Top UK surfer Lucy Campbell says surfing must be greener

Campbell, in the recent BBC report, said industry players were relying on boards and wetsuits mass-produced from petrochemicals that creates tonnes of waste annually. 

"It's often hard to turn down a big pay cheque, if they're a brand that isn't sustainable, but it's definitely more worthwhile in the long run," Campbell was quoted as saying.

"I think that they need to take the onus and make that difference. It may come at a higher price but I think eventually that price will come down as technology advances."

Industry players, however, said it is developing new sustainable boards and the world's first fully recycled wetsuit.

Surf Industry Members Association said it was proud of the environmental progress being made and that businesses had donated up to US$80m to the work of environmental organisations.

surf company Finisterre is developing a wetsuit made from recycled neoprene suits, which it says would be a world first. It collected nearly 1,000 old suits to create a recycled rubber that they are currently testing.

Dr Greg Borne, a social scientist at Plymouth Marjon University, said he was hopeful about the industry's efforts to tackle its environmental impact.

Click here to read the BBC report.

Image: Lucy Campbell / Instagram