Winner of Surfer's Path Travel Operator of the Year 2007 - Shortlisted for Cornwall Tourism Leisure Pursuit Provider of the Year 2007 - Nominated for Sustainability Awards 2007 - Highly Recommended by the Fat Face Guide 2007 - Official Sponsors of Surfers Against Sewage environmental campaign group
Global Boarders › Responsible Tourism Policy
Global Boarders Green Wave Mission
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.
Come on a unique, high end surfing holiday in Cornwall and learn to surf in style with Global Boarders - according to The Times "the pioneering eco-surf company" with a conscience.
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 benchmarking system by trying to make all we do match their tenets of sustainability: Social, Economic and Environmental Sustainability
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:
GB Surf School – 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. By keeping to small groups we minimise our impact on the natural environment and that of the local surfers. We strive to offer the best quality instruction and equipment with safety as a priority. Our key feature is accessibility as we believe surfing is not just for the young.
Global Boarders Surf Vacations – A high-end, low impact surf travel company offering surf vacations in Cornwall in their own eco friendly 4* properties. Apart from accessibility and quality instruction we focus very strongly on comfortable, stylish accommodation. Again by keeping our groups small we minimise our damage to the natural environment.
Global Boarders Surf Shop – A surf shop offering proper advice and selling quality, appropriate products aimed at the beginner to intermediate surfer. We pride ourselves on offering the correct information and only selling the right equipment appropriate to each person. We also carry our own range of useful and in some cases fair trade products.
Carbon Neutral – In April 2006 we became (we think the first) Carbon Neutral Surf School, Surf Vacations Company and Surf Shop 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 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 are proudly the first 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].
The Eco-office – In our office we use recycled paper and envelopes all from sustainable sources as well as Low impact cleaning products and Fair trade 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 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, recycled goods, Fair trade and locally sourced and organic food [where feasible].
Water – We have installed combination boilers which reduce the need to heat and store water
Electricity – This is provided across all sectors of the business 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.
Transport and Travel - We maximise on numbers in terms of our own transport and strongly encourage travel to and from Cornwall by train – more than 50 % of our clients reach us this way. By end of June 2008, 3 of our 4 vans will all be fuelled by a local bio-diesel 95/5 where possible.
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 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 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 working as an island was not going to help achieve true sustainability so we partnered and reached out.
Rip Curl – This International surf company proudly sponsor and promote Global Boarders and are 100% behind our mission.
Schools - In May 2006 we worked with local schools offering affordable surfing This relationship has continued into 2007 & 2008 [currently 12 schools & 3 Pupil Referral units]. We have now included further educational elements to this with “Surf and Learn”© which incorporates an optional lecture from Surfers Against Sewage & for 2009 Surf Ready Fitness & Pool Training© plus a guest speaker e.g. Sam Bleakley, Robyn Davies… Also see Ofsted page 2.
Surfing Birthday Parties– This is open to all locals offering a 40% discount on our usual prices.
Corporate Surfing Experiences– Offering local companies and those further afield the opportunity to incentivise / reward or assist with team building.
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.
Coast – We are members of Cornwall Sustainable Tourism: http://www.cstn.org.uk/
Future Footprints – We are involved with this charitable organisation: http://www.futurefootprints.org.uk/
Penwith Tourism Action Group [in association with Penwith District Council – We are involved with this group and are listed here http://www.visit-westcornwall.com/docs/1/Visit%20WCornwall%20guide%20b.pdf
ResponsibleTravel.com – We were the first surf travel company to be listed and have our environmental policies accepted.
Business mentors – One GB Director works with schools which run projects focusing on entrepreneurship and self-employment.
Links - We share links and objectives with the following:
Local Shopping– We try and shop as much as possible locally and recommend the following providers:
FoodForMyHoliday - Full range of Cornish Food ordered online and delivered to your accommodation
Rosudgeon - The Trevelyan Farmshop, The Coach and Horses Pub
St. Hilary - Post Office, St. Hilary Stores
Marazion – Global Boarders Surf Shop, Philps Pasties, The Mount Haven Hotel Restaurant and Bar, The Cutty Sark Hotel Restaurant and Bar, The Godolphin Arms Hotel Restaurant and Bar, Marazion Post Office, Cobble Corner convenience store, Jordans Café, Chapel Rock cafe
Penzance – The Green Bean café, Archie browns health food shop and café, Pure Nuff Stuff Natural Skincare
Mousehole - No2 Fore Street Café and Restaurant Bar, The Cornish Range Restaurant, The Ship Inn
Newlyn - Stephenson’s Fish
Gwithian - Sunset Surf Café, The Sand Sifter Café Bar and Restaurant
Hayle - Salt Bar and Restaurant, Trevaskis Food Hall, Trevaskis Farm
St. Ives – Sakara Health and Beauty products,
Marks & Spencers, Morrisons, Co-op, Tesco – we selectively shop at these stores as they fulfil a minority of our needs and they do employ a large number of local people
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.
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
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 too
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
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Global Boarders, Lowena, Chynoweth Lane, St Hilary
Penzance, TR20 9DU, Cornwall, UK
Copyright © Global Boarders 2007
Registered Company Number: 5660242
