef, which is a major ecosystem for all marine life.
2. Choose surf gear that is environmentally friendly:
Buy surfwear from local brands that don’t promote overproduction or who produce ocean-friendly surfwear. This has become very popular all over the world, with so many new local brands doing their bit to make a difference. Try out equipment that is made from recycled plastic such as leashes, wax combs and fins. Make use of wax that is biodegradable and is not manufactured with petroleum.
Lastly, when choosing sun protection use sunscreen and zinc that is reef safe and won’t harm the reef and wildlife. To know which sunscreen and zinc is safe you can look out for the “reef safe” note or make sure there are no harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate inside the ingredients list.
3. Be mindful of local communities
When surfing in Sri Lanka or Bali, it is important to be friendly and respectful towards locals in the water, whether you are with an instructor or surfing alone. This is where they have grown up surfing and it is important to remember the correct surf etiquette in the water. At Kima Surf, we have surf theory lessons three times a week that cover topics like surf etiquette and other surf knowledge that is very beneficial to know in the lineup.
You could also try learning the language of the country you are visiting. This allows you to connect more deeply with locals and really immerse yourself and learn about a new culture.
4. Give back to places you visit
Travelling is fun but getting involved and feeling like you’ve given back to the community can be even more rewarding and enjoyable. Join us on Sundays for beach clean-ups with TrashHero to clean up the Canggu Beach just a 5-minute walk from our Canggu camp. In the past year, we hosted a surf therapy day in Bali to help children with disabilities learn how to surf and raise money to fund therapy sessions.
Small contributions to the local community also go a very long way. Giving back to the community through buying local products, eating local and making sure you tip your drivers and local staff is greatly appreciated.
5. Pack light to lower your carbon footprint
We are all guilty of overpacking when we go on holiday! Only bring items that you need for your surf trip. For surfers, try considering whether you need your own surfboard. There are plenty of surf spots in surf destinations where you can rent and this may be the better option, especially when only travelling for a short period of time. In Kima Surf, you can rent surfboards from camp. We have options for every level including our Premium Surfboard collection.
We tend to overpack and only end up using half the items that we bring along. Packing lightly can significantly reduce your carbon footprint during flights and drives. Staying in one place longer rather than travelling around is another method to reduce your carbon footprint.
