Surf duo and ELI students, Ruby Wedbush and Emma Sayre, share that "as surfers, we collectively consume an astounding three-quarters of a million boards each year. Shockingly, only a small fraction of these boards are constructed from sustainable, biodegradable, or recyclable materials, highlighting a significant environmental concern within the surfing community." In response to this pressing issue, Emma and Ruby have founded Sustainable Surfers with a clear mission: to cultivate an environmentally-conscious community of surfers in Isla Vista. Their goal is not only to raise awareness but also to actively promote the purchase of used equipment over new, reducing our ecological footprint. They hosted their first sustainable surf swap event in winter quarter and are gearing up for the second event this quarter.
Join Sustainable Surfers for their upcoming surf swap event on Sunday, May 19th, from 12 PM to 3 PM, at 6861 Trigo Road. Bring along any boards or surf equipment you're ready to part with, whether for swapping, selling, or donating. It's an opportunity to extend the lifespan of our gear and reduce our ecological footprint.
There will also be:
● Local artists showcasing and selling their art and surf photography (interested artists encouraged to reach out for participation)
● A wetsuit recycling drive, providing a responsible solution for disposing of old, unsalvageable wetsuits
● Opportunities to sign petitions advocating for the protection of our precious oceans
● A collage station offering the opportunity to transform old surf magazines into artistic creations (we'll supply the surf mags, but feel free to bring your own)
Moreover, participation in the swap automatically enters attendees into a raffle, offering prizes such as natural sunscreen from Avasol, $50 gift cards from Backyard Bowls, Riviera Towel Co. goodies, and even a whale-watching excursion!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to join the movement towards a more sustainable surfing culture and preserve the oceans we love.
For more information, follow along on instagram @UCSBsustainablesurfers and join the slack channel.
Email rubywedbush (at) ucsb.edu or DM our instagram if you have any questions or want to get involved!
