“It May Come at a Higher Price but…”: 7x Champ Makes an Appeal to the Surfing Community on an Important Social Issue

One of Britain’s greatest female surfers, Lucy Campbell actively works to promote sustainability in the surfing industry. Last year, she became the brand ambassador of the skincare brand NIVEA. It pledged to produce 100 pieces of reusable packages by 2025. Joining hands with similar eco-friendly programs, Campbell recently took another eco-conscious decision. She intends to aspire the surfing industry to change for the better. 

On May 16, BBC reported about Lucy Campbell’s new initiative towards saving the environment. The seven-times British women’s champion explained that although her decision is tough, it will prevent the way surfing harms the planet. 

Lucy Campbell decides to take eco-conscious brand deals

In her BBC interview, Lucy Campbell shared that the surfing industry needed to seriously analyze the manufacturing process of surfboards and wetsuits. Every year, the industry produces tons of wetsuits and surfboards made from petrochemicals, a biodegradable substance that easily contaminates the ocean. According to the research paper, The Surfboard Cradle-to-Grave Project, a single surfboard made from epoxy resins when exported across the globe, could be responsible for emitting 250 kg of carbon dioxide. 

Moreover, nearly 8000 wetsuits made from neoprene end up as waste in landfill areas every year. This highly affects the soil health of the planet. Therefore, considering the harm caused by wetsuits and surfboards, Campbell told BBC that she will be only collaborating with sustainable surfing brands. She explained that although it is tough to discard the big paychecks offered by non-sustainable brands, yet it will be a worthwhile decision in the long run. 

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“I think that they need to take the onus and make that difference. It may come at a higher price but I think eventually that price will come down as technology advances.” She added that all surfing brands should take it as their responsibility to become sustainable. The surfer believed that affording eco-friendly manufacturing processes might be costly at the beginning for brands, but the prices will go down eventually when the demand for sustainability increases. 

Besides Lucy Campbell, World Surf League, the biggest surfing organization, also recognizes the damage done to the ocean. Hence, in 2016, it took responsibility to protect the marine environment. 

World Surf League’s initiative to save its surfing arena

Recently, Emily Hofer, WSL’s Chief People Officer, addressed the issue of climatic change and environmental degradation in an interview with Sports Illustrated. She explained, “It’s essential to the future of our sport to protect our global ocean.” 

Hoffer told that in 2016, the WSL created its non-profit unit called WSL Pure. Under its holistic ocean-saving program, it did a commendable job of collecting 100 tons of plastic from Indonesia’s river and also seeded heat-resistant coral reefs in Tahiti. Nevertheless, surfers Carissa Moore and Filipe Toledo also joined hands with the organization to protect the environment with eco-friendly programs.

Surfers like Lucy Campbell and Carissa Moore are doing their bit to protect the planet. With small steps, surfing shall soon become a completely sustainable sport.

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