Surf gear is a dirty little secret. Surfboards, wetsuits, and surf wax are all made from toxic chemicals that harm the environment and our bodies. Learn how you can choose healthier alternatives to the current surf products.

1. Green Surfing Surfers as Environmental Leaders

2. Surf Wax Regular bars of surf wax are petroleum based and contain synthetic rubbers with heavy alcohol agents, or tackifiers, for extra stickiness. Surf wax suffocates coral reefs and is ingested by marine animals Cost = $0.30-$0.50

4. Alternative: Organic Surf Wax Organic surf wax uses all natural ingredients (i.e., beeswax, soy, vegetable oils) Organic surf wax is biodegradable and does not harm the environment Even the wrapping paper around the wax is made with soy-based ink and recycled paper. Cost = $1/bar

6. Sunscreen Sunscreens are toxic! A recent report by the CDC also found that 95 percent of Americans have oxybenzone, an ingredient found in sunscreens, in their bloodstream. The chemical is linked to cell damage, allergies and hormone disruption. In all, 84 percent of the 831 sunscreens EWG tested did not pass health and environmental muster. Many contained potentially harmful chemicals such as Benzophenone, homosalate and octylmethoxycinnamate (also called octinoxate), which are known to mimic naturally occurring hormones and can throw the body’s systems out of whack. Some also contained Padimate-0 and parsol 1789 (also known as avobenzone), which are suspected of causing DNA damage when exposed to sunlight.

7. Sunscreen Sunscreen chemicals are killing coral reefs worldwide! Researchers estimate that 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers annually in oceans worldwide, and that up to 10 percent of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching. Cost = $5-$10

8. Alternative: Organic Sunscreen The good news is that many companies are now introducing safer sunscreens crafted from plant- and mineral-based ingredients and without chemical additives. Organic sunscreens are not toxic to your body or the environment They are biodegradable and do not harm the ocean Cost = $8-$20

9. Surfboard Typical surfboard blanks are made of polystyrene. Polystyrene (better known to most of us as "styrofoam") has been known to leach toxic chemicals and creates copious amounts of liquid and solid waste during its production A regular surfboard’s lifespan is short! Thus a lot of surfboards end up in the dump, with their toxic chemicals ultimately polluting the groundwater and ocean. Cost = $200-$500

10. Alternative: Biofoam Surfboard Biofoam surfboards are made from at least 50% plant based materials They are less toxic than typical surfboards They are usually made with epoxy resin, which is stronger and much more durable than the typical fiberglass Cost = $300-$800

11. Alternative: Bamboo Surfboard Bamboo surfboards are made from bamboo – one of the world’s fastest growing and most sustainable plants Bamboo does not require pesticides to grow! They are not made with toxic materials Bamboo decks rarely dent! Cost = $$$$$

12. Wetsuits Wetsuits are made with toxic chemicals, including PVC. PVC is the most toxic plastic for our health and environment. Wetsuits also consist of neoprene. When allergen-containing neoprene products touch the skin, a susceptible person typically experiences a reaction that can range from redness to blistering. Often, avoiding the neoprene products is the only solution because protective covering of the offending material is either impractical or insufficient. Cost = $100-$400

13. Alternative: Eco-Friendly Wetsuits Patagonia’s eco-friendly wetsuit uses chlorine-free wool, recycled polyester, PVC-free kneepads and thinner neoprene layers (without sacrificing warmth retention). Cost = $250-$400