What Sustainable Surf does

Sustainable Surf is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by Michael Stewart and Kevin Whilden in California, with a small distributed team of approximately 13 named staff across the San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California (Encinitas, Long Beach, Carlsbad), and Philadelphia. The organization operates three interconnected programs targeting the environmental footprint of surfing and ocean regeneration: the ECOBOARD Project, a two-tier surfboard certification program (Level One for use of qualified sustainable materials; Gold Level requiring lifecycle assessment, USDA Bio-Preferred certification, and sustainable supply chains); SeaTrees, a science-based coastal ecosystem restoration initiative covering coral reefs, kelp forests, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, shellfish reefs, and watersheds; and Ocean Positive, a brand certification program verifying brands that sequester more carbon than they emit.

The underlying technology is grounded in lifecycle assessment science — Sustainable Surf partnered with Pure Strategies to publish a comparative study showing ECOBOARDs achieve 30% carbon footprint reduction versus standard polyurethane/polyester boards, with significant reductions in carcinogenic chemicals during glassing. The organization maintains proprietary certification criteria, a self-service portal for shapers, and a verified biodiversity impact quantification methodology developed under Science Lead Orion McCarthy (PhD, Scripps Institution of Oceanography).

Sustainable Surf's revenue model combines charitable donations (501(c)(3) status), recurring program fees from large surf brands ($2,500 annual program fee plus $1 minimum per ECOBOARD-certified board), brand partnership revenue through SeaTrees restoration donations and Ocean Positive verification, and 1% For The Planet member contributions. GTM is community-led: the organization activates surf culture and a global ambassador network (including pro surfers Rob Machado, Greg Long, and Chris Bertish) to drive adoption. Customer segments span individual surfers/donors, SMB artisan shapers, large enterprise surf brands (Starboard, Firewire, Channel Islands, FCS), and material suppliers (Entropy Resins, Marko Foam), with operational reach documented across the US, Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, France, UK, Spain, Australia, and Hawaii.

Name

Sustainable Surf

Legal name

Sustainable Surf

Website

https://sustainablesurf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sustainable Surf is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit running the ECOBOARD Project surfboard certification, SeaTrees coastal ecosystem restoration, and Ocean Positive brand verification programs, serving surfboard shapers, surf brands, material suppliers, and individual donors globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Certification Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Sustainable surfboard certification
• Ocean ecosystem restoration
• Environmental nonprofit programs
• Coastal regeneration initiatives
• Green chemistry certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Manhattan Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Sustainable Surf is a registered 501(c)(3) US Tax Exempt nonprofit that receives donations from individuals and organizations. The SeaTrees platform facilitates restoration donations.
2. ECOBOARD Program Fees: Large brands are required to pay an Annual Program Fee of $2,500 and a minimum $1 USD fee per board designated as an ECOBOARD. These fees fund annual audits, direct support, consultation, and program maintenance.
3. Ocean Positive Brand Certification: Brands achieving Ocean Positive status work with SeaTrees to sequester more carbon emissions than they create. The program involves brand partnerships and verification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sustainable Surf is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates three programs: the ECOBOARD Project, which certifies sustainable surfboards under Level 1 and Gold Level tiers based on lifecycle assessment; SeaTrees, a science-based coastal ecosystem restoration program covering coral reefs, kelp forests, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, shellfish reefs and watersheds; and Ocean Positive, a brand verification program certifying companies that sequester more carbon emissions than they create. The organization does not sell surfboards directly but enables third-party board builders and brands to access certification, qualified materials lists, and restoration partnerships.

Product overview

Sustainable Surf operates three interconnected programs: SeaTrees (which restores coastal ecosystems including coral reefs, kelp forests, mangroves, seagrass meadows, shellfish reefs, and watersheds), the Ecoboard Project (a surfboard certification program promoting sustainable materials and green chemistry), and Ocean Positive (a brand verification program for carbon-positive companies). Together these programs work to reduce surfing's environmental footprint and regenerate ocean health.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SeaTrees: SeaTrees restores and protects coastal ecosystems around the world to reverse climate change, restore biodiversity, and support local communities. Projects include coral reefs, kelp forests, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, shellfish reefs and coastal watersheds.
• Ecoboard Project
• Ocean Positive

Products and services

• SeaTrees A science-based program that restores and protects coastal ecosystems around the world to reverse climate change, restore biodiversity, and support local communities. Projects cover coral reefs, kelp forests, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, shellfish reefs, and coastal watersheds, with verified biodiversity impact quantification. Targets both individuals (donations) and brands (Ocean Positive certification).
• ECOBOARD Project A two-tier certification program (Level 1 and Gold Level) for sustainable surfboards built on lifecycle assessment science. Level 1 requires at least one qualified sustainable material; Gold Level requires meeting the highest standards including lifecycle assessment, USDA Bio-Preferred certification, and sustainably managed supply chains. For large brands, certification involves an Annual Program Fee of $2,500 plus a $1 USD minimum fee per board designated as an ECOBOARD.
• Ocean Positive Brand Certification A brand verification program under SeaTrees that certifies brands taking action to sequester more carbon emissions than they create. Brands work with SeaTrees to fund restoration projects and achieve Ocean Positive status, with verification of carbon-positive environmental impact.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% reduction in carbon footprint for ECOBOARDs using bio-epoxy resin and recycled EPS blank vs standard poly surfboards
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• 1% For The PlanetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSustainable Surf is a proud member of 1% For The Planet. As a registered nonprofit, they leverage this partnership for credibility in environmental giving and connect donors to the broader 1% For The Planet network of environmental causes.
• Pure StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPure Strategies conducted the comprehensive lifecycle analysis of ECOBOARD vs standard poly surfboards, measuring carbon footprint, renewable/recycled inputs, and reduced toxicity. This analysis forms the scientific foundation of the ECOBOARD certification criteria.
• Channel Islands SurfboardscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvided complete data set for the lifecycle analysis comparing standard poly surfboards vs ECOBOARDs. Contributed detailed board building data that identified key areas for waste and energy use reduction.
• Firewire SurfboardscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvided complete data set for the lifecycle analysis comparing standard poly surfboards vs ECOBOARDs. Contributed detailed board building data for the 2016 lifecycle study.
• StarboardflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSUP and windsurf brand with 25 years of board building innovation. First SUP brand to mass-produce Gold Level ECOBOARD SUP using Carbon Balsa technology. Working closely with Sustainable Surf, Starboard developed eco-conscious innovations from scrutinizing materials and building processes. Committed to Gold Level ECOBOARD certification across their range.
• Appletree Surfboards OEM PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppletree Surfboards works with several OEM partners who chose to have boards produced by Appletree instead of factories that don't prioritize sustainability. These partners share innovative knowledge and work together toward a higher goal.
• Albizia ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization dedicated to repurposing invasive albizia tree lumber from Hawaiian forests. Bizia Surf emerged as a collaboration from this project, creating surfboards from the invasive wood while helping restore native Hawaiian forests.
• Ventana SurfboardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTyler Hopkins of Locus Surfboards shares factory space with Martijn Stiphout of Ventana Surfboards, learning and adopting eco-friendly approaches including recyclable EPS foam, Flax fabrics, and Locus Chip Brush Fins from used paint brush handles.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Lonely Whale Foundation: An ocean-focused nonprofit (founded by Adrian Grenier) that works on issues like plastic-free waters and ocean-climate crossover — comparable as a digitally native, celebrity-supported ocean conservation nonprofit engaging consumers and brands.
• Climate Neutral: A nonprofit certification brand verifying that consumer companies measure, reduce, and offset their carbon emissions — directly comparable as a sustainability certification label targeting consumer brands, but focused on carbon rather than ocean biodiversity.
• Plastic Pollution Coalition: A global nonprofit alliance working to stop plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on marine ecosystems — comparable as a donor-supported ocean conservation nonprofit tackling upstream consumer-product issues overlapping with surf industry waste.

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Conservancy: A larger 501(c)(3) marine conservation nonprofit working on ocean health, plastic pollution, and policy advocacy — comparable as a marine conservation fundraiser/donor organization with broader programmatic scope than Sustainable Surf.
• The Ocean Foundation: A 501(c)(3) community foundation supporting marine conservation projects globally — comparable as a larger, longer-established donor-funded ocean conservation nonprofit with broader programmatic scope than Sustainable Surf.

Others

• Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA): The trade association for the surf industry, representing manufacturers, brands, and retailers — comparable as a surf-industry ecosystem organization that overlaps with Sustainable Surf's brand-partner relationships, though focused on trade advocacy rather than environmental certification.
• Carbonfund.org: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering carbon offset and reduction programs to individuals and businesses — comparable as a sustainability-focused nonprofit in which co-founder Michael Stewart previously developed and managed brand partnerships.
• 1% for the Planet: A global network and certification organization connecting businesses with environmental nonprofit partners — directly comparable as Sustainable Surf's ecosystem partner, with overlapping brand-partner funnels and shared ESG positioning.

Direct peers

• Save The Waves Coalition: A nonprofit dedicated to the protection of surf ecosystems worldwide, operating World Surfing Reserves and advocating for coastal preservation — directly comparable as a surf-specific environmental conservation nonprofit with similar donor base.
• Surfrider Foundation: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's ocean, waves, and beaches — directly comparable as a donor-funded marine/surf conservation organization with chapter-based community structure and policy advocacy focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/sustainsurf
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_dQNJoSlqX6UhbE-vNdJJA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Sustainable-Surf-152079374854312
• Instagraminstagram.com/sustainsurf

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sustainable Surf