Might be time to retire that old suit. Photo: Spear Board
At some point, your old wetsuit that was once so shiny, stretchy, and sweltering will become a stiff, sun-bleached rag with more holes in it than a Sean Spicer press conference. Like it or not, it’s time to move on. But what can you do to prevent that pile of synthetic rubber — made from fossil fuels — from ending up in a landfill?
A lot of things, actually. From donations to recycling to koozies for laundry detergent bottles (trust us on this one), here are a bunch of great ways to make sure your old wettie ends up anywhere but the trash.
Donate It To Someone Who Needs It More Than You:
Plenty of organizations make it their business to bring surfing — and its attendant, still-usable gear — to less fortunate folks. There are probably more of these non-profits than you have half-worn out suits, so spread the love next time you cop a new suit and want to free up garage space:
1. Valpo Surf Project
This Valparaíso, Chile-based non-profit uses surfing and academic tutoring to better the lives of young people in “communities where families struggle with the consequences of violent crime, prevalent drug use, and chronic unemployment.”
2. ReSurf
ReSurf teaches sustainabilitiy and surfing to underprivileged kids in places like Rosarito, Baja California; Israel; New York City; Jamaica; and San Diego.
3. Warm Current
Your old wettie could help someone partake in a community-based surf program in Northern California, Oregon and Washington.
4. AmpSurf
AmpSurf teaches adaptive surfing programs to people with disabilities. In addition to soft-top boards, booties, gloves and sunblock, they are especially seeking kid’s wetsuits and men’s suits sized XL and XXL.
Donate It To a Company Who’ll Make Something With It:
If your wetsuit is starting to feel like a mesh jersey on account of numerous holes, this is a great option. These two companies take worn-out wetties and give them new life as a piece of gear for yoga, cycling or toting your laptop around:
5. Suga
Suga takes busted suits and recycles them into cool-looking yoga mats in exchange for a 10 percent discount on their wares, or on stuff from Kassia Surf. Namaste, y’all!
6. Green Guru Gear
In addition to old wetsuits, these Coloradans take donated climbing ropes, tents and bike tires and turn them into bike panniers, backpacks, messenger bags, laptop cases and more.
Make Something Your Damn Self:
For the DIY-inclined, neoprene is an endlessly versatile material. With the help of some rubber cement, dental floss (used as waterproof thread) and a rotary cutter (which cuts thick fabric better than scissors) you can create tons of useful stuff. Here are a few items surfers might want to consider. (Remember to keep a few pieces to use as patches for inevitable run-ins with rocks and fins, though).
7. A Koozie For a Laundry Detergent Bottle
Thin-blooded surfers know there’s nothing like dumping a bottle of warm water on your head after a chilly surf. Laundry detergent bottles are durable and big enough for a couple of rinse-downs. If you make a neoprene jacket for the bottle and heat the water before filling it, you’ll always have a hot shower waiting for you back at the car. As a warm-up for that project, you can make a koozie for a water bottle or insulated mug.
Why pay $10 for this when you can easily make one from your tattered old wettie? Photo: REI
8. A Case for a GoPro, Camera Body, Lens, or Laptop
Camera gear can never be too well protected. Ditto for laptops and smartphones, especially when traveling. These step-by-step instructions from CraftySurf.com describe how to make a GoPro case, but can easily be extrapolated to make a case for any of your vulnerable gear.
Just a few stitches and you’ve got yourself a free neoprene GoPro case, which might’ve run you $15 online. Photo: Crafty Surf
