12 Ways to Be an Ocean-Friendly Surfer

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Surfing’s all about having fun and feeling free, but the ocean you love isn’t invincible. Your choices as a surfer can help improve the environment’s health or wear it down. Fortunately, a few minor tweaks can make a big difference.

How Does Surfing Impact the Environment?

Surfing connects you to the ocean, but it’s not without an environmental cost. From the materials you use to how you travel, the sport leaves a bigger footprint than you might realize.

Surfboard and Wetsuit Production

Most traditional surfboards are made from polyurethane foam, fiberglass and polyester resin. These petroleum-based materials require significant energy to produce and release harmful chemicals during manufacturing. Wetsuits made from conventional neoprene also have a heavy carbon footprint and can take decades to break down in landfills. 

Carbon Emissions from Travel

Many surfers chase waves far from home, traveling by car or plane. This quest for the perfect break contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, especially if you make multiple trips in one season. Even local surf trips can add up over time if they rely on fossil fuel-based transportation.

Sunscreen Pollution

Certain sunscreen ingredients, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, are toxic to coral reefs and marine organisms. When these chemicals wash off your skin in the water, they can disrupt marine life growth and reproduction, contributing to reef bleaching and long-term ecosystem damage. 

Plastic and Trash on Beaches

There’s almost more plastic waste in the oceans than fish. Surfers often spend hours at the beach, but that can come with the risk of generating litter. Even small amounts of plastic waste, like snack wrappers, bottle caps or cigarette butts, can harm seabirds, fish and turtles. Once in the ocean, plastic breaks down into microplastics that remain in the environment indefinitely. 

Habitat Disturbance

Walking through sand dunes, stepping on coral or paddling through seagrass beds can cause lasting harm to fragile coastal ecosystems. In popular surf spots, constant human presence can erode dunes, damage vegetation and disrupt nesting areas for wildlife. 

12 Environment-Friendly Surfing Tips

Surfing doesn’t have to come at the ocean’s expense. With mindful habits and a few small shifts in how you approach the sport, you can help protect the waters while still chasing swells.

1. Choose Sustainable Boards and Wetsuits 

Traditional surfboards made from petroleum-based materials are difficult to recycle. When possible, opt for boards made from:

• Recycled foam blanks
• Plant-based resins
• Sustainably harvested wood

The same goes for wetsuits. Neoprene production is energy-intensive and polluting, so look for natural rubber alternatives like Yulex or limestone-based neoprene. They can cost a bit more, but last longer and leave a smaller footprint.

2. Maintain, Repair and Reuse 

A scratch doesn’t mean your board’s done. Repairing gear rather than replacing it saves money and reduces waste. Learn basic fixes for dings and wetsuit tears, or support local repair shops. Passing on older boards to beginners is another way to keep gear in use and out of landfills.

3. Respect Marine Life 

Keep your distance from marine life like dolphins and turtles and avoid sudden movements that might disturb them. Onshore, give nestling seabirds and turtles space by steering clear of roped-off areas. Remember, you’re in their territory. 

4. Support Brands That Support the Ocean 

Your money is your vote. Choose surf brands that actively give back, whether through donations to reef restoration, beach cleanups or sustainable supply chains. Check a company’s transparency on sourcing, manufacturing and shipping. If a brand hides its practices, that’s a red flag. 

5. Say No to Single-Use Plastics 

From food wrappers to bottled drinks, single-use plastics are ocean enemies. Pack your beach snacks in reusable containers. Bring a refillable water bottle and skip the straws, plastic cutlery and plastic shopping bags. Polystyrene (Styrofoam) is dangerous to wildlife and comprises 10% to 40% of plastics found in waterways. If your favorite cafe still uses disposable cups or polystyrene, bring your own mug or tumbler. 

6. Join or Start Beach Cleanups 

Beach cleanups protect wildlife, improve water quality and create community. Join organized efforts or do your own two-minute beach clean before or after each surf session. It may seem like a small act, but it can have a big ripple effect.

7. Respect the Habitat 

When surfing reef breaks, use established paddle-out channels to avoid damaging coral. At sandy breaks, don’t trample on dunes or vegetation on your way to the water. Follow local surf etiquette to prevent collisions and minimize environmental harm.

8. Travel With a Lighter Carbon Footprint 

Surfers are explorers by nature, but travel has a cost. When chasing waves far from home:

• Fly direct when possible.
• Pack efficiently to avoid excess baggage weight.
• Carpool to the beach with friends.
• Bike or walk to the beach if you’re local.

9. Reduce Sunscreen Pollution

Many sunscreens can harm coral reefs and marine life. Choose reef-safe sunscreens made with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Better yet, pair that with protective surf gear like long-sleeve rash guards to reduce how much sunscreen you need.

10. Keep Your Wax Ocean-Friendly

Standard surf wax often contains petrochemicals. Opt for plant-based, biodegradable waxes. They work just as well and don’t add toxins to the water. 

11. Be a Voice for the Ocean

Your habits can influence others. Share tips on ocean-friendly surfing with your crew, post about conservation efforts on social media, and support petitions and policies that protect marine environments. Even casual conversations can spread awareness.

12. Give Back to Local Communities 

If you’re surfing abroad, remember that the ocean’s health is tied to the local community’s health. Support local guides, buy from small businesses and respect cultural practices. In many places, tourism can be a double-edged sword, but your respect can keep it balanced. 

Why You Should Protect the Oceans

The ocean covers more than 70% of the planet’s surface and is crucial for sustaining life on Earth. It produces over half of the world’s oxygen, absorbs a significant portion of carbon dioxide and regulates the climate by distributing heat around the globe. The ocean is the planet’s life support system.

It is also home to incredible biodiversity, including countless species of fish, coral and plants that depend on healthy marine ecosystems to survive. Many coastal communities rely on the ocean for food, income and cultural traditions. Fisheries, tourism and ocean-related recreation all contribute billions to the global economy each year.

Unfortunately, human activities have put immense pressure on ocean health. Pollution from plastics, chemicals and sewerage damages marine habitats and threatens wildlife. Overfishing depletes fish populations faster than they can reproduce, risking the collapse of entire ecosystems. Climate change is raising ocean temperatures and acidifying seawater, which harms coral reefs and other sensitive species.

Protecting the ocean means preserving its vital functions and resources for the environment and future generations. A healthy ocean supports biodiversity, stabilizes the climate, and provides economic and recreational opportunities. When an ocean suffers, the global population will feel the consequences through food insecurity, loss of livelihoods, extreme weather and declining quality of life.  

Ride Green, Surf Clean

Protecting the ocean is important for everyone, whether you surf, swim or just love the beach. The ocean affects the climate, food and economy, so keeping it healthy matters. Small actions add up. If you do your part, you can help ensure the ocean stays clean and thriving for years to come.