Green Fever

2006 saw the emergence of “green” products offered by many surf companies, a trend seemingly dictated by the political climate of the day. Organic clothing has suddenly entered into the catalogs of Sector Nine, OP, and Planet Earth. The organic surf wax company, Matunas Surf Wax, was a hit at the 2006 ASR trade show and will be shortly appearing in surf shops across San Diego (ask for it). Sector 9’s bamboo skateboards were hitting the streets without making an impact on the earth’s’ forests. In addition, longtime eco-friendly outdoor/surf company Patagonia opened a new store across the street from Cardiff Reef.
The green movement has also been seen in the pages of surf magazines. 2006 saw the release of recycled paper in all issues for SURFER Magazine and Surfing got in the act this year with the first official “Green Issue.” The original recycled paper surf magazine, Surfer’s Path, held the 1st Annual Green Wave Awards and promoted the efforts and achievements for sustainability and environmental consciousness in the surfing world.

Green Law
Rarely does San Diego legislation directly have an effect on the surfing world. However, the June passage of a smoking ban at all San Diego City beaches and parks should reduce the amount of butts that end up polluting the sand and water. San Diego joins more than 30 California locales that have outlawed smoking in one place or another, after Solana Beach was the first to ban smoking at beaches in 2003.