In the early days of our New Future program – mostly thanks to the 1% for the Planet partnership we had through our V.Co-logical Series – and before we started taking a look introspectively at our product, we reached out to non-profit partners that were doing inspiring work in spaces relevant to our business. We established valued friendships, and in the process learned a lot.
Even with our efforts to reduce our impacts steering strongly towards our products and the supply chain, we know that aligning with strategic partners is important; we also know these are the groups, many of them volunteer driven, that are doing the heavy lifting and creating the change of mindset in the communities where we’re doing business. So hat’s off to them; we’re proud to be in such good company...
Surfrider Foundation
Back in 2010 we began our annual partnership with the Surfrider Foundation. Since then, we’ve worked with local chapters in different ways, including offering the Manly, Australia chapter a rent-free home in our Volcom Australia HQ, and have for years now sponsored an annual beach clean up here at our local beach with the Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter.
This year, however, we felt it was time to up our commitment a bit so when Surfrider came to us with a proposal for the industry to join at a more committed level, and become a part of an exclusive club, we jumped right on it.
So, in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation, Volcom is proud to announce our appointment as a Surf Industry Coastal Defender – a new initiative that allows companies within the surf industry to join forces to support Surfrider’s efforts to protect the world’s ocean, waves and beaches.
We’re proud to wear this badge showing our elevated level of support and if you haven’t already, consider becoming a member to Surfrider Foundation so you too can support campaigns across the country like Beach Access, Coastal Preservation, Clean Water, Ocean Protection, and Plastic Pollution.
Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii
Inspiring local communities to care for their coastlines through hands-on beach cleanups – that’s what Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii is up to. We couldn’t do what we do at the Volcom Pipe Pro without them. We’re glad to have them on board, and were even more stoked when Executive Director Kahi Pacarro chose us as his uniform of choice while out doing research on national marine sanctuary/monuments Papahanaumokuakea and Midway islands.
Pangeaseed Foundation x World Oceans Day Hawaii
World Oceans Day is June 8th, and for the last two years we’ve been a proud sponsor of the Pangeaseed World Ocean’s Day Hawaii event featuring activities, talks and a film festival. This year, we donated t-shirts for their World Oceans Day Hawaii messages. With a mission of “harnessing the power of contemporary art and its tremendous influence on popular culture to generate awareness, stimulate dialogue, change perception and inspire positive change around pressing ocean environmental issues,” it’s a perfect fit.
Newport Bay Conservancy Coastal Clean Up Sponsor
Right here in our backyard is the Newport Bay and the Newport Bay Conservancy. The bay naturally collects water from the inland watershed and acts as a filter before it makes its way into our local beaches and surfing spots. When they asked, years ago, for us to help them with their Back Bay clean up on Coastal Clean Up Day, we were glad to help. For years now, we’ve been working with our manufacturing partners to ensure that there are Volcom x Coastal Clean Up tees available for the volunteers who come out that day.
Ron Jon’s Beach N’ Boards Fest Sea Oats Restoration
We were beyond stoked when Ron Jon’s asked us to be a sustainability partner at their 2015 Beach N’ Boards Fest. Together, with Ron Jon’s and the non-profit Keep Brevard Beautiful (KBB), we enlisted athletes and volunteers to plant native sea oats on the dune line. Sea oats are a vital part of the local ecosystem. They promote dune growth and provide natural protection from damaging beach erosion. The program invited spectators to work alongside athletes of the event to physically plant over 500 pre-sprouted sea oats.
Beach & Mountain Clean Up Series
The Summer Daze beach clean up series started as an initiative in partnership with Keepers of the Coast to clean up the beaches in Florida after the 4th of July holiday...they stuck and have become a staple. They add to the Beach Clean Ups we do here with Surfrider Foundation Seal Beach/Huntington Beach chapter, and the ones we do on our own on International Surf Day. You’ll also find beach clean ups in Japan, and Hong Kong.
We all know, however, that litter doesn’t just affect our surf spots – how about the mountains after an epic winter? Never really thought if it, right? Well our team in Japan does every year and this year teamed up with Eco-S and Patagonia for a co-op event that has proven to be a relationship that continues on!
Save the Waves Foundation Environmental Surf Film Festival Sponsor
Save the Waves was one of the first organizations we were able to donate to when we kicked off our 1% for the Planet partnership which ran through 2014. We’ve donated to them for years to support their programs and their mission of protecting ecosystems around the world in partnerships with local communities, utilizing a unique combination of protected areas, economics, and direct action. This year, we were proud to be a supporting sponsor of their Save the Waves Film Festival; the world’s only surf & environmental film festival.
