3 Environmentally-Safe Products Surfers Can Use To Keep the Oceans Clean

Surfers are obsessed with the responsibilities that revolve around environmental protection, and it would be logical to think that surfing is unharmful to the environment right? 

When you critically think about it, the products that Surfing OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) make can potentially be harmful to the ocean. 

In this sense, we are talking about the construction of fiberglass or foam boards, the substitution of neoprene in wetsuits, and replacement of petroleum-based chemicals in surf wax. 

Fortunately, these chemical processes have been refined and companies like Patagonia (for wetsuits) and the Channel Island’s Ecoboard Program (for surfboards) are championing for eco-friendly equipment. 

In order to remain compliant with EPA and SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturers Association) standards, surfboard manufacturers use EPS foam, hemp fiberglass, and agave cactus. 

Surfline mentions that mushrooms have been used to build foam cores in surfboards, yet another alternative. 

(See Sustainable Surfboards: Everything You Wanted To Know)

The use of neoprene is slowly decreasing in the role of wetsuit production. 

Patagonia was the first wetsuit manufacturer to develop a neoprene-free wetsuit. 

Another company that produces a neoprene-free wetsuit series is Vissla.

Vissla specifically use “Natural Prene,” which is a natural rubber foam harvested from renewable rubber trees. 

When buying a new surfboard or wetsuit, keep in mind that your purchase could affect the environment and that it is important to buy surfing equipment that do meet EPA criteria and standards. 

It’s been widely known that surf wax is typically chemical-based using paraffin as the main ingredient, which causes not only harm to the oceans, but also people’s skin. 

Refined petroleum is used to create paraffin, made of hydrocarbon molecules, and when used by surfers they innocently and inadvertently release carbons into our oceans.

In addition, paraffin is heavily bleached before it is sold on the market. 

This process emits dioxins which are extremely toxic chemicals known to cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, and can cause cancer. 

These are some of the major reasons YEW!’s formulas utilize all-natural ingredients, primarily beeswax, to create their surf wax.

Chemical-free surf wax is better for your skin when applying to your board, which also eliminates unnecessary polluting of the ocean each time you go surfing.

Before you paddle out next time, consider the impact you can make by simply using an alternative surf wax such as YEW!’s. 

You can check out the 4 different water temperature surf waxes offered here.

YEW!