Sustainable Surf Careers and Employment in Manhattan Beach, CA

We harness the power of water-sports to tell a new, powerful story, connecting our passion for play – into the urge to protect the oceans… AND live a ‘DEEP BLUE LIFE’

Sustainable Surf is a California-based 501(c)(3) non-profit charity organization founded by social entrepreneurs Michael Stewart and Kevin Whilden. We have offices in Los Angeles (heart of the Southern CA surfing industry), and in San Francisco (nexus of sustainable business and innovation in Northern CA).

Our Mission: Be the catalyst that transforms surf culture into a powerful force for protecting the ocean playground.

Our Strategy: We take an integrated “systems thinking” approach with our innovative programs and campaigns, which engage both individuals and businesses together in partnership to solve the most pressing environmental issues facing our oceans. Specifically, we focus on addressing environmental impacts such as climate change related impacts (ocean acidification, sea level rise and coastal erosion), marine plastic pollution, and water quality issues that threaten our shared “surfing habitat.”

How we engage Individuals – Provide engaging on-ramps for individuals to make lifestyle choices that can lower their negative impacts on the ocean and coastal environment, while boosting their positive impact on their local communities.undefinedHow we engage the Industry – Consult with surf related businesses and organizations to improve their environmental performance, and help communicate their efforts in an authentic and effective way.

Program Goals: Our programs are designed as onramps to engage, educate and entertain participants, while producing multiple benefits (environmental, social, and economic) at the local level in the communities in which they operate, as well as at the global level.

To that end, our programs focus on:

1. developing the rise and availability of dramatically more sustainable surfboards;

2. operating a unique recycling program that helps turn waste styrofoam packaging into new recycled-content surfboard cores;

3. turning professional surfing contests into a living showcase of engaging sustainable lifestyle choices;

4. Inspiring individuals to adopt an ocean-friendly lifestyle as their own.undefined