water folk and the enviroment

when you care about where things come from and where they are going, it isn't always easy to find what you are looking for. from food to clothing to a surfboard bag, there IS someone out there doing the right thing.

one of our favorite companies is Patagonia. everything about them tells you how much they care. we have been involved with these guys for many years. from having buddies in the company, to wearing their gear, to chowing down on some organic grub in the private cafe in Ventura, Ca, we absolutely love these guys. if you aren't familiar with the company, take a peek at:

http://patagonia.com/

everything that they make has a purpose, a history, and a future. things are meant to last, they strive for organic, fair trade and for function. it isn't about fashion seasons or to keep up with others, it is for making tracks and for saving what we have.

we recently read Yvon Chouinard's, the founder and creator of Patagonia, book, 'Let My People Go Surfing.' if you want to see how people should live, play and work, this is a good read. he isn't your normal business man. in fact, he is a huMAN with a business. this book only makes you admire what Patagonia stands for even more than the products alone. it is a tale of his journeys from a young man climbing, starting a business, watching his prints and caring for the folks who have helped him build an amazing conscious company. their misson statement:

"Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis."

we were on the hunt for new surfboard bags and have been disappointed with what we were finding out there. alas, we remembered that Patagonia introduced board bags. not only do we know that we are supporting a good company, we also know that they support 1% for the planet, meaning that Patagonia gives 1% of it's sales to worldwide environmental efforts.

so, two big ole 10 footer board bags arrived the other day and we couldn't have been more excited. just in time for a roadie to Rhode Island and Maryland, these bags come with an ironclad guarantee, another one of Patagonia's efforts to stand behind their products. we shall put them to the test and see if they are just as wonderful as everything else that we have bought from them.

so, make what you buy worth it. put some thought into your money and don't buy disposable garbage. use what you got until it falls about beyond belief and when you are ready for something new, DO THE RIGHT THING. as waterfolk, we know that what you what you dispose of ultimately ends up in the wrong place. nothing ever goes AWAY.