ASB MAGAZINE: As surfers, our playground and home is at risk. Plastic pollution is a major concern, with an estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic being dumped in the ocean every year. Creatures of Leisure are exploring ways to improve surf hardware and become part of the solution, launching a range of surf traction that biodegrades in landfill at the end of its life. They’ve partnered with Bio-Tech Environmental to put an organic additive into their EVA process, which keeps the performance of the traction but lets things break down under the right conditions. 7-times world champion Steph Gilmore has lent her support to the initiative, helping to launch the Creatures EcoPure® Collection with a signature tail pad to sit alongside fellow team-rider Mick Fanning and Jack Freestone options.
“It makes me proud to see Creatures are changing their practices and are introducing the new EcoPure® pads,” says Steph, “We all need to make changes and look after our environment to protect what we really love.”
Adding EcoPure® Traction to the range isn’t the only thing Creatures have done to improve their overall sustainability. All of their packaging for traction and most leashes will now be made from recyclable, biodegradable materials, with plans to roll out to more and more styles. This adds on top of their already durable construction which ensures surfers get to use their products for a long time. Something most sustainability advocates say is a key element in reducing plastic pollution resulting from disposable consumerism.
“We’re obviously far from perfect,” says Creatures Global Brand and Product Lead, Beau Campi. “But if we all start making consistent, positive changes, we’ll get to a place where we’re nurturing our planet instead of destroying it. It’s amazing to have advocates like Steph challenging us to continually look for better options. Massive credit to her getting right behind EcoPure®.”
The Creatures EcoPure collection is now available online at Creatures.com.au and at all salty surf retailers.
About Creatures of Leisure
Purpose-built surf gear for a lifetime of discovery. Since 1987. Creatures was started to support the surfing lifestyle and shaped by the coast we call home. Founder John Malloy left Los Angeles in 1972 on a container ship to surf through the Pacific to West Oz. When he arrived in Yallingup, he realised he’d found paradise. Uncrowded waves, stunning coastline, great friends. To earn a living, John began making surf leashes. He learned the hard way that the raw waves of our South Indian Ocean would snap inferior materials. Good wasn’t good enough. They had to be better. John introduced the first-ever urethane cord, providing the most reliable connection from board to surfer yet. He became obsessed with improving other solutions, inventing a self-lubricating stainless steel swivel as well. These pioneering innovations remain industry standard today. That same focus on rugged reliability and premium detail has since been expanded to other surf essentials. Board covers, traction, tie-downs, and more – it’s all geared toward a lifetime of discovery. After all these years, we’re still based in South West WA. Every design is tested by our staff and the world’s best surfers, both here, in Hawaii and other unforgiving locations. We could move somewhere more central to make travel easier, but that’s all part of the fun. Most surfers get that right away. After all, we’re a different breed. We’re Creatures.
