Rob Machado is Sustainably Stoked

San Diego surf legend Rob Machado is one of more than 40 contributors to Sustainable Stoke – a new book that is a collaboration between the SDSU Center for Surf Research and the Plymouth University Sustainability and Surfing Research Group. Rob takes the time to research and question the sustainability claims and dedication of a number of surfing products. Among the questions Rob grapples with in the book are “…is 8.6 million gallons of water too big a sacrifice for one company to be able to sell 15 million t-shirts in a year? If some products use 25% recycled rubber in one component, what about the other 75%? What about the same company’s products without recycled components? If the price of environmentally-conscious products is 25% higher, will consumers buy them?” Rob goes on to argue that “Surfers are naturally in touch with the environment and they influence young, hip culture. Professional surfers may be the best messengers”.

The book forms the focal point of an upcoming conference at San Diego State University on Sept 19th. The conference will bring together many of the book’s contributors to continue the conversation of global sustainability in the context of surfing that the book began.

In the video below, filmed for the Center for Surf Research, Rob outlines his personal journey to sustainability mindedness. Get your copy of Sustainable Stoke today.

The post Rob Machado is Sustainably Stoked appeared first on The Center for Surf Research.