Here at Saltie Sports, we love the outdoors and everything about it. Loving the outdoors and our incredible vast oceans and wanting to spend time in it comes with responsibility. To keep it clean! If we want to keep enjoying it, in its current state, or better yet, a better state. Then we need to take care of it, keep it clear of rubbish and ensure pollutants stay clear of it.
Paddleboarding is an epic way to connect with nature and discover more of the underwater world. It’s also an amazing sport for helping to reduce stress and increase relaxation among many other health benefits, all because you are surrounded by the great outdoors, the environment, and the natural world. If we want to keep enjoying the great outdoors in all of its beauty, then it is our responsibility to keep it clean.
Read on to find out how you can help to keep our oceans clean, no matter how big or small of a difference you make – mother nature will thank you for it.
Buy equipment built to last
Buying high-quality goods is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint and overall waste, and the same applies to buying a paddleboard.
If you opt to buy a board and accessories that are of high quality and built to last then you will not only be saving yourself money in the long run but also reducing your waste. SUPs are made of PVC, so when one of these gets thrown away it’s not ideal for the environment. Cheap SUP equipment is often made using poor-quality materials, meaning they are not built to last. Cheaper products have a terrible effect on the environment as consumers need to repeatedly buy them again and again, creating more and more waste. Our SUPs are built to last, however, we know that sometimes are adventures can cause a little bit too much damage to a SUP and it might need replacing. However, disposing of one of these every ten years, as opposed to one every two years is a much better option.
You can also opt to buy SUPs or accessories that are made from recycled materials, such as our Saltie Robes, made of 100% recycled materials. Knowing exactly what you are buying and where those materials have come from can have a huge impact on the environment in the long run.
Leave only footprints
A very simple piece of advice which everyone should follow no matter where they are. “Leave only footprints”. If you are stepping into nature then this should always be at the forefront of your mind. It really is as simple as it sounds. Leave Only Footprints. No rubbish, no plastic, only footprints.
Follow the rule of three
Another simple rule to follow for any beach, nature or sea lover. The rule of three should always be followed when out exploring the good old outdoors. This simply translates to picking up at least three pieces of plastic each time you are on the beach or anywhere outside. If everyone followed the rule of three then the amount of waste we see every day outside would very quickly decrease. It’s also super easy to do and doesn’t take much time or energy.
Bring your own reusable bags with you
When planning an epic beach day or adventure out on the water we usually have to bring a few extra bits along with us. When doing so, just be sure to use a long-lasting, reusable tote bag or even one of our awesome DryBags to transport your belongings instead of single-use plastic bags to carry all of your extras.
Use refillable water bottles
Using a refillable water bottle is such an important way to help with plastic pollution and keep our oceans clean. So often we see single-use plastic bottles disposed of on the beach or washed up on the shore and yet it is something that can so easily be helped. Next time you’re thinking of buying a plastic bottle of water from the shop, instead invest in a reusable one that you can use time and time again saving you not only money but also the environment.
Use reef-friendly, organic products
Plastic isn’t the only material that is damaging the ocean. The substances we put on our bodies before going into the sea also have a huge impact on the oceans. If you’re planning a trip into the water, then be conscious of the chemicals you’ve put on your body beforehand, because all of them are going to end up in the ocean. To avoid this issue, try using only organic shampoos, lotions, and all-natural, reef-safe sun cream.
Wondering what else you can do to keep our oceans clean? Surfers against Sewage have some epic information on their website. Go take a look.
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