How to Surf as Sustainably as Possible
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Time to read 5 min
Why Sustainable Surfing Matters
Surfing is one of the most connected ways to experience nature and yet, although ironically, the sport isn’t always the most eco- and ocean-friendly one. Traditional surfboards, wetsuits, wax, and flights to exotic waves and warm attractive waters all leave their carbon footprints on our globe.
If we want to keep catching clean waves, we must learn how to surf as sustainably as possible. At WALLIEN, we believe that protecting the ocean starts with conscious choices - both big and small.
Why you can trust us:
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At WALLIEN, we’ve spent over 5 years designing and testing premium activewear and wetsuits for women who lead in and around water.
We’ve supported and equipped all sorts of water-loving women — first-timers to pros—helping them feel strong, confident, and ready for any wave.
We stay on the pulse of innovation , studying the latest in materials, sustainability, and performance science to make sure our advice (and our wetsuits) meet the highest standards.
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Table of Content
The Story Behind WALLIEN
Allow us to introduce ourselves and why we care so much for sustainability: The Story Behind Wallien.
Like the Ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite rose from the froth in the sea - graceful, powerful, and unapologetically herself - WALLIEN was born from the ocean. Not just as a brand, but as a call to redefine what women’s surfwear could be: beautiful, high-performing, and rooted in values that protect the very waters that inspire us. Both the goddess and our brand stand for beauty and love. Beauty for femininity, to find the beauty in who we are and who we want to become. Love for our surroundings, our planet, the ocean. Love for ourselves, our health and our community.
What you wear is a statement. Brands like WALLIEN are part of a growing movement to make water sports more planet-positive. We work with responsible materials, ethical manufacturing partners and design for durability. Every wetsuit we design is made not just to move with your body, but to move the needle toward a more conscious surf culture: strength, sustainability, and sisterhood.
When you support brands that align with your values, you push the entire industry forward.
Traditional wetsuits are made of neoprene:
- Synthetic Rubber: derived from petroleum or limestone which not only has a highly carbon-intensive production but also takes up to 500 years to break down.
Natural rubber wetsuit like WALLIEN’s Yulex™ line:
- Yulex: not only significantly cuts emissions by sourcing from trees instead of fossil fuels, but also avoids toxic chemicals in its processing. Making it much gentler on your skin - hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and rash-resistant.
This one simple swap already lightens your load on the planet and reduces your exposure to toxic chemicals. It almost sounds too good to be true right? With WALLIEN this is the reality, one small choice not only aids towards a more sustainable future but also offers you greater comfort in the moment, wetsuit wise and mentally speaking - WALLIEN lets you ride with a clear conscience.
By choosing Yulex™, you're not just investing in performance gear - you’re joining a movement of mindful surfers committed to protecting what they love most: the ocean.
WALLIEN's Sustainable Horizonia Yulex Line:
Invest in Long-Lasting Gear
Fast fashion doesn’t stop at just your day-to-day clothes, whether for the office, a night out or a stroll in the city centre, it has now even made its way into the water. Cheap surf gear often falls apart fast due to its non-durable, flimsy stitching held together by toxic glues, making it end up in landfills rather than holding you warm in the water. High-quality suits like WALLIEN’s are made to last multiple seasons, sustainable for your wallet and the planet.
Let us do some math. While a typical neoprene full suit may cost you around €150, it often only lasts one year due to stretching, cracking, and sun damage.
> Many surfers find themselves buying a new suit every year .
Now, let’s compare that to a WALLIEN Yulex wetsuit, which typically lasts 3 to 4 seasons with proper care. Even if priced at the double, around €300, it saves you money in the long run while keeping 2 to 3 disposable suits out of landfills.
The Math:
3 cheap suits x €150 = €450 over 3 years
1 WALLIEN Yulex suit = €300 over 3+ years
Same investment. Way less waste. Far better performance.
And guess what? That €150 you would have spent replacing worn-out gear? It could fund:
A weekend stay at a local eco surf camp
A donation to a beach cleanup initiative
A new shiny set of fins for your beloved surfboard
"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it."
The Significance of One Small Choice: Beach Cleanups
Small ripples make for big waves. Get involved in your local surf or ocean-cleanup community. These events are not only good for the environment, but they also connect you with likeminded women who inspire you to do better and be better. After all, our environment shapes who we become.
Bring your crew, collect some trash, and always leave the place, in this case your beach, better than you found it.
WALLIEN has its headquarters based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. For all our Dutch followers or enthusiastic travellers, our team highly recommends, speaking from experience, the “Stichting De Noordzee” foundation organises the annual Beach Cleanup Tour. All along the entire Dutch coastline, stretching over 350 km, thousands of volunteers merge their strengths each year, creating real impact while enjoying the outdoors in the company of like-minded ocean lovers.
Wallien tip: Grab your Yulex suit, a few reusable bags and turn your next surf session into a mini cleanup mission. Even picking up a handful of plastic counts. As we all know, small ripples can result in massive waves.
https://www.noordzee.nl/doe-mee/beach-cleanup-tour/
Final Thoughts: The Ocean Gives, So Let’s Give Back - How to Surf as Sustainably as Possible
Where Beauty, Purpose, and Action Meet
Like Aphrodite - the ancient goddess who rose from sea foam and symbolised beauty, love, and strength - modern water women rise from the waves with power and intention. But today, beauty isn't just about how we look in the water—it’s about how we show up for it. Every wave is a gift and we believe in surfing with gratitude. Whether you're new to the sport or a seasoned wave-chaser, you have the power to protect what you love.
Sustainable surfing is not about being perfect. It's about being aware, informed, and intentional.
Every conscious choice matters. From choosing long-lasting, planet-friendly gear like WALLIEN’s Yulex wetsuits, to joining beach cleanups that protect your favourite coastlines, to encouraging your crew to surf with intention - this is what modern surf beauty looks like. And with brands like WALLIEN leading the way in eco-innovation, making the right choice has never looked (or felt) better.
Together, we can keep the oceans wild, clean, and full of surfable swells for generations to come.
So ride your waves. Pick up that plastic. Wear what lasts. And leave the lineup better than you found it.
The Author: Jessy van Wijk
A competitive wave surfer, multiple-time runner-up at the Dutch Championships and full-time student with saltwater in her veins. Between study sessions and surf sessions, she brings her firsthand experience to WALLIEN - sharing stories celebrating the power of women in the lineup while raising eco-awareness.
