With over 80 days of BP Oil spilling into our treasured ocean, President Obama has declared this tragedy as the nation’s worst environmental disaster. Researchers have estimated that between 35,000 barrels (about 1.5 million gallons) and 60,000 barrels (about 2.5 million gallons) of oil was gushing into the gulf every day, during the height of the spill.Before this monumental spill, most people could only imagine the environmental impacts of something derived from petroleum, now the reality has far surpassed any of the images we may have conjured up.

Regardless of your political views or your level of compassion for the environment, reducing dependence on oil and oil-derived chemicals is important. Plain and simple, it’s foolish to put all your eggs in one basket.

That being said, the surf industry is in over its head; petroleum based neoprene wetsuits, petroleum based wax, etc. These products are derived from chemicals that would make even the harshest environmental opponents cringe. However, the more environmentally friendly trade-off
has finally caught up to the competition. No longer is a sacrifice in performance required when choosing to use eco-friendly surf products.

With wetsuit companies like Patagonia and Matuse now making limestone based wetsuits more widely available, some of the most flexible and warmest suits on the market are now more environmentally friendly than ever before.

Matunas Surf Wax and Famous Surf Accessories have made great strides in producing surf wax and traction that is either made from recycled scraps or all-natural and 100% organic, yet withstands any test against its petroleum based competition.

The bottom line is that the surf industry has an amazing opportunity to make a small contribution to a much greater movement. By choosing eco-friendly surf products, you’re funding a movement toward a more environmentally friendly industry that surfers will not longer need to
turn a blind eye toward.

About Jared:

Jared is a new author to Sustainable Style.  He is the Vice President of Marketing for Envirosurfer, an online surf shop that only promotes eco-friendly surf products like Patagonia wetsuits.  Envirosurfer exists to make the top eco-friendly surf clothing and surf products available to surfers looking to make a difference. In addition, a portion of each sale on our site is donated directly to various environmental organizations that are fighting the daily battles on the front lines.  Not only will your purchase push the surf industry to begin more environmentally friendly practices, but you’ll be funding organizations devoted to cleaning up the mess that’s already been created.