The Wozzle goes carbon neutral

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Surfpolitik

When it comes to environmental credentials it helps if the punters have their skeptic-sensors finely honed. It's an emotive minefield but a productive marketplace, and so tokenism abounds.

Exhibit A:

Just over a month ago it was Earth Day in Australia. Offices all around Sydney were encouraged to turn their lights off.
This week it's the Vivid Festival in Sydney, which is the opposite of Earth Day: The Opera House is illuminated with electronic projections and searchlights have turned the CBD into Nuremburg, 1937.

Exhibit B:

Between 2010 and 2015 Dirk Ziff was investing in shale oil basins in Queensland and Dakota, USA, and oil tar sand in Athabasca, Canada.
Today, the Wozzle - his pet investment - announced it's "leading the way for global professional sports by becoming carbon neutral."

Fossil fuels one day, wind farms the next.

There are indeed great projects out there, ones that don't deserve to be marginalised by cynical bastards such as myself, but reading between the relentless waves of greenwash is a wearisome business. It's easier to be apathetic, which is what disengenuous 'green' marketing promotes - a distrust of everything.

So how to take the latest press release from the Wozzle?

I want to believe. I genuinely do...

See if you do too.

LOS ANGELES, Calif./USA (Tuesday, June 4, 2019) - The World Surf League (WSL) today announced a series of sustainability commitments that set a new standard for global professional sports. These commitments – designed to inspire, educate and empower ocean lovers while addressing critical environmental issues – apply to all WSL Championship Tour and Big Wave Tour events and include:  

  • Becoming carbon neutral globally by the end of 2019; 
  • Eliminating single-serve plastics by the end of 2019; and 
  • Leaving each place better than it was found. 

This effort builds on the WSL’s existing ocean conservation efforts, including WSL PURE, its non-profit arm, which stands for Protecting Understanding and Respecting the Environment. As part of its announcement today, the WSL is also launching a global marketing campaign and inviting members of the ocean community to make the PURE pledge to “Stop Trashing Waves” and join a worldwide paddle out on June 15 in honor of International Surfing Day, founded by the Surfrider Foundation. 

“The WSL is incredibly proud to break new ground in sports in the urgent battle against climate change and ocean pollution,” said WSL CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “We believe it’s our responsibility to be ‘all in’ with our efforts to protect the ocean and beaches amid the devastating climate crisis we all face. We invite everyone who cares about the ocean to join us."

"The WSL will also reduce its carbon footprint by regionalizing its operation, limiting non-essential travel and implementing policies to reduce carbon emissions at its offices."

Some facts that have propelled the WSL to make these commitments:

  • Because of increased global temperatures, the ocean has absorbed more than 90 percent of the excess heat in the atmosphere, which causes more frequent and intense storms and dangerously rising sea levels.¹
  • Approximately 30 percent of the carbon in the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean, causing acidification that harms coral reefs and other marine life.² 
  • Plastics break down into small microparticles that are ingested by marine life, ultimately entering the food we eat and water we drink.³

The specifics of the WSL commitments include:  Becoming carbon neutral globally by the end of 2019, including at WSL Championship Tour and Big Wave Tour events: The WSL is offsetting its carbon footprint by investing in and supporting projects such as REDD+ (reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) and VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) certified carbon offset projects that have a focus on restoring and protecting natural ecosystems and renewable energy ecosystems and are based in each of the WSL’s regions. For example:

  • In Asia Pacific: The Katingan Mentaya project in Borneo is a REDD+ peat swamp forest that fights deforestation from mining and palm oil plantations. VCS and Triple Gold Certified project recognized for its positive social impacts (34 communities; 45k people) and biodiversity (5 Critically Endangered, 8 Endangered, and 31 Vulnerable species).
  • In South America: The Santa Vitoria do Palmar and Chui wind farm in Brazil (a United Nations Clean Development Mechanism Certified Emission Reduction project) which powers 400,000 homes, and the ceramic factories of Argibem, São Sebastião, and Vulcão which run on renewable biomass instead of native timber from endangered and unique Brazilian ecosystems, and also has positive social impacts in the community schools. 
  • In Africa: The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trustlocated in Kenya, which supports the Chyulu Hills REDD+ project to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation, restores biodiversity and creates alternative livelihoods.
  • In North America: Almost 24,000 acres of Redwood forest protected from traditional logging to store carbon and safeguard endangered wildlife (Coho Salmon and Northern Spotted Owl) in the coastal watersheds of the Garcia River Forests in Mendocino County. 

"Eliminating single-serve plastics from WSL Championship Tour and Big Wave Tour events by the end of 2019"

The WSL will also reduce its carbon footprint by regionalizing its operation, limiting non-essential travel and implementing policies to reduce carbon emissions at its offices.

The WSL carbon offset program is calculated and curated in partnership with STOKE (Sustainable Tourism & Outdoors Kit for Evaluation), a certification organization with standards built specifically for surf and mountain tourism operators, destinations, and affiliated events.

Eliminating single-serve plastics from WSL Championship Tour and Big Wave Tour events by the end of 2019: The WSL is specifically targeting items related to food-service like bottled beverages, cutlery, and cups, as these single-serve items are often not recyclable.

The WSL already provides clean drinking water stations for fans to refill their bottles and choose compostable materials where possible for food service. 

Leaving each WSL Championship Tour and Big Wave Tour stop better than it was found: The WSL is reducing its event footprint and developing a financial grant program to commit money to local projects and non-profits that are working to safeguard our coasts and protect these habitats. 

“So stoked that the WSL is setting this amazing example, and I hope all other professional sports follow their lead – and soon!” said Dr. Ayana Johnson, marine biologist and founder of Ocean Collectiv and Urban Ocean Lab. “Where governments fail to lead, business can and should step all the way up to address our intertwined climate and biodiversity crises.”
 
"I think it's a great stance and an important message to send to people around the world,” said 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater. “The ocean is vital to everyone, for food, for oxygen and especially to us surfers. I think everyone should make it their priority to care about this issue and make changes in their lives to help."

As part of the commitment, the WSL is launching a multi-faceted digital and print marketing campaign, titled “Stop Trashing Waves.” Creative features pro surfers Conner Coffin, Filipe Toledo, Carissa Moore, Coco Ho, Tatiana Weston Webb, Paige Alms, Greg Long, Kai Lenny, and Bianca Valenti and will appear across social media and other platforms. 

“In the sport of surfing and beyond, it’s imperative that we all act immediately,” said Reece Pacheco, WSL SVP Ocean Responsibility and Executive Director, WSL PURE. “Looking ahead, we plan to inspire more and more people to join us in reducing and offsetting their emissions through our upcoming carbon calculator and offset platform.” 

Comments

gm14's picture
gm14's picture
gm14 Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 12:51pm

#StopTrashingWaves hey, not sure if the hashtags going to cut through in the China's and Indo's of the world where all the trashing is coming from, but sure every little bit helps. i'll continue to use my keep cup and try cut down my waste which i guess is the point

scottishsponger's picture
scottishsponger's picture
scottishsponger Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 9:55pm

Not all the trashing is coming from China and Indonesia. Anyone who consumes commercial seafood is trashing the ocean considerably more than single-use plastics are. The impacts of industrial fishing and its by-catch are destroying biodiversity, fish stocks and a range of marine life. Trawling is what’s really trashing the oceans.

kookfactor's picture
kookfactor's picture
kookfactor Monday, 10 Jun 2019 at 3:57pm

Yep not a truer word spoken there Scottie. After the last storm here the amount of rope/poly floats and those fuckin blue bait carton strap thingys washed up is obscene, does the fishing industry care.....nope. Its a disgrace what they are allowed to do and get away with. Quota's Schmota's.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 12:59pm

Carbon neutral wave pools, can't wait.

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 1:01pm

"Woooo hooooo" said the Northern Spotted Owl.

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Friday, 7 Jun 2019 at 4:57pm

Well played!

derra83's picture
derra83's picture
derra83 Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 1:15pm

You cant fault the plastics campaign.

daisy duke kahanamoku's picture
daisy duke kahanamoku's picture
daisy duke kaha... Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 1:20pm

What's your surfboard made from?

scottishsponger's picture
scottishsponger's picture
scottishsponger Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 9:56pm

Bioresin and recycled foam offcuts, why? What’s yours made from?

RWilly's picture
RWilly's picture
RWilly Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 1:30pm

Meanwhile the unnecessary use of jetskis in the lineup add to water pollution and carbon levels in the ocean. The use of drones affect local birds in the air and wildlife in the area. Not to mention having Jeep as a sponsor, a company promoting the ownership of a gas guzzling 4WD over an economical car so one can do aerials in the sand, gleefully destroying natural habitats in the process.

Great they are getting rid of plastics for catering though and donating to local preservation groups. It's a start.

scottishsponger's picture
scottishsponger's picture
scottishsponger Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 9:58pm

Good points Willy. Plastic is a real problem but there’s plenty of bigger ones that are conveniently ignored.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 1:41pm

Pisstake anyway you spin it.

Take your unnecessary and often unwanted surf league and fuck right off if you want to look like you give a fuck.

I’ll watch cause I love surfing, but I can’t wait for the day your surf league fails and you get back under the rock you emerged from Dirk.

Grubby parasite acting like he’s doing the world a favour.

freerider.'s picture
freerider.'s picture
freerider. Saturday, 8 Jun 2019 at 4:56pm

well said......

garyg1412's picture
garyg1412's picture
garyg1412 Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 2:06pm

Apathy being the WSL's biggest hurdle publicly on this commitment. Too many posers riding the sustainable green wave nowadays which is a shame really.
Good on them if they are genuine though!!!

pcrisp's picture
pcrisp's picture
pcrisp Friday, 7 Jun 2019 at 10:06am

the plastics and rubbish in oceans is warranted but believing the climate change crap from the global illuminati agenda is against what the surfing culture has always been about

philosurphizingkerching's picture
philosurphizingkerching's picture
philosurphizing... Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 2:09pm

People who live in coal fired houses shouldn't throw stones.

Laurie McGinness's picture
Laurie McGinness's picture
Laurie McGinness Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 2:17pm

The only thing more pathetic than these attempts at sustainability would be........... to continue doing nothing. If they are serious about regionalising then at the very least we should hear less from some of their more grating commentators ........ no names, but I think we have a new champion in that area.
More seriously, I am not aware of other pro sports with much greater footprints doing anything so give them at least a morsel of credit and, if you have better policy suggestion send them in.

garyg1412's picture
garyg1412's picture
garyg1412 Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 2:24pm

C'mon Laurie give us a name!!! We all love hearing about new champions.

mugofsunshine's picture
mugofsunshine's picture
mugofsunshine Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 5:11pm

Maclaren/Mercedes F1 team have been carbon neutral since 2012.

scottishsponger's picture
scottishsponger's picture
scottishsponger Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 10:00pm

If true, that is genuinely impressive.

Duesouth's picture
Duesouth's picture
Duesouth Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 2:37pm

I wonder how big their footprint actually is? I wondered when they would chirp up and jump on the green bandwagon. It seemed laughable the lip service paid to the environment with the wsl's straws off beaches campaign while flying the circus around the globe, all the while the climate change elephant in the room is recking havoc. As a species, i think we're doomed. But, hey, its kind of a start...and i agree, only thing worse is doing nothing.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 2:44pm

"The WSL will also reduce its carbon footprint by regionalizing its operation, limiting non-essential travel and implementing policies to reduce carbon emissions at its offices."

Limiting non-essential travel?

Cut the tour in half numbers wise, have a southern hemisphere season and a northern hemisphere season. Two day comps.
Fuck the entourages off.

Regionalizing the operation?

Easy.
The stronghold for pro surfing is Australia with 3CT's not USA with none (OK, one private wave pool event).
Move headquarters back to Gold Coast.

That should have been first order of business if they are in any way remotely serious.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 5:11pm

.

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 3:44pm

Yep i think this ^ pretty much sums to all up.

garyg1412's picture
garyg1412's picture
garyg1412 Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 4:06pm

"He wants the surfing market to expand to create profits for his investments. Expanding the surfing market increases pressure on every surf break on Earth , leading to a decrease in the enjoyment of surfing for every surfer on Earth"

Bit of a long bow you're drawing there Blowin - didn't that horse bolt some time ago.

heals's picture
heals's picture
heals Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 3:30pm

Righteous, and 100% right.

Now take a breath!

ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 4:33pm

agree with blowin. and with laurie mcg

at least they have identified specific things they are doing. some of it is vague (“non-essential travel”, “regionalisation”) but there is some detail in there that can be followed up on, observed, and checked on so it is a move in the right direction.

but with blowin - all the bloodsucking dirks need to step up or fuck off. i’m not holding my breath

mugofsunshine's picture
mugofsunshine's picture
mugofsunshine Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 5:15pm

10 competition boards for the year with points penalties for changes.

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 6:02pm

Yep, sadly Dirk will have to ditch the Jeep sponsorship to avoid encouraging suburban mums and dads to go booting off road every five minutes to rip up some dirt road or dune system so they can post a selfie on FB of how radical and non-suburban they are.

Way too much fossil fuel and impact.

Other suggestions to lower footprint:
- Potts and Turps need to commentate from an unlit shipping container in the USA - travel saved, plus no more greedy Potts taking waves off the pros before the contest.
- Judges can just watch video replays from the container next door

Heaps of travel saved by not shipping these people all around the world just to judge and commentate off videos they could watch live back in the USA.

So many possibilities to help save the planet….

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 6:00pm

Getting rid of Pottz and Joey would go along way towards reducing emisisons.

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 6:49pm

This is really good news, totally the way they should go. We all focus on them, they are on a pedestal in the surfing world. It's a bit like V8 supercars going to E85, which was a good move.

May I suggest they tackle surfboards? Make a strict set of wood-only guidelines, throw the evolution of board development to the best shapers and surfers in the world with the brief of making the toughest, best performing fully renewable board. In motor racing of old (not today), the races were conducted to do extreme reliability trials of parts - make the tour this, for new renewable equipment.

No foam inserts or blown foam interiors - just wood. No glass and resin, if you can achieve it. The ancient Hawaiians used an oil to cover the boards. The exercise would be absolutely fascinating. (And yes I know UCSD has created algal PU foam, but it still pollutes like foam...)

From our own experimentation with paulownia, the board feels heavier but gains a "lightness" of buoyancy when in the water. It seems to have more momentum and loves finding the more hollow sections of the wave. It still can turn radically like it's foam cousin.

Also, think of the graphic of the bonfire before a comp "praying for waves". (carbon neutral)

Edit: all the jet flights could use some renewably sourced fuel, some form of ethanol. Worked for the Zeros in WW2 and they revved higher for it.

philosurphizingkerching's picture
philosurphizingkerching's picture
philosurphizing... Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 12:57pm

No glass or resin if you can achieve it.
Definitely achievable.
Paulownia HWS sealed with orange tung oil.
Wooden board number 5 I used this method and it surfed great.
My latest build is a compsand because I am doing a flex experiment and need a layer of 4oz over 5mm deck skin and 4mm bottom skin.
Invented a way to build a compsand without using a vacuum bag and expensive compressor.

Paulownia HWS sealed with orange tung oil is the only type of board my brother makes for himself and he has been surfing them for several years now and they have held up really well.
The only slight negative is the tung oil wears off on the rails where the inside of your legs rub.

I was recently checking out a video where a wooden mallet head was infused with resin to make it stronger using a vacuum tank.
It wouldn't be difficult to build a surfboard size tank and infuse tung oil into the finished paulownia surfboard if you were going to produce on a bigger scale

Then there is Grant Newbys compsand method where he takes you through the whole process and then seals the board with lanolin.
https://surfboardsbygrantnewby.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2017-07-1...
Scroll down a bit.

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Friday, 7 Jun 2019 at 5:03pm

Thanks so much for this phil! I will re-read it later and work out how to apply to wood board #2. Great link too, I'd be interested in going total wood so ditch the EPS... maybe plank on frame underneath and breathers...

Is compsand something I already know, but under a different name perhaps?

I hope that not too many Orange Tungs were harmed in the production of the oil :)
(haha, will research it)

Hamishnic's picture
Hamishnic's picture
Hamishnic Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 7:34pm

It seems like a great contradiction of the Ziff's current image with the WSL that they own the Stuart Shale Oil Project in Queensland, which they ruthlessly took control of by giving a ~$30 million dollar loan to SPP, before calling in the administrators (their loan was secured) and buying everything back for less than the value of their loan.

I wonder if they do the same thing to Kelly when the wavepool isn't making money.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 7:40pm

Too much money isn’t enough.

Got to have it all.

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 7:50pm

How the fuck would they be able to work out their "the WSL" collective carbon footprint and become carbon neutral anyway ?.
Is there some pimply guy in an office somewhere working this shit out to the exact amount,, looking over every low ranked QS surfers fuel bills , air travel etc, all the way up to the higher level of corporate hierarchy and its circus infrastructure?.,,
And then some other dude with a goaty and a ponytail ,with a framed selfy with Di Natale on his desk ,,in another office working out how many trees to plant and straws to remove to counter it?

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 9:30pm

that's exactly how it works

belly's picture
belly's picture
belly Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 10:02am

Yep, @Tubeshooter there's pretty well accepted assumptions that cover the main emissions. Multiply by # of surfers and support staff and they have a reasonable idea.

At least they're encouraging the conversation. Maybe Kelly doesn't know about Dirks other investments, maybe Kelly might take it upon itself learn more about Dirks entire portfolio and have a chat with Dirk about values and consistency. Thanks to Stu for raising in the first place.

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Friday, 7 Jun 2019 at 5:04pm

I was thinking more the pimply guy and the guy with the framed selfie with Di Natale... (have worked with enviro depts and did the calculations on similar stuff when I was pimply...)

Thegrowingtrend.com's picture
Thegrowingtrend.com's picture
Thegrowingtrend.com Wednesday, 5 Jun 2019 at 8:31pm

Bee Carbon Positive

Billyw's picture
Billyw's picture
Billyw Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 5:12am

But

Bsm17's picture
Bsm17's picture
Bsm17 Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 9:13am

The whole surf industry is a joke when it comes to enviromental issues. We all protest and sign partitions to stop oil companies and coal mines, but are one of the first to benifit from these resources. Wetsuits, surfboards, leg ropes, jetskis, air flights, drones are not enviromentally friendly and even if they were the process to make them are not.
Wsl is just following corperate companies like Patagonia, making money off people feeling like their making a contribution to the enviroment. If they really wanted to make a difference, how about a cause that puts the enviroment before profits. Yeah right!

belly's picture
belly's picture
belly Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 10:04am

If the surf industry is a joke what does that make the federal government?

Bsm17's picture
Bsm17's picture
Bsm17 Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 4:03pm

Much the same, money comes first. Though there will never be change without the average joe willing to pay for it. Whether its more expensive electricity or environmentally friendly surfboards. We all want change but are we willing to sacrifice for it.

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Friday, 7 Jun 2019 at 5:06pm

This is the essence of the matter. Bingo.

wax-on-danielson's picture
wax-on-danielson's picture
wax-on-danielson Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 9:33am

If governments won't do anything it is up to individuals and corporations to take action but without goverment enforcements there is no actual pressure for anyone to do anything. So with no pressure to do anything I guess acknowledging the situation is something. Hopefully it is put into actual action and not just marketing. Supporting the carbon-offset market is a positive because it creates more financial demand to protect forests, plant trees and move to renewable energy.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 10:18am

All good points, WOD, and I agree with them, but I just get this feeling with the WSL...

In Boris Pasternak's 'Dr Zhivago', the eponymous doctor makes an observation that the men who were succesful capitalists before the revolution were now on the make in the new Communist order, climbing the ranks of the Bolsheviks, wielding power to divert resources and fill their own coffers. There were no principles at stake, the men just adapted to game whatever system was in place.

Same goes Dirk Ziff.

I struggle to reconcile a guy who made many, many millions on fossil fuels just a few years ago, now greenwashing his organisation to make it carbon neutral.

wax-on-danielson's picture
wax-on-danielson's picture
wax-on-danielson Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 10:53am

Maybe now Dirk’s rich he cares less about money and more about doing the right thing, I think a lot of people would have that change of conscience when they could afford to. Or perhaps he feels guilty for his prior polluting capitalist ways. Or perhaps he still cares mostly about money and it is a conscious marketing decision for WSL to identify itself as innovative and cutting edge and caring about 21st century issues like the environment, equal pay and travelling to Mars.
Either way, as the benefactor of a capitalist pig’s actions I will say it beats watching the footy.

Hamishnic's picture
Hamishnic's picture
Hamishnic Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 11:47am

Roger that Stu,

For the life of me - can’t reconcile how a guy who has control of enormous shale oil deposits can promote his pro surfing organisation barracking against drilling in the bite..

spookypt's picture
spookypt's picture
spookypt Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 10:07am

Watching the Pros's bob around at Keramas with the rubbish bobbing just outside the surf zone did raise the eyebrows a little. They didn't santize the surf zone nor the view but they did the commentary about it. Hmmm
Mind you the WSL going CN made me laugh almost as hard as what I heard on the ABC radio this morning that a new zillion $ industry as yet untapped and one that can make us all evenly wealthy and do good by the planet is ....wait for it....Carbon Farming!!!! I reckon I laughed for about 10kms after that! Snake oil anyone?

ringmaster's picture
ringmaster's picture
ringmaster Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 10:14am

I limited my shower this morning to 8.5 minutes instead of the usual 10. Gunna go for 8.0 tomorrow. I'm certainly walkin' the talk!

What about the rest of you girls?

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 5:27pm

I washed myself with a rag on a stick.

mr mick's picture
mr mick's picture
mr mick Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 7:39pm

I didn't wash.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 7:56pm

That's the spirit.

kookfactor's picture
kookfactor's picture
kookfactor Monday, 10 Jun 2019 at 4:05pm

I used my own urine...taking recycling too far?

mr mick's picture
mr mick's picture
mr mick Monday, 10 Jun 2019 at 4:56pm

No way,,, you didn't.....i think you're taking the piss!!

Gra Murdoch's picture
Gra Murdoch's picture
Gra Murdoch Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 11:08am

Nitpicky I know but geez it shits me when there's not the tiniest evidence of remorse or sense of 'what a waste' or acknowledgement of consequence any time a board is snapped in competition – it really makes disposability seem acceptable, even kind of admirable. Just doesn't reconcile with the pious 'the ocean gives us so much' carry on... in fact it PRECISELY reinforces the give-a-fuck attitude that's helped get us in this mess.

heals's picture
heals's picture
heals Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 11:47am

It's not nitpicky but insightful, Gra. It's hard to take on board their message of sustainability when they don't endorse it themselves. Maurice Cole suggested the WSL kickstart development by forcing surfers to ride sustainable boards, just like F1 did, and it's hard to argue against. With investment comes advances and I've no doubt that through innovation, sustainable boards would perform as well as PU/PE.

kookfactor's picture
kookfactor's picture
kookfactor Monday, 10 Jun 2019 at 4:09pm

I guess/hope for every broken board there's some grom frothing nearby to recover the pieces and patch it up to ride like his/her shiny surf idol did.

philosurphizingkerching's picture
philosurphizingkerching's picture
philosurphizing... Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 1:14pm

If fridges and washing machines can have an energy rating why cant surfboards have a durability and strength rating.
Surely the first step in migrating the surfboard industry toward composite technology would be to simply add a paulownia deck skin (compsand) say 3 or 4mm, to surfboards with 4 ounce glass jobs.

D-Rex's picture
D-Rex's picture
D-Rex Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 12:26pm

The most obvious way swellnetonians can save the planet is by sending less comments to the forum. This could be followed by:
living in a cave
subsistence farming/hunting
dying at a young age
Look forward to most of you heeding this sage advice.

Laurie McGinness's picture
Laurie McGinness's picture
Laurie McGinness Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 4:49pm

414ppm and rising at near record levels. I have tried to remain optimistic about humanity's ability to address the issue but it gets harder all the time. There are lots of things we can do as individuals and collectively but until the major emitters decide to do something, that number will continue to rise and have no doubt, we are buying every ppm with the lives of those caught in the unfolding mayhem.

Bsm17's picture
Bsm17's picture
Bsm17 Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 7:05pm

Ive got an old beat up single fin from the 70's thats still is goes alright. How many boards post 1990's could you say that about. And how many of us truely need light high performance boards. With more durable boards even if you don't want it anymore the resale value is still quite high.

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 7:08pm

Each of the regions set to benefit will be receiving a statue of Dirk .

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 7:12pm

Methane is a very bad greenhouse gas. The wozzle should issue all staff and the top 32 with butt plugs to prevent emmisions with balloons attached capturing gas through the day. Then the gas can be compressed into fuel to power dirk's private jet.

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Friday, 7 Jun 2019 at 5:11pm
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 6 Jun 2019 at 10:11pm

Great write-up Stu! (Not an easy one!) Equally excellent are the crew's comments!

50 race cars ghosting the CBD rids smog from 1m cars/day.(Carbon neutral-Award!)
50 CBD surfers racing around the world to trash a Marine Park is not as rewarding.

WSL Jetset free XXXL surplus Marine Debris to any pristine corner of the earth .
As said above... The Jeep pick-up burns gas fields to all remote ends of the Earth.
Jet Ski leg burns fuel tanker for biggest seas polluting the once pristine Marine Park.
Jet Ski noise vibrates the waves but travels 4 x faster & louder undersea...(when?)
Rattling marine sanctuary critters confusing migration tracking & mating calls.

The fibreglass/paint combo breaks down as 195 parts/litre in top 2mm of Ocean.
That's Right! Fibreglass skimming shimmery fibreglass.(Weirdos call it...'surfing!')

US / EPA: "Jet Skis are the largest source of Sea Pollution!"
1989 Exxon Valdez 42 million litre spill (Jet Skis create 15 x greater oil spill/year)

So just where would WSL the World's most disgraceful polluter like to begin!
Perhaps a U-Turn with the Racing Cars back to surf Olympic Wave Pool Stadium?

WSL Wave Pool drains 1.14m litres/day
Nuclear Power Plants (Huge Guzzlers) Are 5x more efficient than WSL Wave Pool.
CBD is 50 x more water efficient than WSL Kelly Gang wading pool!

[factcheck] WSL Wave Pool surfer wastes 50 x more water than each swellnetonian.
New Gen Wave Pools a blight on Surfing...All drained as if bathwater- mid drought.

City wading pool to Antarctic Tsunami -WSL are the world's biggest polluters.
Tbb thanks WSL for wishing to turn it around & crew for keeping them honest.

WSL: Little Lisa's marine debris roundup to feed sea biscuits to Seaworld Porpoises.
So The Waterman copied Mr Burn's Plan! ...Great minds think alike. (A paddle-out?)

All this comes off the back of timely WSR review...mystical navel gazing allround.
The fact that crew are bravely questioning their own gear deserves a tbb salute!

"Waterman!" "One Wave Of The Day to go!" ~~~~^~~~~/|~~~/(`~~~/(C...[crew )

surfjustsurf

ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko Friday, 7 Jun 2019 at 9:54am

gold as usual tbb

spookypt's picture
spookypt's picture
spookypt Friday, 7 Jun 2019 at 9:06am

tbb....man your posts send me cross eyed.. Wow

Is this true??? Not challenging you moreso wanting to use the data if correct..

US / EPA: "Jet Skis are the largest source of Sea Pollution!"
1989 Exxon Valdez 42 million litre spill (Jet Skis create 15 x greater oil spill/year)

kookfactor's picture
kookfactor's picture
kookfactor Monday, 10 Jun 2019 at 4:17pm

Might be splitting hairs but "ocean petrochemical pollution" because surely that plastic shit gets a guersey as the largest source of ocean pollution ?

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Saturday, 8 Jun 2019 at 2:54am

Thanks ojackojacko also to spookypt... yes you're right to question the Jet Ski Stats?

2 stroke Skis dump 30% unburnt fuel into the sea...that's why the high pollution.
2hr Jet Ski session is equivalent pollution to 130,000 miles in car.
This is the best series on Jet Skis (tbb will link all 3 parts...quick rewarding read)
https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/watercraft...
https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/watercraft...
https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/watercraft...
Most US National Parks ban Jet Skis & Drones.
Jet ski industry were losing access so they switched to 4 stroke..
The 4 strokes are way cleaner & less noisy & more cruisy,mostly sit down mode.

A lot of WSL/Tow Surfers require Stand Up Search option & Power Boost.
Yamaha still offer 2 stroke -Waverunners or powerful rigs for Towies.
Tow Skis by nature either Stand Up of Sled require max power boost...(fuel dump)
Also to traverse rough ocean & climb giant waves escaping monster froth.
Ain't no one gonna burn more Jet Ski Fuel (Pollute) than Towies.

tbb hunted down this marine life link.
https://www.solentskiers.org.uk/2014/09/04/environmental-impacts-jet-ski...

Jet Ski Noise (Very old report but very thorough) Wide reaching/Costs of Noise
http://www.nonoise.org/library/drowning/drowning.htm

Here's those Quotes spookypt
(Environmental Groups)
"Riding a Jet Ski is one of the single most damaging acts to the water & air!"
U.S / E.P.A
"Jet Skis are one of the largest sources of toxic water pollution in the USA!"
https://www.wral.com/news/local/story/127853/
Sorry if tbb mislead readers..I can't make it sound worse than what it is.

kookfactor's picture
kookfactor's picture
kookfactor Monday, 10 Jun 2019 at 4:37pm

Heya TBB, After reading the links etc I just had to contact WSL via email/feedback to implore them to severely restrict the jetski's at contests. This year at the Margs event I counted 8 most days, especially for doing Box runs from shore...make the c... paddle like mere mortals. I would encourage others to contact the WSL and bring it to their immediate attention.

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Friday, 7 Jun 2019 at 5:15pm

"2hr Jet Ski session is equivalent pollution to 130,000 miles in car."

wtf

I see you and raise you:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1229857/How-16-ships-cre...

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Friday, 7 Jun 2019 at 8:04pm

"16 Superships create as much pollution as all the cars in the world."
wtf
I'm out:
Hoist up the John B's sail...

freerider.'s picture
freerider.'s picture
freerider. Saturday, 8 Jun 2019 at 5:07pm

Can someone tell me what the "Wossle" is? I'm not familiar with that word, seriously. Thanks.

fitzroy-21's picture
fitzroy-21's picture
fitzroy-21 Saturday, 8 Jun 2019 at 4:57pm

wsl

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Saturday, 8 Jun 2019 at 7:48pm

Not alone freerider...tbb sussed out the WSL abbr'... but had to google "wozzle".
Let's just say fitzroy-21 is acting all innocent like!
"Wozzle" or WSL (meaning) 'Loveable no so bright dick sucking loser/s.'
tbb is guessing that shameful tag came from our sordid crew somehow.

Swellnetonians are praying Stu also never knew the meaning...
Alternate Oz Slang Title - [ Dick suckers go Carbon Neutral ]
...presumably by swallowing their loads.

New Cleo Ed; Stu ...(Sealed section-unzip your ecosex tips)
"Hey Honey, just think of Earth Hour then close your eyes & swallow!"
"Take one for the health of our Blue Planet my beloved Rainbow Warrior!"

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Wozzles
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=blozzle%20wozzle
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=a2-wozzle

tbb wishes to be proven wrong... Hurry!

freerider.'s picture
freerider.'s picture
freerider. Sunday, 9 Jun 2019 at 5:24pm

Not to seem dumb--but was is "tbb"? ?Seriously, I dont know.

freerider.'s picture
freerider.'s picture
freerider. Sunday, 9 Jun 2019 at 5:24pm

Not to seem dumb--but was is "tbb"? ?Seriously, I dont know.

freerider.'s picture
freerider.'s picture
freerider. Monday, 10 Jun 2019 at 5:36am

........

Nakiboi's picture
Nakiboi's picture
Nakiboi Sunday, 9 Jun 2019 at 7:08pm

I'm guessing it means truebluebasher and one day I'm gonna read one of his posts to the end, I have been trying but shit it's hard.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Sunday, 9 Jun 2019 at 7:35pm

tbb or truebluebasher

'true' is me when surfing free.
'blue' is flying free thru sky & sea.
'basher' bodysurfs a sea of debris.

'Free to fly about the cage!'

Dream Occupation: Ceremonial WSR detox!

kookfactor's picture
kookfactor's picture
kookfactor Monday, 10 Jun 2019 at 4:24pm

freerider maybe give the hydro a rest for awhile its messing with your cognitive function..

kookfactor's picture
kookfactor's picture
kookfactor Monday, 10 Jun 2019 at 4:41pm

Maybe they should make all the pro's paddle to each event, there's enough time between gigs and imagine how fit they would be...win.win.

kookfactor's picture
kookfactor's picture
kookfactor Monday, 10 Jun 2019 at 4:50pm

Is it an option for both noise/water pollution negated.
https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/17/18411541/nikola-wave-electric-jet-ski...