Our Commitment to a Sustainable Surfing Future
NOMB Surf Environmental Policy
At NOMB Surf, we care deeply about the places we visit, the people we meet, and the oceans that shape our lifestyle.
Surfing has an impact—especially when it involves travel—and we’re not pretending otherwise.
This page outlines our Environmental Policy. As a for-profit business, we believe it’s our responsibility to operate as consciously as possible and minimize our environmental footprint. We aim to lead by example, with transparency, and inspire others in the surf and travel industries to reflect on their own impact.
Our goal isn’t to claim perfection. It’s to build a conscious, respectful surf culture where we stay aware of that impact, take responsibility where we can, and keep constantly learning and improving.
Our core beliefs
Guardians of the ocean
At NOMB Surf, we hold a deep respect for the ocean and its ecosystems. We believe that surfing is not just a sport, but a way of life that demands a commitment to environmental stewardship. Our core beliefs are rooted in sustainability, community, and education.
We strive to inspire our surfers to become ambassadors for the ocean, advocating for its protection and preservation.
We are dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint by integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of our operations. Our goal is to lead by example and encourage a culture of responsibility within the surfing community.
We’re not perfect and we don’t expect our surfers to be either. What matters most is a shared intention to do better and a willingness to learn along the way.
Our Environmental Practices
How we take action
Instead of preaching, we practice and invite others to join in. These are the small, thoughtful choices we’ve made part of our daily operations:
- Choose eco-friendly or long-lasting surf equipment whenever possible
- Repair, reuse, and recycle instead of replacing
- Share knowledge about gear, sustainability, and conscious travel with our surfers
- Stick to the principle: “Leave a place better than you found it”
- Work with local, environmentally minded partners
- Rethink transport to reduce unnecessary emissions
- Keep it real—wear sustainable clothing and offer it through our NOMB Style line
- Contribute financially: 10% of NOMB Style profits and fixed donations per participant go to our nonprofit partner, NOMB Changes
- Introduce every student to the Surf Peace Codex for more mindful behavior in and out of the lineup
- Support local environmental initiatives in Fuerteventura and wherever our surf trips take us
Eco-Conscious Surf Coaching
Integrating sustainability into surf lessons
Our surf coaching is personal and intentionally low impact. We offer only individual sessions to avoid crowding and overuse of fragile spots. We talk about ocean awareness, marine ecosystems, and what respectful surfing really means.
We lead by example in and out of the water, and we invite each surfer to reflect, question, and contribute to a culture of care and consideration.
Sustainable surf trips
Yes, we travel. And we know travel has a footprint. That’s why we take a different approach
We plan our surf trips outside peak seasons, choose local partners, and build experiences that respect both the environment and local communities. From accommodation to meals, we think through our choices and aim to reduce harm wherever we can.
We host beach clean-ups, avoid single-use plastics, cook predominantly plant-based meals, and share ways to carry these habits home. For us, surf trips are not escapes but opportunities to reconnect, give back, and grow.
Commitment
Continuous improvement and future goals
NOMB Surf is dedicated to advancing our sustainability initiatives. We continuously evaluate and enhance our practices to reduce our environmental impact. Feedback from our surfers and partners is a key part of that process.
We’re also committed to training everyone involved in NOMB Surf, whether it’s coaches or cooks, in sustainability best practices. Even as a small team, we believe in shared values and continuous learning.
On our radar for the future:
- Earning recognized environmental certifications
- Going fully paperless in the back-office by end of 2025
- Choosing even more sustainable, long-lasting surf gear
- Upping our sustainability game on every trip
- Expanding tools like the NOMB Surf Guide to Sustainable Surfing and NOMB Changes Surf Peace Codex
Our promise
We are committed to playing a role in the necessary shift toward more environmentally and socially responsible surf travel. We know surfing is growing into a mass sport, and with that comes more responsibility.
We’ll also say it clearly: surf travel—especially international travel—has an environmental cost. Offsetting flights or using better wax won’t make that disappear.
But awareness matters. Accountability matters. And we believe change starts when we look contradictions in the eye. That means adjusting how we operate on land, in the ocean, and behind the scenes.
Our promise is to build a culture where people, like our team, partners and students, feel empowered to ask questions, rethink their habits, and be part of something more mindful. This is about doing what we can, when we can, and not giving up on doing better.
Give something back
Flying to Fuerteventura or joining one of our trips? Offsetting your carbon footprint is one option, but it’s not always the most direct or transparent.
Instead we want to suggest an alternative: support something local and surf-related. NOMB Changes, our non-profit partner, focuses on practical ocean education, environmental action, and social projects tied directly to the places we surf.