Exclusive Interview with Patagonias surf Ambassador

Functional, Sporty, Qualitative, Committed - Patagonia. The outdoor label with commitment has been high on our list of favourites for several months. Her constant commitment to the environment and her strong urge to awaken the connection between man and nature makes her a unique Brand. Therefore we are very lucky to have received an exclusive interview with Patagonias Surf Ambassador Belinda Baggs.

Belinda Baggs's heart has always belonged to the ocean. A passionate all-round surfer and body surfer and freshly baked mother, she spends a lot of time in different waters, but her roots lie on the Australian coast. She can be seen in movies like Sprout, Dear and Yonder and Come Hell or High Water and yopu can also admire her as the first female surfer on the cover of Surfers Journal.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jarrah Lynch / "Belinda Baggs, Australia"

Since when have you been an ambassador for Patagonia, and what does that mean to you?

"I have been a Patagonia ambassador for over 10 years now. Working with Patagonia has aligned my ethos on life with a company that not only supports environmental and social causes but makes you look deeper, learn and question so much more than your everyday brings. It brings so much knowledge and ideas from a pool of people that really want to ensure that the business doesn’t implement any unnecessary harm to the planet we all survive and reside upon."

How do you integrate sustainability into your everyday life? - Can you give us three practical tips?

"I am a huge believer in living an examined life, collectively each and every person on this planet can make a difference to the current environmental crisis.

My 3 pieces of advise would start with those ideas-

1. examine your life and choose each day or week a target goal that will help you to further reduce your cabon footprint- an easy start would be to cut your use of single use plastic, another would be to opt for public transport, reduce your food miles by purchasing only locally produced food and minimising your consumption of beef, all meat and dairy.
2. Always ‘take 3’ pieces of rubbish when leaving the beach
3. Generally consume less or better products - before making a purchase ask yourself do I really need this item? If the answer is yes do your homework and find out where it is made and what it is made of."

Have you been visiting Patagonia’s production facility? Can you tell us where it is and how the working standards are?

"I have personally visited the Fair Trade sewing facility in Sri Lanka and also the yulex- havea planatation in Sri Lanka.

To be totally honest the fair trade sewing factory was very clean and ordered but I didn’t realise that the workers would still be under so much pressure to maintain speed and efficiency. The workers looked happy, I could see the factory was safe and all the superior management positions were filled with people who genuinely cared for the workers- but the intense pressure was a bit of a shock to me…. I could only imagine the poor conditions of conventional factories and it made me so thankful for Fair Trade.

The Havea plantation forest was quite a but more relaxed…. Hot tropical sun beamed down upon the workers and made for slow and precise, calculated expertise when working on both the trees and surrounding land. I was impressed with the general vide being playful and happy. The manufacturing factory was also relaxed and the atmosphere was rhythmic and low-key- most of the workers were barefoot! . There were also no chemicals being used which made the air clean and provided a non toxic environment."

In Austria, Germany and Europe in general wetsuits are often used for riversurfing - it is an upcoming phenomenon and the rivers are pretty cold J. Have you ever tried stationary wave riding and what are your thoughts on it?

"No I haven’t ever tried riding stationary wave.. I think make the most of your surroundings and what nature is providing you… if that is a standing river wave then great! Another way to share in playful fun and connect with a form of nature.

Blue Tomato turned 30 this year and throughout the years we’re happy to see ongoing changes and improvements in the textile industry in terms of sustainability & ecological awareness."

Looking into the future – what are major steps the industry still needs to face & do you see a fair trade future for the whole surf industry?

"I see a more sustainable and socially aware customer forcing the surf industry to change. Surfers are connected to nature in some form, when educated on topics that have never been spoken about before in the surfing world I think people will change… I think it will be the people demanding change in their products, or at least I hope this movement grows wings… There are a few major things including the heavy harmful pollution used in the creation that standard neoprene that will have to change especially now there are preforming alternatives that have proven their functionality."

Please finish the sentence: “In an ideal world....

....we would all aim at living carbon neutral lives for the betterment of our children and future generations on this planet."

Thanks to Belinda Baggs for this personal and exciting interview. Patagonia is an exemplary pioneer in terms of sustainability and constantly provides new ideas for the preservation of our beautiful environment.

So get inspired by their great products and cool looks.

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