“Surf-thirsty travellers aren’t just seeking out the perennial fav surf, yoga and a good brekkie to boot combo for their breaks. Savvy consumers are increasing their own knowledge and interest around sustainability, spanning choices through our carbon footprints, to what we eat, how we travel, consume and even boards we surf. Sophie Everard analyses the metamorphosis of travel and how ecologically aware travellers have never had it easier to make better choices.”

SURFGIRL Magazine Editorial, Summer 2021

“The momentum of this generation’s desire to be more ecologically savvy certainly feels like it’s reaching its zenith in 2021. Hot off the release of the global phenomenon, documentary Seaspiracy, which has spanned endless conversations, raising awareness over the issues of mass-fishing, consumers are taking firmer stances when it comes to the impacts their everyday choices have on our planet. Consciousness around the urgently pressing issue of climate change’s impact on our planet is abundant, with recent catastrophic events including the Australian and Californian fires and of course, the global pandemic, hitting raw nerves and impacting millions world-wide.

For surfers, we arguably have a front row seat to witness the brunt of climate change and pollution's impact on the planet. Many favourite breaks have been horrendously choked with waste and plastic, fishing nets and of course much worse, and such is our relationship with the ocean, as we submerge ourselves into the waves, we submerge ourselves into the stark reality of the condition of our planet. This of course doesn’t take into account those who suffer the impacts of climate change and mass-pollution the most, often in low-income countries and communities.

Fortunately, many surfers have taken a firm stance and as a result holiday operators are sustainably focussed packages when it comes to surf holidays. This is expanding continuously, Peter Hanssen of La Point surf camps believes this increase in desire from surf travellers is part of “an overall increase in awareness. Many people are buying organic food, clothing and trying to reduce their CO2 and plastic footprint in their day to day life. I think it’s only natural that you would prefer to buy services as well from a company that shares these same values. We are stoked to see that people become very aware about sustainability and look for alternatives to mainstream tourism for their holidays.”

The Vegan Surf Camp in Moliets-Plage on the southwest coast of France cites their ethos as a non profit organization “is to offer a sustainable holiday, to gather people and to create an exchange about veganism and the environment.” Holly Chandler (and Philipa Hartley (the 'Pips') founders of bespoke travel company Fish&Pips believe particularly with surfing, it “brings you closer to nature, surfers become more and more aware about the necessity to change into a sustainable society and respect our environment.”

3 CHOICES FOR A SUSTAINABLY MINDED SURF TRIP

LA POINT, Costa Rica, Portugal, Norway and Spain/Canaries.

La Point camps have been carbon offsetting since 2017, measuring everything they do in the company from electricity to transport, staff flights and everything at the camps. They offer beach clean ups, vegetarian options in every meal, and started meat free mondays globally at camps.

www.lapointcamps.com

FEELVIANA IN PORTUGAL

In 2020, Feel Viana was granted with the EU Ecolabel – a label of environmental excellence, clearly reflecting the hotels policy to use renewable energy, save energy and water, reduce waste and improve the local environment. www.fishandpips.co.uk

THE VEGAN SURF CAMP, FRANCE

The Vegan Surf Camp partner up with organic wholesalers and select only ecological and seasonal products with a minimum of packaging. The camp is constructed by using as many eco-friendly materials as they can, and they are partners of “Surfrider Foundation Europe”, organising beach cleans. The Camp also partner up eco-friendly surfboard shapers and local organic farmers, bringing them organic wastes for composting.

www.Vegansurfcamp.com