How can YOU be an eco-friendly surfer?

Although this next phrase might sound cliché, it holds a lot of truth: every individual can make a difference. This includes surfers. The second you leave your house to go surfing, hangout with friends on the beach, buy a new wetsuit or other surf apparel or break your surfboard, there is always a greener alternative than the first obvious idea that comes to your mind. Change requires effort and determination, so these next tips and steps to follow are not going to make your life easier but it will connect you with the people at the heart of the surf industry and with the essential component of surfing: nature.

Surf spot in Indonesia covered in sewage. Photo: Zak Noyles.

1. Surfing isn't an easy sport. It's strenuous and full of surprises, which is what makes it so exciting and fun. The force of the ocean cannot be tamed and surfers can endure nasty falls and accidents, which overtime can seriously damage their boards, even break them! So recycle your surfboard instead of throwing it away or when possible repair it. In other words, sell it as a second-hand surf board or donate it to charities and organisations. (See "Eco Links") If it's broken, your local surf shop or shapers might make use of it and recycle it. 
2. In turn, buy a second-hand surf board. Think about how often you use your board. Do you really need a brand new one? Your wallet will thank you and so will the environment. 
3. On the other hand, if you are indeed a very devoted and passionate surfer then opt for a greener alternative. Look for Ecoboards or others that use environmentally friendly materials. (See "Eco Links" for guidance.) If for some reason, you do not have access to these innovative surf boards then why not talk to the local shapers and surfers? They might be able to direct you onto a greener path and before you know it you'll have your green surfboard in hand!
4. Surfers are stereotyped as being the laid back, carefree and chilled guys on the beach but does that mean they're lazy? Quite the opposite! The physical demand that is required when surfing in the waters of our powerful oceans is tremendous and not being adequately fit can lead to serious injuries. So why not bike to the beach? Or walk? It'll serve as a warm-up and strain nothing other than your muscles. Of couse not everyone has the luxury of living 2 min away from the waves so if you really must drive, at least share lifts with your friends to reduce fuel and emissions or take the bus. 
5. I love traveling, who doesn't? Unfortunately, our pleasure has a cost and it has become too high for the environment to pay. Places like Hawaii, South Africa, Australia, Spain and countless more locations sound like surf paradise but let's get real here. Do you need to go surf there? Are the waves 10 min/1 hour away from your house or in a neighbour town/in the country from where you live in not sufficient? That might in fact not be the case if you live in a country that is surrounded by land or where there are just terrible/no waves but do you need to fly to the other side of the world to get a good session in? Of course not! Sure it'd be amazing but who said you need a picturesque landscape to surf? Not everyone is as as fortunate and some are obliged to surf in dirty beaches full of garbage so if there's a surf spot nearby (if impossible at least in a country nearby) where you can surf then go for it! Surf as close to your house whenever you can! And wherever you end up surfing in the end, keep tip #4 in mind. 
6. When it comes to surfing, the first things that come to our mind are most probably surfers on their board riding waves. At its core, that is essentially what surfing is! When looking at the bigger picture, and we must if we want to make a difference, it is so much more than that. The surf industry is a billion dollar industry, which consists of surf apparel, wetsuits, surf wax, surfboards, bags, fins, leashes and so much more.... So when it comes time to buy your own gear, always look for the greener alternatives even if it's not the first product you find but you need to dig deeper! (See "Eco Links") If you do not have access or cannot buy eco-designed products, think about buying locally produced equipment!
7. This next tip applies to all surf related products and is very closely related with tip #1: donate your outworn or used material to associations! If you are anyways going to get rid of it or get a very low price by selling it, why not donate it instead? You might not be making any money but you are giving to people and in return receiving gratefulness and happiness. I don't know about you but I think it's worth it! 
8. These 7 tips have already covered many things that can be done to be an environmentally friendly surfer as an individual but there's a point when you are not surfing in the ocean and although you might not have thought of it, it has much greater repercussions than the actual act of surfing because like already mentioned it is everything that goes into the surf industry that impacts the environment negatively. The key thing to keep in mind is to take care of your environment. When you are walking to the beach, use coastal access and sidewalks and if you are driving, do not park you car on protected zones and dunes. And because surfing turns you into a starving athlete, be aware of where your snack wrappers and water bottles end up! Make sure you find a garbage or put them in your bag to throw away once home.

All in all, I think if everyone followed these 8 tips then our Earth as it is today would definitely be a lot greener. The key point you have to remember is that whatever you do, (and this actually doesn't just apply to surf) think of the impact it will have on the environment because remember: without the ocean no real surfing is going to take place!

Sources I referred to:

1. Dick-Read, Alex. "Sea Change: Surfing Used to Be an Environmental Disaster, Now It's Cleaning up Its Act." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 27 Sept. 2007. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. <http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/sea-change-surfing-used-to-be-an-environmental-disaster-now-its-cleaning-up-its-act-403703.html>.
2. Néollier, Marie-Amélie. "Surf Et Empreinte écologique." Magazine Surfsession 1 Aug. 2014: 88-92. Print.

Photo source:

Krueger, Cynthia. "How To Be An Environmentally-Friendly Surfer." Mpora. 1 June 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. <http://mpora.com/articles/environmentally-friendly-surfer>.