Global Boarders provides luxury Cornwall surfing holidays, Corporate surfing days, Family Surfing Holidays, School Surf Trips and unique Cornwall Surf Experience packages. Combining the finest surf locations in Cornwall, the highest quality of instruction, customer service, accommodation and food, Global Boarders' Surfing Holidays in Cornwall will leave you with a feel good factor that will be with you long after your holiday is over.

Global Boarders Responsible Tourism Policy

Global Boarders Green Wave Mission 2009

Mission

We strive to provide unique, accessible and sustainable surfing without compromising on luxury or the environment. Our aim, through our holistic approach, is to introduce our clients to the multi-faceted world of surfing and offer them an opportunity to engage with the sport in connection with their mind, body and soul.

To follow, we’d like to introduce you to some of the ways in which we are trying to lead the way in sustainable surf tourism. To us the idea of sustainability is what and how we sow and grow today determines the shape and state of our garden now and in the future.

So how does our garden grow?

Soil

From its founding the people behind Global Boarders were uncomfortable about the purely commercial driven and unsustainable state of the surf industry. We felt that it had somewhat lost its way on its journey, so we decided to do something about it. There were three areas where we thought we could make a difference: education, leisure and travel. Further to this we employed Cornwall Sustainable Tourism’s bench marking system by trying to make all we do match their tenets of sustainability: Socially, Economically and Environmentally.

Seeds

We could see that tourists and locals alike enjoyed the coastal environment and they expressed an interest in surfing. However, in our experience we understood that it could be very intimidating to go to a surf school or commit to a surf holiday and in some cases very expensive.

So we germinated the following seeds

Global Boarders Surf Vacations and Surf Experiences –

A high-end, low impact surf travel company offering surf vacations in Cornwall in our own eco friendly 4* properties plus other select 3*, 4* and 5* options. Apart from accessibility and high performance surf coaching we focus very strongly on comfortable, stylish accommodation. Again by keeping our groups small and ensuring the emphasis is on surfing and not partying we minimise potential damage to the social environment and we minimise our impact on the natural environment and that of the local surfers. This is a level 3 British Surfing Association [National Governing Body] approved surf school. In 2006, our founding year, the BSA so impressed with our procedures they cited them as a template for the UK. We strive to offer the best quality coaching and equipment with safety as a priority. Our key feature is accessibility as we believe surfing is not just for the young.

Carbon Neutral –

In April 2006 we became (we think the first) Carbon Neutral Surf Company in the world. We achieved this by carbon offsetting with a company called C02 Balance. CO2balance help clients minimise their carbon emissions and offset the unavoidable CO2 residue. Offsetting works by investing funds in sequestration or energy efficiency projects that absorb or prevent the release of a tonnage of CO2 (carbon dioxide) equivalent to your Carbon Footprint.

GTBS [Green Tourism Business Scheme] –

We are the first (and still the only) surf company to be awarded a silver award by the UK’s leading sustainable tourism certification scheme. We opted to join and were assessed by a qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas, like energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more. This has helped us to officially record the efforts we are making in order to [i] gain public confidence and [ii] to implement ongoing measures to ensure we are acting in as low an impact manner as we can feasibly achieve.

Ofsted –

We and our sister company GB Boardsports are proudly the first (and only) Ofsted registered surf provider. We have undergone the rigorous procedure to underline our commitment to best practice. The aim of Ofsted is “to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages.” Our Ofsted status will hopefully make us the provider of choice for the Education, Voluntary and Child care sector. Uniquely parents whose children surf with us are able to claim back some of the costs involved [depending on their financial situation].

Surf Sessions, Equipment and Transfers –

By offering transfers we cut down significantly on the number of cars driving around West Cornwall and lessen the impact of climate change globally.

We use a 95/5 bio-blend fuel in our transfer vehicles where possible.

We use multiple beaches and keep to paths to protect the dunes against erosion. We also travel to the beach with the best conditions and we do not over-use any one beach and try our best to be responsible in our use.

We operate mini beach cleans on the way to and from the shore and recycle appropriately.

We also encourage people to put shells and rocks back how they found them.

We try not to use glass objects outside as these can form hidden, lethal weapons to human and animals alike – if we do we ensure that that they are packed away for recycling immediately after use.

We aim to leave the spaces better than we found them.

We use a combination of Rip Curl wetsuits from their recycling programme and new suits – all suits [and boards] which are no longer usable by us are recycled through a local surf school or sold od second-hand to local people in need of affordable equipment.

When we clean our kit we try to stick to the following: reduce the temperature to 30 degrees [so long as the items are being cleaned in line with H&S guidelines e.g. towels washed at 60 degrees minimum]; use an ecological phosphate free washing medium; we are continually researching low impact disinfectants [but we still use Dettol as this remains the only secure way of disinfecting whilst using the dip method]; line dry the items where possible as UV rays are a natural disinfectant.

We have sourced 100% recycled trugs for the storage and movement of our wetsuits.

We have taken the straightforward ABC British Surfing Association lesson and added some sustainability aspects to it.

We use natural, bio-degradable, locally produced sun screen and hand soaps. The micro-fine titanium dioxide [which is a naturally occurring element] has to be processed so as it can be used in a sun screen.

Our uniforms are part organic, Fairtrade cotton

The Eco-office –

In our office we use recycled paper and envelopes all from sustainable sources as well as low impact cleaning products and Fairtrade tea and coffee. We didn’t stop there though: our desk tidys, inbox shelving and folders are all made from recycled material; our self adhesive labels are solvent free and we even have a stapleless stapler – although this is better in theory than practice but we do use it. Most of our bags are recycled or recyclable. 90% of our electricity is provided by Ecotricity who are the world's first renewable energy company, the largest alternative electricity supplier in Europe, building wind power to fight climate change. All of our everyday paper is used both sides, shredded and then used as fuel in the multi-fuel burners in our properties, composted or recycled. Our non-Epson printer cartridges are also recycled by Surfers Against Sewage.

Publicity and PR material –

This is all printed on paper from self sustaining forests certified by The Forest Stewardship Council.

Eco friendly accommodation –

We promote recycling and provide low impact cleaning products. We try and use local, quality, sustainable providers as much as is possible. We always try to use recycled and sustainable products wherever possible when buying or replacing items.

Water –

We have installed combination boilers which reduce the need to heat and store water.

Electricity –

90% of our electricity is provided by Ecotricity. We encourage an ambient temperature of 17 degrees or below.

Lighting –

Low energy bulbs are used where possible and we encourage the turning off of all lights and electrical items when not in use. We are working towards 100% low energy bulb usage.

Local Environment –

As a mobile surf school we are incredibly low impact as we utilise many different beaches throughout the season. We also care about our local environment, those who work and live here and in our policies we advise groups that we do not tolerate any loud or offensive behaviour.

Roots

Our staff are all locally recruited and are chosen for their professional attitude and accessible manner. We have a small core team of multi-skilled, management and customer service trained staff who are employed year round. We provide tailored, CPD opportunities to our staff. We all believe and are motivated by the Global Boarders commitment to quality and sustainability. We understand the mission and are proud to be different from and [according to our awards, clients and readers of The Surfers’ Path Magazine] better than other surf companies. As surfers, we try to practice what we preach in everyday situations whether driving, shopping or surfing as we believe that what goes around comes around and we endeavour to treat everyone and everything around us with understanding and respect.

Branches and leaves

We realised that by working as an island we were not going to be strong enough so we partnered and reached out.

Rip Curl –

We are proud to announce the official association between Global Boarders and this International surf company. Rip Curl are 100% behind our mission.

They are the only large scale wetsuit manufacturer to employ a wetsuit recycling programme.

Schools –

As well as hands on experience with local schools and pupil referral units we uniquely offer sustainable surfing to schools nationally.

Surfing Experience Days –

This is open to all including locals offering an in depth opportunity to try surfing for a whole day in a sustainable manner.

Corporate Surfing Experiences –

Offering local companies, councils and those further afield the opportunity to incentivise / reward or assist with team building whilst addressing their Corporate and Social Responsibility.

Sure Start government initiative –

We worked closely with the WILD group – under 19 single mothers and facilitated a number of courses with very positive results.

Surfers Against Sewage -

In 2007 we became the very first corporate members of Surfers Against Sewage and support their cause, spread the word and have donated prizes.

Penwith Tourism Action Group - [in association with Penwith District Council] –

We are involved with this group.

ResponsibleTravel.com –

We were the first surf travel company to be listed and have our environmental policies accepted.

Links -

We share links and objectives with the following:

Transition Penwith - Global Boarders supports this mission

Green Seat - Global Boarders supports this mission

The Hunger site - Global Boarders supports this mission

One Percent for the Planet - Global Boarders supports this mission

Global Angels - Global Boarders supports this mission

Traidcraft - Global Boarders supports this mission

Ecover - Global Boarders supports this mission

Ecotricity - Global Boarders are sponsored by Ecotricity

The Soil Association - Global Boarders supports this mission

Recycle for Cornwall - Global Boarders supports this mission

Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project - Global Boarders are members of this

Marine Conservation Society - Global Boarders supports this mission

The Carbon Trust - Global Boarders supports this mission

Local Shopping – We try and shop as much as possible locally and recommend the following providers:

Pure Nuff Stuff totally natural, hand made skincare products made in Penzance - you can visit the workshop too and see how everything is made.

Sakara Bath and Beauty, St. Ives.

Food for my holiday an entire online food shop composed of Cornish food delivered to your accommodation.

Co-op A unique family of businesses owned by members and led by sustainable principles. Co-op works together to make changes for the better.

Trevaskis Farm a medium sized complete farm shop for virtually all of your needs with a wonderful Restaurant; Pick Your Own and Farm Park.

Trevelyan Farm Shop [no website] a small complete farm shop for most of your needs based at Rosudgeon.

The Fruit

We hope that we have successfully blended our passions for surfing and sustainable living into a young up and coming business that is delivering a new type of low impact surf experience and others in the surf industry will change direction and that we can deliver safe and accessible surfing to all.

For the safety and protection of everyone we have listed some issues for your consideration

Beach guidelines

Leave live animals and seaweed where you find them and take photos home instead

Always put overturned rocks back carefully as you found them

Make sure a shell is empty before taking it home

Take your litter home with you or put it in the bin

Be careful on the shore at all times – check the tides, keep away from the cliffs and keep an eye on your nearest exit from the sand – this may change throughout the day

Report anything unusual washed up on the beach or spotted offshore

Don’t chase seabirds

Don’t play in rivers – these are streams coming onto the beach draining from higher land; they can contain pesticides and can form strong rips where they meet the sea

Keep away from soft mud and quicksand

Wash your hands after playing in rock pools and do not eat anything or drink the water from these pools

Don’t go into the dunes if you can help it – especially if there is a fence and sign telling you not to

Clean up after your dog

Follow the flags on the beach set up by the lifeguards

Some surfing guidelines [BSA Code of Conduct]

All surfers must be able to swim at least 50 metres in open water

Ensure that you are covered by Public Liability Insurance for surfing

Keep your surfing equipment in good condition

Always wear a surf leash to prevent you from losing your surfboard
[or bodyboard]. For you your board is a safety device, to others it may be a lethal weapon

Have consideration for other water users including anglers

Never surf alone or immediately after eating a meal

Always return to the beach before nightfall

Never mix surfing with alcohol or drugs

Always wear a wetsuit when surfing in Britain

If you are new to the sport never hire a surfboard without first having a surfing lesson [Given by a BSA qualified instructor]

Be considerate of other beach users especially when carrying your board to and from the water

When possible use a lifeguard patrolled beach. Obey the lifeguards’ instructions and be prepared to assist them if required

Where possible surf in a recognised surfing area e.g. in between the black and white checked flags

When paddling out avoid surfers who are riding waves

When taking a wave see that you are clear of other surfers - remember, if someone else is already riding the wave you must not take off

Be environmentally friendly. Always leave the beach and other areas as you would wish to find them

Global Boarders asks you to

think global & act local

We look forward to surfing with you soon