The start of a new year often brings that desire for a "clean slate." When you live for the ocean, that resolution usually involves more time in the water, catching more waves. But as we look toward 2026, there is a bigger challenge shifting over the horizon: how do we protect the playground we love?
There is no argument that surfing connects us to nature, yet traditional "surf gear" is often surprisingly heavy on the planet—from petroleum-based waxes to single-use plastics. At Green Planet Surfer, we believe in being able to “Sustain the ride”. It’s about making small, intentional swaps that ensure the ocean stays healthy for the next generation of chargers.
Here are five ways you can make your surf sessions more sustainable in 2026.
1. Ditch the Petroleum: Switch to Eco-Wax
Traditional surf wax is often made from paraffin—a by product of the petroleum industry—and can contain synthetic fragrances and bleaches that end up in the water. In 2026, make the switch to natural, toxic free, beeswax-based alternative.
Our Green Planet Eco Surf Wax is handcrafted to give you that high-performance grip without the toxic runoff. It’s a small swap that makes a massive difference to the reefs and sea life directly beneath your board.
2. Surf training out of the water (Even When It's Flat)
The most sustainable board is the one you already own. To keep your surf muscles firing and reduce the urge to buy "the next best thing" for your quiver, focus on longevity and skill.
When the swell is down, don't drive from beach to beach burning fuel. Instead, grab a Balance Board. It’s the ultimate tool for the "No Surf, No Worries" type days. By training your core and fine-tuning your weight distribution at home, you’re ensuring that when the swell does hit, you’re ready to making every wave count.
3. Clean Up Your Post-Surf Ritual
The "surf check" and the "post-surf debrief" are sacred rituals. However, they often involve a takeaway coffee cup that ends up in a bin (or worse, the sand dunes).
Make 2026 the year of the reusable. Keep a Green Planet Reusable Cup in your car. Our cups are designed to match your coastal aesthetic and keep your coffee hot or cold, long after you’ve left the beech. It’s one less piece of plastic in the ocean for every dawn patrol you pull.
4. Choose Sustainable Cloths
What you wear on the beach matters as much as what you wear in the water. Fast fashion is one of the world's leading polluters. This year, prioritize GOTS-certified organic cotton for your après-surf gear.
Unlike synthetic blends, organic cotton T-shirts don’t shed microplastics in the wash and are grown without harmful pesticides. Looking for quality over quantity means your favourite "lucky surf tee" will actually last until 2027 and beyond.
5. Leave the Beach Better Than You Found It
It’s an oldie but a goodie: Take 3 for the Sea. In 2026, let’s make this a community standard. Before you head back to the car, pick up three pieces of rubbish.
Whether it's a stray bottle cap or a discarded fishing line, these small actions added up across the entire Green Planet Surfer community create a tidal wave of change.
Join the 2026 Journey
Surfing sustainably isn't about being perfect; it’s about being intentional. Whether it’s choosing better wax or finding your centre on a balance board, every choice is a vote for the future of our oceans.
Ready to start your sustainable year? [Explore the Conscious Collection here] and let’s sustain the ride together.