Looking after our beaches and environment has never been more important. The time has come where we have to stop taking our environment, oceans and beaches for granted and, instead, do our bit to ensure they are to be enjoyed by future generations to come.

For most of us surfers, the ocean is one of Mother Earth’s most loved treasures. Many surfers I know consider it their second home, their safe place, their sanctuary which they turn to whenever they feel they need to.

We here at Star Surf Camps have been running surf holidays to some of the most beautiful locations and beaches across Europe and feel a strong sense of caring for and protecting our beaches and oceans. The beaches and the oceans we teach on and surf in are especially important to us as a provider of surf holidays because, quite plainly, without them, we’d have nothing to offer our surf camp guests.

For many of our surf holiday guests who learn to surf with us, the picturesque locations and long sandy beaches are the main draw for selecting us as their surf camp of choice. And each week, we strive to share our passion for our beautiful planet, its beaches and oceans with them.

As a surf camp provider, we try to be as environmentally friendly as we possible can in our surf camps

1. We organise beach cleans

Where local regulations allow it, we organise weekly beach cleans with our surf camp team and invite surf camp guests to join us for them. It does make such a huge difference when we come together as a surf camp for a weekly beach clean up. The amounts of plastic that are washed up on our beaches each year are significant and, as they say, every little helps! It’s also great way to meet your fellow surf campers while doing something good for the planet. What’s not to love? Exactly!

2. We recycle & offer free refills

Reusing and recycling are key to a more sustainable future. We don’t use plastic bottles and have recycling systems enforced to ensure we can do our best for a greener environment. All of our surf camps have a number of freshwater drinking taps dotted around where you can fill your glass directly or use a reusable water container to store up for a day at the beach. The pipes are well underground giving us fresh and cool water with unlimited demand. It’s also a popular hangout spot of the surf camps to chat, flirt or gossip!

3. We use local and natural materials

We try to utilise natural materials we have access to that come from close to our surf camps’ locations where possible. Our Moliets Surf Camps and Moliets Surf & Yoga Camp, for example, are situated in traditional French pine forests and we have an abundance of pine at our disposal. All our chill-out areas as well as our communal dining areas are created from solid pine wood. All wood is treated to ensure its lifespan is maxed out.

We have also ditched plasticky airbeds with short lifespans and have instead invested in high quality, memory foam mattresses. With the exterior cover designed for hospitals, they are very hygienic and easy to clean. And with memory foam inside, they as good as guarantee sweet surf camp dreams!

4. We love Veggies & Vegans

We see a huge trend in vegetarian and vegan diets in a lot of our surf camp guests who are conscious of global sustainability. Whether you choose a vegetarian or vegan diet based on environmental reasons, animal welfare or health choices, we at Star Surf Camps salute you have got you covered.

5. We support the locals

Sustainability does not always mean looking after our environment and having a minimal impact on our natural surroundings. For us, it also means being connected to the local area of our surf camps we are lucky enough to be welcomed into. That’s why we support local shops, bars, cafés and restaurants that rely on surf holidaymakers and the trade with our “Eat Out Nights”. And vice versa, our surf camp guests get to immerse themselves in the local culture and its delicacies, so it’s a win win!

More on our sustainable surf camps can be found here

Easily!

1. Leave nothing behind

When leaving the beach, have a quick look around and ensure you have left nothing behind.

2. Use more ethical products

Despite a large amount of surfing equipment being made out of non-recyclable materials, there is a shift happening. So spend a little bit of time shopping around and you will find some awesome surf businesses offering more eco-friendly products. 

3. BYO reusable cup

Bring reusable water and coffee cups on your surf trip or when going to the beach and don’t buy single use plastic bottles. The planet thanks you!

4. Reduce your carbon footprint by choosing more sustainable travel options

— Travel by Boat: Check out Brittany Ferries who offer crossings of the British Channel.

— Long-distance Coach Travel: We can help you organise your long-distance coach travel to our surf camps from all over Europe through our partner company. Alternatively, both Eurolines and Flixbus offer cheap long-distance coach travel options to our surf camps.

— Using International Rail: Cheap international rail fares can be found here. 

— Car Share: Since many of our surf holiday guests like to road trip to our surf camps, check out our dedicated Car Sharing Facebook group where individual travellers can link together, meet up and share the journey down to France

5. Donate to or volunteer for charities that protect our environment

If you have the time, why not give a few hours each week and support an excellent cause. The Surfrider Foundation and Surfers Against Sewage SAS are great charities trying to protect our oceans and beaches.