🌱 Riding the Green Wave | Building a Sustainable Surf Culture

🌱 Riding the Green Wave | Building a Sustainable Surf Culture

Surfing is about connection: to the ocean, to waves, to moments of pure presence. But much of what we ride and wear today damages the very waters we depend on. Wetsuits made from neoprene, wax full of microplastics, and fibreglass surfboards that only last a couple of years... none of this is sustainable.

It’s time to rethink how we gear up. Because environmentally friendly doesn’t mean sacrificing performance: it means investing in products that last longer, perform better, and offset their footprint over time.

The Hidden Cost of Surf Gear

Wetsuits

  • Traditional neoprene is petrochemical-based and doesn’t biodegrade. Once dumped, it sits in landfills for decades.

  • Neoprene production also generates high CO₂ emissions, making every wetsuit part of the problem. (Yulex, 2024).

Surf Wax

  • Standard paraffin wax comes from petroleum. When it flakes off in the water, it contributes to microplastic pollution.

  • Surf wax use is estimated to contribute 86 tons of microplastics to oceans every year. (Green Planet Surfer, 2024).

Surfboards

  • A single fibreglass surfboard has a lifecycle footprint of 270 kg CO₂e.

  • Most boards are made with foam cores, fibreglass, and polyester resin: hard to recycle, toxic to make, and prone to breaking. (Surf Outlook, 2022).

What “Sustainable” Really Means

True sustainability in surf isn’t just about slapping a green label on a product. It’s about:

  • Lifespan: products that last longer, so you replace less.

  • Materials: shifting away from petroleum-based, toxic, or single-use components.

  • End of life: gear that can be repaired, recycled, or upcycled rather than trashed.

Eco-friendly options may cost more up front, but their durability pays off in both performance and reduced environmental impact.

Alternatives That Work

  • Eco wetsuits → Plant-based rubbers like Yulex® and Hevea are replacing petrochemical neoprene, cutting emissions and landfill waste. See South Australian Manufacturer Cheer and learn more. 

  • Eco wax → Beeswax and plant-based blends reduce microplastics in the ocean.

  • Eco boards → “Ecoboard” projects are experimenting with recycled foam, bio-resins, and improved durability.

  • Wax-free traction: KRAK Pads → Our solution. A wax-free deck grip made from hydrophobic EVA foam with a 3D diamond cut. No mess, no melting, and consistent traction every time. KRAK Pads last far longer than a block of wax, reduce plastic pollution, and protect your board from dings and snaps.

KRAK Pads: More grip. More control. No slip.

Surf Smarter

The ocean gives us everything. We owe it to the waves to surf smarter. Here’s how:

  • Buy less, buy better → Invest in durable, eco-designed gear that will last.

  • Ditch the wax → Go wax-free with sustainable traction solutions like KRAK Pads.

  • Repair before replacing → Patch wetsuits, fix dings, and extend product life. see OiWetsuit Repairs.

  • Support eco innovation → Choose brands pushing alternatives in wetsuits, boards, and accessories.

Final Word

Surfing is about being locked in: to the moment, to the wave, to the earth itself. If our gear is harming the ocean, that connection isn’t honest. Choosing products that last longer and pollute less is about more than sustainability: it’s about respect.

With every session, every paddle, and every send, we can protect what matters most.

 

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