Climate Change and Surfing
How Climate Change is Reshaping Surfing
How Surfing is Changing Due to Climate Change
The term “global warming” refers to the 1.2 degree Celsius increase in the earth’s average surface temperature since the 19th century, which is mostly caused by human activities including deforestation, building power, human consumption, and power generation. Our water patterns have drastically changed as a result of the melting of our ice caps due to global warming.
Heatwaves, droughts, flooding, and other climate change dangers are getting worse, lasting longer, and happening more frequently. If we don’t take action to stop this, it will become harmful to all species on Earth. Climate change is posing a threat to surfing communities worldwide. Sea level rise, rising ocean temperatures, changing wave patterns, and ocean acidification have all begun to impact wave patterns and, consequently, surfing technique.
In order to protect our waves and surf places and guarantee that we can continue to enjoy the waves for many moons to come, let’s examine these consequences and use awareness as the first step toward change!
Shifting Waves and Rising Temperatures
Rising Temperatures and Changing Waves
Surfers find it exceedingly difficult to predict when and where the swell will come in due to the major changes in ocean currents and wave patterns brought about by climate change. This makes reading of surf forecasts incredibly difficult. This is because rising global temperatures brought on by climate change also raise ocean temperatures, which alter wind patterns and storm severity, which in turn alter wave size and frequency. As a result, there will be less rideable waves in well-known surfing locations.
The frequency and intensity of storms are also evolving. Hurricanes and tropical storms are happening more often and with more intensity, creating bigger, more erratic waves that can be dangerous for surfers. These storms create unpredictable swells and more powerful waves that surfers may not be used to.
Imagine returning to your favourite surf spot in a year to find that the waves are inconsistent and completely different, almost unrideable?! This is what is currently going on in front of our eyes and it is in our hands to take action against this.
Rising Sea Levels
Sea level rise is the most obvious and rapid effect of climate change. Sea levels are increasing sharply as a result of ice caps melting due to rising global temperatures. Our favourite Surf Spots in Bali and Surf Spots in Sri Lanka. are seriously threatened by this. Our favourite surf spots’ environments are changing as a result.
The loss of crucial sandbars and reefs that provide perfect surf conditions is being caused by shifting shorelines, altered ocean dynamics, and increased erosion brought on by sea level rise. Some of our famous beaches are submerged as a result of rising sea levels, which also drown out our low-tide surf places.
Climate change-related sea level rise has two sides: on the one hand, it can lead to the creation of new surf breaks and more chances for adventure; on the other hand, it can bring unexpected surge and ruin old surf locations, forcing surfers to adjust. To save the waves we like, we must band together.
Declining Coral Reefs
In addition to providing the best wave conditions, healthy reefs are essential for biodiversity, which is why surfers depend on them. But as a result of rising water temperatures and increased acidity brought on by global warming, coral reefs are under stress and are gradually dying. Our beloved reef breaks’ wave quality and consistency are affected, and marine life is disturbed. According to recent studies, half of the coral reefs on Earth are now extinct and may become extinct within the next 30 years.
Coral reefs are bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures, which drives out the beneficial algae that inhabit them. As a result, the corals lose their vibrant colours and turn white. These coral reefs eventually die as a result of coral bleaching. Our shorelines are less resilient to storms and high tide, which might cause our reef breaks to vanish, as a result of the growing loss of our coral reefs. Can you imagine the loss of CloudBreak, Teahupoo, Uluwatu, and Pipeline?
In addition to maintaining the natural beauty and spectacular waves that draw surfers to the water, we must safeguard our reefs for the sake of marine biodiversity and the health of the ocean.
The Future of Surfing
The current pace of climate change will present surfers with both possibilities and problems, making it a two-edged sword.
According to research, sea levels would rise by 12 to 13 inches by 2050 as a result of rising ocean temperatures. Surfers will have to adjust to these new breaks or redirect their attention to a new surf spot as our shorelines and wave patterns continue to change. Numerous well-known locations may be completely drowned or irreparably destroyed.
As storms and other extreme weather events become more frequent, surf conditions will become more unpredictable, requiring greater adaptability and flexibility from surfers. Additionally, our loved reef breaks’ wave patterns will alter due to the disappearance of our coral reefs. If we don’t do something, our beloved and reliable surf places will vanish even as new ones will appear!
Undoubtedly, surfers throughout the world will be inspired to take action and begin supporting projects that attempt to conserve our marine environment and reduce our carbon footprint as a result of increased knowledge of climate change and its effects on our favourite surf destinations. Since we can all work together to save and maintain our waves, this has the potential to inspire change within the surfing community!
How Surfers Can Take Action
Initially, we can all work to lessen our carbon footprint, pick eco-friendly modes of transportation, encourage sustainable surfboard production methods, and select eco-friendly surfboards and equipment constructed from sustainable materials. We can also participate in beach clean-ups, support local conservation initiatives, and donate to groups that protect coastal environments. We can support efforts that fight climate change and educate our friends, family, and fellow surfers about it and the significance of taking action.
This is a dream and a reachable one if we can unite as surfers to help our environment and protect our beloved surf spots by adopting sustainable practices inside and outside of the water!
We make sure to use sustainable techniques here at Kima Surf Camps! We urge visitors to use their towels as much as possible and remind them to turn off lights and air conditioners when they are not in their rooms. All of our camps have energy-efficient lighting and a water-saving button for flushing toilets. Additionally, all of our camps take part in beach clean-ups, such as those organised by Canggu’s Trash Hero .
We banned one-way plastic packaging from our camp kitchens and restaurants because we think it is best to address these issues at their root. Installing solar panels at our Kima Surf Camp in Canggu. was our most recent climate protection initiative. Our main camp building has 30 solar panels that generate 54.4 kWh per day. Therefore, our main structure at Kima Surf Canggu, which can house up to 70 guests, runs entirely on natural energy throughout the day, saving 15,876 kg of CO2 emissions annually.
Although we are aware that there is always more to be done, we are inspired to take action to safeguard our loved ones and create a more environmentally friendly future.
Let’s unite through our shared passion for surfing and get involved in sustainability practices, so we can ensure that future generations can enjoy the same conditions that make surfing so special.