How the surfing industry is combatting ocean plastic

As Surfers Against Sewage state: ‘Luckily, surfing brings together a diverse cross section of society and fuses different subcultures, which might not ordinarily mix. Doctors and lawyers sit in the line up next to builders, students and the unemployed. This is incredibly practical as a concept to propagate strong ideas, in this case sustainability, transecting normal social boundaries and like a boulder dropped in a pond, the waves of change can travel with unparalleled speeds and effectiveness. Within our surfing communities we have all the individual characters needed to breathe life into sustainability, ensuring sustainability is accepted as established behaviour within the mainstream.’

The problem is that, like with other sports, it’s an industry that, in reality, lags behind in sustainable practices – largely due to the fact that choices on kit are fuelled by performance credentials. It’s a conundrum that sits at the centre of sustainability fights across the world. Although there may be the right people involved and surfers, like myself, may be passionate about changing the course of climate change and ocean pollution, there’s a lagging behind when it comes to equipment and the industry at the core pioneering change.

Some makers and shapers have been levelling up though, keen to produce boards that are as technical and efficient as their less-natural and more toxic rivals. Historically, of course, surf boards were made out of solid wood before technology and development took over and we moved onto bigger and better things (or so they say).

Today, it’s all about a revisit to the past and a nod to the more sustainable, natural way of doing things. Research shows that demand for more sustainable, wooden surfboards is stratospherically on the rise this year but it’s about makers showing that they can be as performative as their less-sustainable siblings. Wood is, of course, a natural material and can be introduced back into the environment at the end of its lifecycle as a board. If the raw material is extracted at a rate slower than the natural regeneration of that material, then it can come close to being entirely sustainable.

Otter Surfboards are one of the most well-known wooden board brands across the world, making boards from locally-grown timber from regenerative, sustainable woodlands.  James Otter makes and teaches people how to make wooden surfboards from his workshop in Truro, Cornwall and is keen to keep pushing the sustainable boards out there. He recently released a book called Do, Make, The Power of Your Own Two Hands and is clearly passionate about encouraging people to get back to basics when it comes to making, in the form of sustainable crafting. In fact, in his new book, he actively encourages others to have a go at making their own wooden boards.

This, alongside other green surfing developments such as bamboo cores to boards and hemp-based fibreglass being rolled out, shows that there is an ever more eco future appearing within the surf world. Cafe owners in a small pocket of Ireland are even making hand planes for bodysurfers out of recycled plastic milk bottles. Plus, more and more makers are starting to craft a name for themselves in the wood-riding world – brands such as British company, Lignum Surfboards, Far, Grain Surfboards and Italian company No-Made Boards.

The marketing surrounding the surf industry is something of a controversial one, still. But one thing is for sure – there’s a sense of effortless cool that goes with it. So, the best news? Once industries that are seen to be ‘cool’ and have marketing campaigns that follow the theme are onboard, change happens… Watch this space.