Purchasing your stick from a local dude or dudette is infinitely kinder on the environment and ultimately our ocean. Historically, regardless of the toxic nature of traditional and mainstream surfboard manufacture the simple fact that most boards were produced by local shapers to service their local markets made them better than the supply chain we are seeing in today’s world. Although on one hand the surfing community has become so much more educated on how harmful surfboard manufacturing is and the impact it can have on both the ocean environment and the people entrusted to shape our revered guns, on the other hand the nature of global trade and the ever increasing popularity of surfing worldwide has resulted in mass produced imitations being churned out at an alarming rate from our Asian counterparts.

What’s so bad about this you say? Now everyone can get a board cheap as chips and enjoy the stoke just like us. Well, besides the fact that the local break may be much less crowded, there are a few ecological reasons for stemming the flow of cheaply produced boards… 1) developed countries have more stringent environmental and safety standards which result in much less emission of toxic chemicals into the general environment and better treatment of workers (although the average shapers apprentice may dispute that one); 2) the energy used by developing countries in general is way higher, resulting in a more pollution-intensive manufacturing process and 3) outsourcing board manufacture offshore results in lost local jobs, a diminishing of the local community structure and a high energy toll from transporting worldwide.

Above all else, purchasing cheap alternatives is not only hurting your local shaper, it’s ultimately hurting your local break. And we’re sure that’s a travesty we’d all rather avoid. If only we could think with our hearts and not our wallets next time we purchase a new ride.

“The claims of a 20 cent price rise from a national container deposits scheme are just wrong and should be ignored.  All the economic research from real world systems show it is simply impossible that an efficient CDS (unlike the NT one managed by the industry) would have an extra 10 cents on top of the deposit – in fact the Boomerang Alliance scheme developed from best practice systems would have no extra fee.”

Here at Surfing Green we’re all about keeping plastic waste to a minimum and out of our oceans. We love to support Tim and Take 3 in their quest to have container deposit schemes reinstated and think it would be nice if people looked at the huge positives associated with these schemes and what they are actually trying to acheive. To read more about what Tim has to say on the issue, please click here.

“The WaveTribe leash is the Toyota Prius of the surfing world.”

Thank you guys for the rad review (see below).

RE-CYCLED

The 6ft WaveTribe leash is the world’s only recycled surfboard leash. The cord is made from recycled urethane, and doesn’t sacrifice strength in the process. The leash feels just as sturdy as a regular leash, but with the added bonus of ‘carbon karma’. In the Polzeath line up, I found myself striking up conversations about leashes so I could boast about how mine was recycled; and how that made me a better person! The WaveTribe leash is the Toyota Prius of the surfing world. The velcro is exactly as it says on the tin – strong like bull; and it’s got a safety release tag. An ideal everyday leash.

Verdict:

A great all-rounder; with added eco chi, for a competitive price.

Nice to see evidence in mainstream mags that the eco leash easily measures up to the ‘plastic fantastics’!!

Bamboo Eco Fin

These fab new eco fins are brand new in stock this week! Be the first to get your hands on these great looking and sustainable fins. We love all things sustainable and functional, and these fins tick both boxes! Check them out in store today.

Come one come all!! Join us next Wednesday from 6pm at The J, Noosa Junction for a FREE (yes, that’s right!) event. Tim Silverwood of Take 3 will be showcasing his film, Bag It and Surfing Green will be there with HEAPS of goodies on display and freebies to win too. We’re looking forward to supporting this local event with a couple of local shapers who specialise in eco boards attending too. It’ll be a great night and there’s nothing on TV Wednesday anyway! Check out more info here.

See them in store here and get a bonus ECO ACCESSORY PACK valued at $400 for FREE!! You’ll be grinning with this winner.

Interview with Derek Dodds, Founder of Wave Tribe from Michael Caruso on Vimeo.

These are perfect for that backyard or school project and anyone can complete them. Order one for you and a mate and do it together – great for a father/son project too. Whatever you choose – go for it!