Pro surfer and 11-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater has joined the World Surf League (WSL) in its pledge to “stop trashing waves” to combat the escalating climate and ocean pollution crisis.
On Tuesday, WSL’s non-profit arm, PURE (Protecting Understanding and Respecting the Environment), announced that it is hosting a global paddle out on June 15, in honor of International Surfing Day to raise awareness of environmental issues.
“The WSL is incredibly proud to break new ground in sports in the urgent battle against climate change and ocean pollution,” WSL CEO Sophie Goldschmidt said in a statement. “We believe it’s our responsibility to be ‘all in’ in the efforts to protect the ocean and beaches amid the devastating climate crisis we all face.