ReSurf tackles growing problem of old surfboards and neoprene wetsuits ending up in landfills
Ucluelet, BC – A new initiative on Vancouver Island’s West Coast is turning the growing problem of discarded surfboards and wetsuits into an opportunity for environmental innovation and local economic development.
ReSurf, a social enterprise start-up led by Surfrider Foundation Canada, is dedicated to recovering, repairing, and reprocessing surf products that would otherwise end up in landfills. Operating from a 2,500-square-foot facility in Ucluelet, the organization is equipped with industrial sewing machines for wetsuit repairs and a granulator to process materials for recycling and upcycling.
“ReSurf is an exciting project because it brings together the deep surfing roots and culture of the West Coast with a forward-thinking approach to sustainability,” said Daniel Raab, ReSurf Program Manager. “By finding new ways to repair, reuse, and recycle surf gear, this initiative protects the ocean environment that local communities and surfers care so deeply about, while creating new opportunities right here in our own backyard.”
ReSurf focuses on two hard-to-manage waste streams in particular: EPS surfboards and neoprene wetsuits. By diverting these items from the waste stream, the initiative is advancing sustainability within the surf industry while supporting a more circular and resilient coastal economy. The program employs wetsuit repair technicians and surfboard recycling staff, and works in partnership with surf shops and local landfills to collect donated and discarded gear.
Once in the hands of ReSurf staff, items are assessed and either repaired for resale, refurbished for continued use, or processed for new applications. The initiative is already working with four major wetsuit brands as their Canadian hub for warranty repairs and is accepting drop-off and mail-in repairs.
“People here are deeply connected to the coastline and local beaches, and protecting the environment is part of who West Coast communities are,” said Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne. “Surfing and other activities should never come at the expense of the ecosystems that sustain them. By diverting surfboards and wetsuits from landfills, this initiative protects the ocean, reduces waste, and creates local jobs. It’s such a win for Ucluelet.”
The project is expected to create three permanent full-time jobs, two permanent part-time jobs, and five temporary jobs, while offering approximately 25 volunteer opportunities for community members. Beyond job creation and waste diversion, the project will host sustainability workshops and community events that highlight environmental stewardship and celebrate coastal culture.
ReSurf has already shown early traction. According to its business case, monthly revenue grew from $842 in June 2025 to more than $6,300 in August following launch. Since June, the program has collected over 1,000 end-of-life wetsuits, completed around 300 wetsuit repairs, and partnered with 17 collection locations across BC.
“The west coast of Vancouver Island has one of the most passionate surf communities in Canada, and ReSurf honours that culture by taking responsibility for its environmental footprint,” said Brodie Guy, CEO, Island Coastal Economic Trust. “ReSurf is exactly the kind of innovative venture the Trust was built to support. By turning end-of-life surf gear into jobs, skills, and new products, ReSurf shows that a circular economy can be a driver of economic diversification for coastal communities.”
Island Coastal Economic Trust is partnering on the project through a $150,000 investment from the Capital and Innovation funding program, under the Innovation and Technology investment priority.
For more information visit surfrider.ca/resurf
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About Island Coastal Economic Trust
Island Coastal Economic Trust is the regional development organization founded by the Province of British Columbia under the North Island-Coast Development Initiative Trust Act to serve Vancouver Island and the surrounding coast. We partner with First Nations, local governments, businesses, and non-profits to drive prosperity and diversify the coastal economy through strategic economic investments. Over $406.5 million in direct new investment has been attracted to coastal B.C. through our partnerships since 2006. We believe that meaningful and lasting change is best achieved through strong, collaborative partnerships that unite people, communities, sectors, and resources. As we work toward inclusive and resilient economic futures, we do so with a deep appreciation for the histories, contributions, and rights of the Kwak̓wala/Bakwam’kala, Nuučaa̓nuɫ, Éy7á7juuthem, Ligwilda’xw, Pəntl’áč, She shashishalhem, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣, SENĆOŦEN, Skwxwú7mesh, Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.=
The Trust’s mandate has been to support economic diversification and growth across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and islands and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution (see Our Region). Serving more than half a million residents, the Trust partners with communities in the development and financing of their economic infrastructure and diversification efforts through a unique structure that is led by and accountable to communities.
Media Contacts:
Kyle Wells
Manager, Communications and Impact
Island Coastal Economic Trust
kyle@islandcoastaltrust.ca
250-871-7797
Hanna Hatherley
Interim Executive Director
Surfrider Foundation Canada
hhatherley@surfrider.ca
250-508-3340
