My travels down south, especially over the past year, have been nothing short of eye-opening. The sheer beauty of our coastlines and the deep connection within our surf community have always inspired me. But, these journeys have uncovered a stark truth. Our once-thriving coral reefs are dying at an alarming rate. I’ve seen, time and again, fewer vibrant corals in the water. More fragments of shattered reefs wash up on shore. What was once a paradise is now a reminder of the destruction we are causing.

What I’ve seen isn’t just a minor problem—it’s a full-blown crisis. Coral health is declining. It’s not just a distant issue. It affects us every time we hit the waves. What was once a colorful underwater world, teeming with life, is now fading into a graveyard of broken coral pieces. It’s a devastating transformation that I can no longer ignore.

But what really shocked me was the discovery that many of the very products we use every day are part of the problem. Did you know that a staggering 75% of sunscreen brands on the market today contain microplastics? A study in the journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology found that oxybenzone deforms coral larvae, stunts their growth, and worsens coral bleaching. This happens even at low concentrations. Sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate harm coral reefs. These chemicals are easily absorbed into the water when people swim. They accumulate in fragile reef ecosystems. One lesser-known culprit is surf wax. Environmental experts are concerned about the surf wax industry’s reliance on petroleum-based products. Paraffin wax, a byproduct of crude oil, is in many surf waxes. Its refining process releases dioxins and other toxic chemicals into the environment. This is a product frequently used by surfers but often made from petrochemicals. Popular surf wax brands typically use paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining. Refining paraffin involves a bleaching process that produces toxic dioxins. They can accumulate in the ocean and harm ecosystems.

It’s not just coral health at stake. Degraded reefs mean fewer fish, less storm protection, and big losses for dependent communities. Human activity, from harmful chemicals to plastic, degrades these ecosystems.

Coral reefs are called the “rainforests of the sea.” They support 25% of all marine life, despite covering only 1% of the ocean floor. Coral reefs and related ecosystems provide habitat and breeding grounds for many species, including fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. If they die, it could lead to the extinction of thousands of marine species. This would destabilize oceanic food chains and ecosystems. Coral reefs generate billions of dollars annually from tourism, fishing, and pharmaceuticals. In places like Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Hawaii, reef tourism is vital to the local economy. Degraded coral reefs will hurt economies, harming millions’ livelihoods and food security. Coral reefs help regulate the carbon cycle. They promote marine life that uses carbon to build their skeletons and shells, reducing atmospheric carbon. Protecting ocean ecosystems helps fight climate change. It removes CO₂ from the air and reduces global warming.

As I watched our coral reefs deteriorate, I learned more about the causes. It became clear that I had to act, not just acknowledge the problem. It hit me hard that microplastics from products like sunscreen and surf wax were destroying our reefs. Knowing that corals are ingesting these harmful particles, it was a wake-up call. They are slowly declining because of it. I couldn’t stand by and let the sport I love be part of the problem.

That’s when I decided to collaborate with local surf schools. I knew they shared my concerns about the ocean’s health. So, we began to identify the gaps in what was available to surfers. We asked ourselves: how can we create products that enhance our love for the ocean without harming it?

That’s how the idea for our Beach Bums collection was born. Each product has a dual purpose. It must give surfers the gear they need. It must also reduce our environmental footprint. Goal is to create practical, reef-friendly solutions. Including reef-safe sunscreens that protect your skin and marine life. Also eco-friendly surf waxes that are free of petrochemicals. These products aren’t just good for surfers—they’re good for the ocean too. Surfing brings joy to millions. I’m grateful to help preserve our oceans by making reef-friendly products.

Reference

• Writer, G. (2023). Eco-Friendly Surfboard Wax Alternatives: Protecting Our Oceans While Riding the Waves. [online] Surfd.
  Available at: https://surfd.com/2023/07/eco-friendly-surfboard-wax-alternatives-protecting-our-oceans-while-riding-the-waves/ 
• Downs, C. A., et al. (2016). “Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and its Environmental.
  Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands.” Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 70(2), 265–288.
  Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26487337/
• Kleypas, J. A., et al. (1999). “Geochemical Consequences of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide on Coral Reefs.” Science, 284(5411), 118-120.
  Available at: https://geosci.uchicago.edu/~archer/reprints/kleypas.1999.reefs.pdf
• Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) Report, “The Value of Coral Reefs.”
  United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “Coral Reefs – Vital for Marine Biodiversity.”
  Available at: https://gcrmn.net/2020-report/
• Juneja, S. (2013). Sri Lanka: tourism impacts corals, fish catch in coastal town. [online] Down To Earth.
  Available at: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/sri-lanka-tourism-impacts-corals-fish-catch-in-coastal-town-42667
• Fao.org. (2024). 5 Coral Reefs of Sri Lanka: Current Status And Resource Management by Arjan Rajasuriya1. [online]
  Available at: https://www.fao.org/4/x5627e/x5627e09.htm
• Rajasuriya, A. and White, A.T. (1995). Coral Reefs of Sri Lanka: Review of Their Extent, Condition, and Management Status. Coastal Management, 23(1), pp.77–90.
  Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/08920759509362257