In Conversation with Belinda Baggs: Co-Founder of Surfers for Climate
Belinda Baggs, Patagonia Global Sport Activist and co-founder Surfers for Climate.
You're participating in the upcoming Patagonia events aimed at protecting Australia's oceans. Could you tell us more about these events, and why you believe they are essential for promoting ocean conservation and climate solutions?
The ocean is at the heart of everything I do. From the air I breathe to the spiritual and fun experience of riding a wave…and of course nothing beats sharing these salty experiences with my young son.
The planet is at breaking-point and the ocean is a vital lifeline. If we can protect significant areas and let Mother Nature do her thing, all waters can flourish – bringing life, upholding climate solutions, and allowing communities to prosper. First Nations people have taken care of Country for over 60,000 years. It's time we all listen, learn, and assist with protecting and rehabilitating Country.
Celebrating the sea with mates is always a great time, especially when there's purpose. Across the globe amazing groups of like-minded ocean lovers are undertaking projects to protect and preserve marine life and habitats. Come along to one of the ‘Protect Australia’s Ocean for Good’ free events that Patagonia are putting on this summer. There will be awesome speakers, new films, live music, and it will be a great opportunity to learn more about just what is possible when we all work together. Reserve your spot for a location, including Byron Bay and Burleigh Heads at www.patagonia.com.au/oceanevents.
You're known for your graceful and technically accomplished longboard style in surfing. What drew you to longboarding, and how has it shaped your connection with the ocean?
I have always wanted to be a well-rounded surfer capable of riding an array of different craft in order to get the most of everyday wave conditions. Shortboarding was and still is more difficult for me. Although the challenge will forever be an allure, being comfortable in the ocean, like I feel on a longboard, is the ultimate form of fun for me!
I was a bit of a tomboy growing up, clumsy, and rather unconfident. Riding a longboard was the only moment I felt empowered by my femininity and really empowered in my own skin. That combined with an amazing group of mates across the globe to share longboarding waves with, I naturally gravitated toward spending more time chasing small waves! All the travel and experiences this lifestyle afforded me embedded a deep appreciation for waves, coastlines, and a healthy ocean. Naturally you want to protect what you love!
Could you share some of your most memorable surfing experiences and the impact they've had on your love for the ocean?
Most recently it’s been surfing with my son Rayson who is now 12. Watching him light up with the stoke and joy after every ride is something that surpasses most of my own rides! I want him to have the opportunities I did, but unfortunately there many current threats to the health of the ocean and the impacts its experiencing from climate change, plastic pollution, development, overfishing and more is extremely alarming. Now more than ever we need to do all we can to protect the ocean, for our own well-being, that of our children, and all other living things too.
I’d like to also address that most of us surfers only have a connection to the ocean that spans several generations. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a connection that extends hundreds and even thousands of generations. The beaches of this continent had names, meaning and significance well before we rode the swells on fibreglass surfboards. I think it’s vital to respect the true locals and learn the rich history of these places we cherish.
As the Australian Professional Longboard Circuit Champion and a participant in the Women's World Longboard Championship, what have been the most significant lessons you've learned from competitive surfing?
Don’t get me wrong, I have huge respect for the skill of the top competitors and am thankful for the other opportunities and friendships my time competing provided, but the competitive side of things doesn’t fee that important to me.
When I took a step back, I realised what mattered most, what was the most enjoyable and meaningful for me, were elements of my surfing life that were contradicted by the competition elements. For me surfing is an expression and all about feel, not scoring points.
I still really love the way local boardrider clubs get together. Especially models like Surf Coast Women’s Boardriders where it’s about supporting one another and meeting new salty friends.
You were the first female surfer to grace the cover of 'Surfers Journal’. How did that accomplishment change the landscape of women's surfing, and what message did it send to aspiring female surfers?
I learnt to surf at an interesting time in women’s surfing history. Many talented women came before me, but they received very little acknowledgment or support. Due to their persistence and skills, my generation of surfers were at a turning point where surf media was being forced to slowly diversify and be a more true reflection of the line-up.
My time in longboarding, particularly heavy single fins, was revolutionising the way we surf into what we now call ‘logging’. In Australia cross-stepping and in the pocket nose rides fell out of popularity during the shortboard and radical surfing revolution. There were still people riding high performance longboards with three fins but rarely ‘logs’, and predominantly boards shaped pre-68’ known as ‘old mals’. I was part of an international group of surfers, including many women, who were pushing each other to redefine surfing and revive styles like logging. With much effort we gained sponsors and slowly, media attention who were interested.
For a woman, let alone a longboarding woman, to be featured on the cover of Surfers Journal was an extra piece of the puzzle in terms of breaking down some of the barriers we face as female surfers.
Your involvement in surf films like 'Never Town,' 'The Reef Beneath,' and 'South Fish' showcases your commitment to both surfing and environmental conservation. How do these films reflect your personal values and activism?
Surfing is what made me fall in love with the sea. It’s only natural you want to protect the places that you love. For me, it’s hard to separate activism and surfing as they go hand-in-hand.
The films I have been involved in are a deeper look into intersection of environmentalism and the surfing life. We cannot have surfing without a healthy ocean. A rallying call for all surfers to stand up to environmental injustices.
What inspired you to co-found the not-for-profit group "Surfers for Climate," and what are some of the key initiatives and projects the organisation is involved in?
It was a few things that all came together at once... The Fight for the Bight was just wrapping up and it seemed like surfers across the country were genuinely concerned about the environment. I was seeing loads of amazing climate organisations doing great things, but not focusing on speaking to surfers and the orgs that were aimed at surfers weren’t always inclusive of the entire surfing community or addressing the biggest global threat to the ocean: climate change.
I’d been on a climate summit trip with Groundswell Giving up to Heron Island, learning from the Climate Council about just how drastic and immediate climate impacts are on the ocean, marine species, human health, and of course on the waves and coastlines. But also all the amazing solutions a healthy ocean can provide, everything from carbon sequestration to renewable energy opportunities – the ocean is the life of the planet.
Some like-minded ocean lovers got together and so began, Surfers for Climate, a sea-roots movement dedicated to positive climate action. We educate surfers on issues affecting the ocean and provide pathway for them to take meaningful action on a large scale through pressure for solutions based systemic and political change and in their own homes by wiping out their emissions. A few of our key initiatives include ending offshore oil and gas drilling in Australian waters, a Wave Changer program leading the surfing industry toward sustainability. The Trade Up which educates and encourages surf tradies to adopt greener building materials and technologies and most importantly ongoing work to ensure that everyone respects the true locals, and is kind to the Earth and each other, always.
As a Patagonia Global Sport Activist and ambassador for "Take 3 for the Sea," how do you see the role of sports and outdoor activities in raising awareness about environmental issues and inspiring action?
Many sports like surfing to rock climbing rely on nature and the elements, as do organised team sports like soccer and tennis, which also suffer in extreme weather conditions. For this reason, all athletes have a responsibility to protect the places or climate we play among and in for the next generation. If we don’t, many of these sports, and lifestyles more broadly, simply won’t be able to continue in decades to come.
In your view, how can individuals, especially surfers and coastal communities such as Byron Bay, contribute to environmental protection and preserving our oceans for future generations?
I feel that as a surfer it’s our shared responsibility to give back and protect the thing we take so much from. Let’s make the relationship with the ocean more balanced.
Stand up for issues that affect your local area, go in and meet with our representatives, create projects that protect and enhance the ecosystem. If there’s a local or even national not-for-profit doing work you believe in be sure to join, donate, volunteer or even just sign in support of their calls and request. Every little bit makes a big difference. And please learn look toward the Traditional owners of your area to learn about the history and caring for Country.
With your diverse experiences in surfing, filmmaking and environmental activism, what are your aspirations for the future, and what advice would you give to young surfers and activists in Byron who want to make a positive impact on the planet?
My personal aspirations is for all water-loving Australians to lead the charge in protecting Country and Sea Country. We are so lucky to be living and recreating on these beautiful lands and coastlines.
If you’re not involved yet, just do something! We all have a superpower – sometimes that’s our profession or another special talent we may have. Lean in and use the skills and passion you have to do all you can to protect the oceans for good!
Find out more at www.patagonia.com.ay/oceans
Belinda ‘Bindy’ Baggs is a passionate all-around surfer, best known for her graceful and technically accomplished longboard style. Her career highlights include becoming the Australian Professional Longboard Circuit Champion in 2000, and placing third in the Women's World Longboard Championship in Costa Rica that same year. She was the first female surfer to grace the cover of ‘Surfers Journal’ and has featured in surf films, including ‘Never Town’ (2018), ‘The Reef Beneath’ (2018), and ‘South Fish’ (2019). In 2019, Bindy visited the Heron Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef and following this formative trip, she co-founded the not-for-profit group Surfers for Climate.