15 Years of Surfing with Purpose: The Eco Surf Shop Journey
Eco Surf Shop has established itself over the last 15 years as a leading retail specialist in the eco surf market . We sat down with owner Stefan Weckert to hear how he has developed his business and how he works with the small eco brands.
Can you tell us the story of Eco Surf Shop from the beginning?
Sure! I founded the business 15 years ago. At the time, I was struggling to find sustainable surf products in Europe. I had to order from far-away places like California or Australia, which didn’t really make sense for someone who cared about the environment. That frustration turned into motivation, and I decided to open a surf shop that focused only on eco-friendly gear. What started as a small project quickly grew into a reference for conscious surfers in Europe. Today, I have a physical shop in Loredo, Cantabria, and an online store that reaches surf communities across the continent and a great team of people around me.
How do you select the brands and products that align with your environmental values?
We always prioritise brands that are created with a sustainable purpose at their core. It’s not just about green marketing—we look for companies that really walk the talk. We love working with small and independent brands that are innovating in the right direction, whether that means using recycled materials, minimising plastic, or having ethical production practices. Every product we carry has to meet a standard of quality, functionality, and environmental responsibility. If it doesn’t tick those boxes, it doesn’t make it to our shelves.
Where do you make most of your sales, online or in your physical shop and why?
It depends on the season. In summer, our physical shop in Loredo is super active. We’re located in one of Spain’s surf hotspots, and we welcome a lot of surfers from all over Europe—many of them discover us while on holiday and love that we offer something more conscious. But for the rest of the year, most of our sales happen online. Our web store (ecosurfshop.eu) is where our community from Germany, France, and the Nordic countries shop with us. So both channels are important, just at different times.
What are some of the trends you’re seeing in the surfing industry, particularly when it comes to environmentally conscious products?
We’re definitely seeing more surfers becoming aware of their impact—both in the water and out. There’s a growing demand for alternatives to traditional materials, like bio-resins, recycled leashes, and plant-based wax. Another trend is the rise of local and handmade boards, which reduce the carbon footprint compared to mass-produced ones. People are starting to ask more questions, like “Who made this?” or “What’s it made of?”—and we think that’s amazing. Sustainability is finally becoming a real factor in purchase decisions, not just an afterthought.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in bringing eco-friendly products to your customers?
One of the biggest challenges is pricing. Eco-friendly materials and production methods often cost more, and that can be a barrier for some customers—especially when comparing prices to mass produced gear. We try to educate people on the value behind the price: better materials, fairer labour, and longer-lasting gear. Another challenge is availability. Sometimes sustainable brands are small and can’t restock quickly, or there are delays because they’re producing in a more responsible way. It’s all part of the process, but it requires patience and understanding from both sides.
How does Eco Surf Shop engage with its local surfing community?
We’re lucky to be in Loredo, where there’s a strong surf vibe all year round. We organise and support local beach clean-ups, surf events, and sustainability workshops. Our shop is more than a place to buy stuff—it’s a meeting point. We often collaborate with local surf camps that share a similar philosophy, especially those that promote ocean awareness and responsible surfing. Many of these camps use our handcrafted surfboards from Kuntiqi and Collective Surfboards, which helps us spread the message of sustainable surfing even further. We also host screenings of surf films that focus on environmental and social issues—these are great moments to bring the community together and start conversations around surfing with purpose. We love being part of the local scene and supporting it however we can.
