Catching A Wave But At What Cost The Environmental Impact Of Surfing

Title: Catching a Wave, But at What Cost: The Surprising Truth About the Environmental Impact of Surfing

Introduction

Imagine yourself standing on the sun-kissed shores of Hawaii, feeling the rush of adrenaline as you catch your first wave. For many surfers, this is an experience that evokes feelings of joy, freedom, and connection with nature. However, behind the thrill of riding the waves lies a more complex reality: the environmental impact of surfing.

In this blog post, we'll delve into the history of surfing, explore its relationship with the ocean, and examine the chemical runoff from sunscreen and surf wax that's threatening our coastal ecosystems.

A Fading Hero

The ancient Māori people of New Zealand revered surfing as a spiritual practice, using it to connect with their ancestors and the natural world. In fact, the word "surfing" itself comes from the Polynesian language, "nalu," meaning "wave."

Fast forward to the early 20th century, when surfing became a popular recreational activity around the world. The introduction of fiberglass surfboards in the 1950s and 1960s made it possible for more people to catch waves, but this also led to the rise of commercialized surfing.

The Rise of Mass Surfing

As the sport gained popularity, so did its environmental impact. The construction of large surf parks, where millions of gallons of chemicals were used to clean up and maintain the water quality, began in the 1960s. These chemical runoff systems were designed to remove excess nutrients from the water, but they also released pollutants like anesthetics, dyes, and other chemicals into the ocean.

One infamous example is the Chemawa Chemical Park in Oregon, which was built in the 1930s to treat wastewater from the nearby town of Chemawa. The park used a cocktail of chemicals, including surfactants, detergents, and pesticides, to clean up the water. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that the chemical runoff started to cause problems for marine life.

The Problem with Chemical Runoff

When surfers wipe out on their boards or splash into the ocean, they often use a variety of chemicals to remove oils from their skin and protect themselves from sunburn. However, these chemicals can contaminate the water and harm aquatic life if not disposed of properly.

In the 1990s, environmentalists began to sound the alarm about the risks of chemical runoff. They discovered that the chemicals used in surf wax, such as oxybenzone and avobenzone, were breaking down into tiny particles that could be ingested by small marine animals like sea turtles and fish.

The Chemical Cocktail

So what's in this cocktail? Here are some of the most common chemicals found in surf wax:

• Oxybenzone: a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high UV-absorbing index
• Avobenzone: another broad-spectrum sunscreen that has been linked to coral bleaching and marine life harm
• Octocrylene: an oil-soluble sunscreen that can be toxic to aquatic organisms if not disposed of properly

The Impact on Marine Life

When these chemicals enter the ocean, they can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems. Sea turtles, in particular, are vulnerable to the impacts of chemical runoff. For example, a 2018 study found that oxybenzone was accumulating in the bodies of sea turtles and causing DNA damage.

In addition, the chemical cocktail can also harm other marine life like coral reefs, shellfish, and fish. When these organisms ingest chemicals through their food chain or are exposed directly to them, they can suffer from a range of health problems.

Breaking the Cycle

So what's the solution? Here are some steps that surfers, policymakers, and manufacturers can take:

• Use reef-safe sunscreens that don't contain oxybenzone or avobenzone
• Choose organic or natural surf wax alternatives
• Dispose of chemicals properly through designated recycling programs or collection events
• Support policies that regulate chemical runoff from coastal areas

Conclusion

Surfing is a fun and rewarding sport, but it's not without its environmental costs. The impact of chemical runoff from sunscreen and surf wax must be addressed to protect our oceans and marine life. By making conscious choices about the chemicals we use and dispose of properly, we can help mitigate these problems and preserve the beauty of our coastlines for generations to come.

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