Responsible surfing to reduce environmental impact

For many people, surfing is a philosophy of life closely related to respect for nature. In our collective memory, we have formed an idyllic image of paradisiacal beaches and people who are healthy, balanced and connected to nature.

However, if we enlarge this image, we can appreciate its imperfections. Around the world of surfing, there is a well-oiled, multi-billion dollar industry that, with few exceptions, has little concern for the environment.

If we want to surf and, at the same time, respect our environment, we must take into account several factors.

How do you surf responsibly?

The first thing to do is to stop and analyse the composition of the materials of the equipment we use: the board, the wetsuit and all the products that serve to keep them in good condition.

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- Surfboards: Surfboards are usually made in a conventional way with three main ingredients which are a foam core covered by fibreglass and polyester resin to harden it.

These materials are now being replaced by biodegradable and environmentally friendly starch-based materials such as potatoes, bananas or wheat.

Hemp, algae oil or agave substitutes are also often being used to make sustainable fibreglass foam.

- Neoprene wetsuits: Neoprene is an environmentally toxic material as it comes from the petrochemical industry and contains PVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride).

In order to make the suits more environmentally friendly, more and more plant-based materials are being used to achieve the same elastic and thermal finish.

- Waxes or paraffin waxes: Paraffin waxes are waxes that are used to keep surfboards non-slip so that the athlete does not slip when standing on them.

This substance is very harmful to marine organisms because it also comes from synthetic oils from the petrochemical industry.

However, several brands of biodegradable and environmentally friendly soy-based paraffin waxes are now available that do not leave any toxic residues in the ocean.

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When doing water sports, it is essential to use sunscreen to prevent sunburn.

Such products usually contain numerous chemical components which, although they help to protect our skin, can be very damaging to the natural environment.

In fact, the consumption of sunscreens is linked to allergies and coral bleaching, as well as affecting the life of more marine flora and fauna.

Even if it is not sports equipment, there are ways to reduce the impact on the environment. We are talking about ecological and biodegradable sunscreens that do not pollute the sea.

Fortunately, in the Canary Islands, there are already companies that manufacture all the necessary equipment to practice this water sport with respect for the environment. For this reason, it won't be difficult to find the material you need if you look for it in the right place.

At Senda Ecoway, we strongly value our natural environment and its conservation. For this reason, our commitment is always to offer unique experiences in tune with sustainability. Our aim is to practice Signature and Sustainable Tourism all in one.

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