There’s nothing like gliding across a wave, sun on your face, with salty air all around. Surfing lets us feel close to the ocean, but it also reminds us how much the sea needs our care. The choices we make, from the boards we ride to the wax we use, shape the future of our favourite spots.
Sustainable surfing isn’t just a trend, it’s helping protect the beaches and waters we all love. This post will show how small changes and smarter habits are making a real difference for people, coastlines and sea life. If you want to keep catching clean waves, it’s time to give back to the places that give us so much.
Always check tide times and warning flags, and read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
Surfers tend to be a pretty eco-friendly bunch anyway, with the sport particularly popular in Cornwall, due to natural wave formations (note if you are visiting Newquay, mankinis are banned!
Eco‑friendly Surfboards
Many standard surfboards are made with polyurethane foam and polyester resin, which are oil-based and can take decades to break down. This process creates waste, uses a lot of energy, and releases carbon into the air. Eco surfboards offer a better way. They swap traditional foam for wood that biodegrades. Or plant-derived bio-resins instead of petroleum-based ones to bond everything together.
Natural materials are better, as even recycled plastic could leach microplastics into the ocean.
Otter Surfboards are made from wood (even recycled plastic surfboards could leach microplastics). Send in Flexi-Hex Surfboard Packaging.
Vegan surf wax and its benefits
Radical Wax is made from plant-based natural ingredients (rather than petroleum), and recommended by top surfers. Choose the fragrance-free version.
Not many people think about the impact of surf wax, but the choice matters. Standard wax often includes paraffin, a by-product of making petrol, as well as palm oil. Palm oil production is a major driver of deforestation in some parts of the world. Forests get cleared, wildlife disappears, and local climate patterns shift.
Vegan surf wax avoids animal fats, beeswax, and palm oil altogether. Instead, it’s made with plant or mineral oils and natural tree resins. The benefits add up:
- Palm oil-free wax helps slow rainforest loss and protects wildlife like orangutans.
- No animal products means it’s safe for anyone—plus, it works just as well as regular wax.
- Smaller carbon footprint since its key ingredients don’t come from fossil fuels.
For surfers, vegan wax feels just as grippy. You’re picking up waves without putting forests at risk.
Organic Cotton Clothing for Surfers
Surf Kernow is a Cornish clothing brand that designs organic cotton surf t-shirts that are made with green energy in India. Everything is Fair Wear certified.
Renting Natural Rubber Wetsuits
Wetsuits are not perfect (they are made with neoprene, a synthetic material). But rather than buy new, Finisterre rents out wetsuits made with natural rubber that produce 80% less CO2 than most materials (also in versions for women).
Why clean water matters to surfers
Surfers are often the first to notice water problems. When rivers carry sewage, litter, or chemicals into the ocean, it doesn’t just smell bad—it hits surfers’ health and ruins wave quality. Dirty water can mean rashes, ear infections, and even stomach issues. Worse, pollution damages sea life, coral reefs, and the fragile balance that creates perfect surf breaks.
Clean water isn’t just nice, it’s key to keeping the sport alive. That’s why groups like Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) work with local communities to spot pollution and fight for better regulation.
Here’s why this work matters so much:
- Better health for everyone who paddles out, especially kids and beginners.
- Stronger sea life that builds up reefs, keeping waves cleaner and more consistent.
- Cleaner beaches so you don’t come in from a session covered in mystery foam or plastic.
- Surfers Against Sewage is a charity that was founded in Cornwall, by concerned surfers over local sewage issues. Today it’s a major charity that campaigns politically against illegal discharge of raw sewage. You can report water pollution to them.
SAS says if brown foamy water is lapping at the shore and ‘smells funky – it’s probably shit’.
This is a wonderful organisation that has now gone beyond surfing issues. You can get involved in volunteer beach cleans, and was instrumental in bringing about the ban on single-use plastic cotton buds.
What Causes Sewage Pollution?
The main cause is Sewer Overflows (it’s legal for water companies to discharge untreated wastewater during heavy rain periods, but this is now happening more on a routine basis, using an old system that can’t cope). Major investment is needed, but instead the big water companies are giving out billions in dividends instead.
In 2023, Anglian Water was fined £2.65 million for letting untreated sewage overflow into the North Sea due to decommissioning equipment, and failed to act on data due to no alarm system). This is to date, England’s largest ever environmental fine.
Many people get ill from swimming in our seas and rivers. You can submit a sickness report to help their monitoring and campaigning. Risks include gastroenteritis, hepatitis and E.coli (bodyguards and wild swimmers are three times more likely, to carry this antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their guts).
Campaigns Against Plastic Pollution
Nearly all the ocean’s plastic has now sunk to the seafloor, so the only way to clean up our seas, is to stop using plastic in the first place (and this includes using tools like microfibre filters to catch microplastics in washing machines, and choosing a mostly zero waste lifestyle (reusable over disposable etc).
Already the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (a whirlpool of ocean currents that collects plastic debris) is twice the size of France, with oceanographer Charles Moore predicting it will double in size soon, if lifestyles don’t change.
Choosing local, sustainable surf spots
Long road trips might sound appealing but driving for hours just to surf a wave adds a lot to your carbon footprint. Surfers can cut travel emissions by picking local beaches where possible. Fewer car or plane trips mean less fuel burned and less pollution in the air.
Sticking close to home has other perks:
- Less travel, more time for surfing with family or friends.
- Reduces crowding at the most famous surf spots.
When you do head out, stay mindful of the ocean itself—especially if you surf reefs or delicate shorelines. Simple habits protect these spots so they hold up for years of enjoyment:
- Enter and exit at marked spots to avoid trampling coral or dune plants.
- Don’t stand or rest on coral, as even a small knock can break it.
- Avoid dropping fins, boards, or rubbish that might scrape or choke living reefs.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect fragile marine life in those crystal-clear waters.
Respecting your local break isn’t just good manners, it’s a way to make sure the best days keep coming back, season after season.
Zero‑waste surf kit
Having a “zero-waste kit” is one of the simplest ways to keep rubbish off the beach. It takes little effort to stick these basics in your bag before every session, but it adds up fast.
Here’s what belongs in a zero-waste surf kit:
- Reusable water bottle: Skip single-use plastic bottles. A good one stays cool, never leaks, and saves you money week after week.
- Biodegradable sunscreen: Ocean-safe sun creams skip harsh chemicals, so you can protect your skin and the sea at the same time. Wash off before pets kiss you, due to toxic zinc oxide.
- Reusable bag for trash: Tuck a spare cloth bag or tote into your kit. Use it for your own rubbish or even fill it during a two-minute beach clean after your session.
SAS proves that surfers can act as watchdogs for the sea. Their campaigns remind everyone: if you paddle out, you have a say in what gets poured into your line-up.
Surfing England’s Sustainable Spots
If you want to see how eco-friendly surfing is taking shape in England, a few places set the bar high. Surfers here know the coastlines need care, and many have made choices that protect the sea while keeping the waves plenty of fun. These are not just good surf spots; they show how different communities pitch in and look after the oceans together.
Cornwall’s eco‑surf hubs
Cornwall has led the way for surf culture in England, and its green side is just as strong. Across hotspots like Newquay, St Ives, and Polzeath, you’ll see surf shops that have swapped new, plastic-heavy boards for ones using recycled foam, plant oils, or even algae blends.
Many places add in board repair services, so fewer boards end up in landfills just because of a cracked rail or old ding. In Cornwall, looking after gear for longer—and choosing wisely the first time—is seen as standard, not something you only do when it’s cool.
Northumberland’s clean‑water coast
Up in Northumberland, the surf scene may be quieter but the water often feels noticeably cleaner. Here, cold waves break over sandy bays and few holiday crowds mean less rubbish. One key reason is community action. Local groups keep a close eye on water quality, with some even tracking water samples near the most popular breaks.
Instead of waiting for a sewage scare, these groups stay a step ahead:
- Monthly checks on water quality—regular monitoring highlights issues fast.
- Reports shared online: everyone in the community can see when water is safe.
- Swift action when problems appear. Any sign of pollution or sewage leads straight to local councils, which tend to act fast given Northumberland’s focus on clean coasts for tourism and nature.
There are also simple signs of pride: you’ll spot clean beaches, tidy car parks, and bins placed where surfers actually finish their sessions. Local surf shops often post water quality updates or share beach clean dates in the window. Even on cold, quiet days, you see a few locals picking up bits of rubbish on their way back to the car.
Devon’s community‑run surf clubs
Head to Devon and you’ll find a tight-knit group of surf clubs that blend surfing with real community work. Many clubs are either non-profit or rely on volunteers, and eco-friendly action is part of their day-to-day routine. Clubs at Croyde, Bantham, and Saunton take special care in keeping their beaches plastic-free.
What sets these clubs apart is how they get everyone involved, not just the keenest surfers. Beach clean-ups happen monthly. Some clubs have a “lend-before-you-buy” gear scheme, so new and visiting surfers can try eco-boards and plant-based wetsuits.
By tying club events to environmental action, these groups make going green part of the fun. Beach barbecues follow clean-ups, creating a friendly vibe and keeping people keen to come back. Nobody’s perfect but in Devon, you see a lot of people trying—turning a simple surf session into something that benefits the whole coast.
Conclusion
Sustainable surfing starts with small swaps and smart habits that any surfer can pick up. Choosing planet-friendly gear, joining a local clean-up, or packing a reusable bottle all make a difference. The ocean gives so much back, so it feels right to give a little effort in return.
If every surf session leads to one greener choice, the results add up fast. Try one tip from this guide on your next beach day, and see how easy it is to keep your favourite spot healthy. Thanks for reading and for being part of the group shaping a better future for our coasts.
