Do you spend hours in the water, live by the rhythm of the tides, watch the conditions like others watch the snow forecast? If so, you're part of a family of water sports enthusiasts.
But when you love the sea or the ocean, you also have a responsibility: to protect it. protect.
Practising a water sport is already a step towards a life more in touch with nature. But that doesn't mean you have zero impact. Transport, equipment, waste, chemicals... all leave their mark.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce your carbon footprint without sacrificing the pleasure of gliding, swimming or sailing.
Rethinking travel
Most of your carbon impact does not necessarily come from your practice itself... but from the kilometres travelled to reach the spot.
- Favours nearby spots There's no point in driving 3 hours if there's a good session waiting for you 30 minutes away.
- Carpool with other riders What's more, it's an opportunity to share good tips.
- Use a bike + trailer for short journeys: practical, fun and emission-free!
- Optimise your trips If you're going far away, stay in the area for several days and combine sessions.
Choosing more responsible equipment
Boards, wetsuits, wings, paddles... a lot of equipment is still made from polluting plastics, resins and composites. But alternatives are making progress.
At Mellow SeaFor example, our wetsuits are made of neoprene limestone ultra-stretch and free from toxic solvents, to last as long as possible.
You can also :
- Choose second-hand equipment.
- Repair rather than replace (wetsuit, leash, etc.)
- Recycle or donate your old equipment to schools or charities.
Be careful what you leave in the water
Sunscreen, wax, shampoo, microplastics... without meaning to, we can pollute even during a session.
To do :
- Use sun cream mineral and nanoparticle-free - See Sunda
- Choose a biodegradable wax (and a clean one, like your glide)
- Don't wash your suit with chemical soap directly in nature - clean water will do.
- Pick up what you find on the spot: one less piece of rubbish is something.
Maintaining your equipment to make it last
The longer your equipment lasts, the fewer resources you need to replace it.
Simple maintenance :
- Rinse your suit in fresh water after each session and dry it in the shade.
- Repair a small tear as soon as possible (rather than waiting for it to become a large hole).
In a nutshell
You can't totally erase your carbon footprint. But you can reduce realistically.
And the more people who are passionate about doing these small things, the greater the collective impact. Because a clean and preserved ocean is also a livelier, wilder... and more enjoyable ocean.
