• Water sports trash: broken boards, leashes, fins, swim fins, wet suits, surf wax, booties, scuba gear (masks and snorkles), goggles, masks, head gear, paddleboards, supboards and oars.
• 99% of all water sports products contain plastic.
Quick Facts
Worldwide, over 400,000 surfboards are sold every year and is estimated to bring in over $3.1 billion in annual sales.
Modern day surfboards are made from fiberglass with a polyurethane foam core and then covered with polyester resin all a toxic when broken or left floating to sea.
Broken surfboards are dangerous to both swimmers and marine animals who can eat the debris, thinking it is food
Surfers and Paddleboards are good for World Economy: They buy, souvenirs, surf gear, equipment, film, boat rentals. Most of these are bought from small mom and pop businesses, who in turn put their earning back into the local economy.
Not So Fun Facts
• Cheap foam surfboards and paddle boards break easily, spewing deadly styrofoam into the ocean.
• 100's of boogie boards are left on the beach DAILY. An average of 5 boogie boards are picked up off the beach everyday in South Mission Beach.
• Disposable boogie boards are the leading cause of styrofoam pollution in Mission Beach.
• Average of 5 cheap swim goggles are found weekly during the summer in South Mission Beach
Good News
• Good surfboards when taken care of can be repaired
• Bird Surf Shop in San Diego, will recycle wet-suits, booties and more.
• Many surfing companies are using recycled products to product surfing products, including cigarette butts.
• Economic value of surfing to San Diego County of $5B/year. (sandiegodata.org)
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