Surfing as a destroyer of the environment?
There's not really a day goes by when I don't come across a article or blog post about how toxic we are as surfers.
Too much resin, fibre glass horror stories, surfing air miles or the 700 barrels of oil it takes to make one bootie… it's pretty relentless.
It's easy to see why though, as a surfer we have a very intimate relationship to our sporting arena, and it's all too easy to see the damage that is and could be done to it and the surrounding environment, no surprise we are 'conscious' in every sense of the word.
Maybe it's our guilt that we are having such a fucking great time there must be something to pay, some downside, somewhere?
Surfing IS awesome and yes some of it's by products are toxic but should we beat ourselves up too badly?
maybe…
We as a bunch are probably one of the most forward thinking consumers in the world, we are actually affecting the way producers produce. Wooden boards, recycled materials, pressure groups… the list goes on. Just think of Patagonia, Surfers Against Sewage, Surfers Path and you get the impression how surf related businesses try to be as aware and as green as possible.
Comparable sports compared to these high standards have a woeful reputation…
Not picking on any particular sport as we all cross pollinate, but what exactly is the impact of the amount of concrete in Wembley Stadium or water consumed by any 18 holes or the F1 circus jetting around the globe, compared to you and I and our surf equipment? Non of it is great admittedly but our record is pretty good I'd say.
Footballers against Concrete
Golfers against Water Wastage
FI Drivers against Air Miles
Still waiting for these… :)
We still have loads to do… but surf and feel good…
