Being Green While Enjoying the Big Blue

by Paul Finley

This month we had the awesome privilege of receiving a wonderful gift, the birth of our third daughter. With the all encompassing reminders of new life and the responsibility of having something fragile to care for and nurture, it seems like a fitting moment to look at our obligations as surfers and ocean goers of the Central Coast, and to look at ways we can do our part in being mindful and environmentally responsive.

Baby Daughter

The difference in being aware of a need and being responsive is that the later takes effort and action. There are a couple seemingly small things that I can think of that enter my life everyday in which I have an opportunity to be environmentally responsive.

Surfboards

When choosing a surfboard, we have the opportunity to select stronger and more durable materials. This is not only going to save your wallet from a constant attack, but it is also going to help reduce the amount of waste surfers are contributing to dumps and landfills. If you have a board and are not taking care of it, reconsider. Repair your dings properly with more than wax or a sticker. On a side note, duct tape is not a water tight seal. Once again, a good repair is going to save you money in the long run and keep your board in the water.

Don't let your board bake in the sun. Resin becomes more and more brittle as it is exposed to ultra-violet light. This leads to cracks or board breakage. If possible, purchase a board bag or some form of protective cover for transporting. You may be surprised at how many fewer dings you will seem to get if your board is protected when out of the water.

Wetsuits

Just as with surfboards, wetsuits need proper care. Try not to leave your wetsuit crumpled up in a ball after surfing. This not only leads to a most heinous smell, but it also makes the seams crack much faster. Try to wash your suit with neoprene shampoo periodically. This conditions it and also gets rid of some of that funky smell. Just like surfboards, the sun can really speed up the aging process of a suit. Hang your suit out of direct sunlight if possible.

With our foggy days around here, we have a little more natural protection from over exposure, but it is still import to be responsive and not just aware. Wetsuit repairs are available locally and often reasonably priced. You may get a little more life out of your suit if just a couple of leaky spots are sealed. Hypothermia is not a valiant way to show your environmental responsiveness, so use your own discretion when it comes to the timing of replacing your suit.

Trash

We all see it at the beach—fast food wrappers and bags, plastic bottles and soda cans. I have walked by and haven't done a thing, thinking that someone else will pick it up. Most likely that someone else is thinking the same about someone else. I am aware, but have not always been responsive. Pick it up. We all know this, let's do it.

I would love for my children and the next generations to see the beaches and coastal area that we enjoy more beautifully preserved and maintained than we see them now. We have the awesome privilege of being aware and responsive. The genesis is from the small things that we encounter day-in and day-out.