Homemade Surf Wax

So the other day, after watching the new documentary A Sea Change at the DC Environmental Film Festival, I got to thinking... so what's is in my surf wax? (Ok, probably not the first question I person could ask themselves, but I figure I could directly impact this one). So a quick Google search and I found that yes in deed it's all petroleum based ingredients. You could go to a surf shop and pick some up (I hear Matunas Surf Wax is really good), but I'm a big fan of making stuff at home. Another quick Google search lead me to a recipe on Surfing-Waves.com for Organic Surf Wax:

Here are the ingredients:

Beeswax
Coconut Oil
Tree Resin (cool water wax only)

For Sticky Warm Water Surf Wax :
You need only two ingredients, the Beeswax and the Coconut oil. With this recipe you don't have to worry about the scent as it will smell really nice already.
1. Melt 2250g of beeswax wax
2. Warm 750ml oil
3. Stir into the wax until fully mixed.
4. Pour into Paper cups and let it set.
There is a temptation to use other vegetable oils. Don't bother. Coconut is the one.

For Sticky Cool Water Surf Wax :
The mixture now is 3 parts Beeswax, 1 part coconut oil and 1 part tree resin. Make in the same way adding the beeswax coconut oil and tree resin together and stirring well.

FYI...Tree resin can be bought in the form of granulated incense (as used by the Catholic Church). I did a little googling and found the best place to buy is incense shops. You don't need the fancy stuff.

What to Do With All Those Plastic Bags?

Now as much as I diligently try to remember my reusable shopping bag, there are times when I end up at the grocery store without one. Or as I found out over Thanksgiving, my mom hoards them to line her trash cans (yeah mom for reusing). So after a while, if you are like me, you end up with a nice supply that I usually take some place to be recycled.

Here's an interesting alternative:



Marlo's Crochet Corner gives instructions on how to crochet your very own recycled plastic tote in several designs including instructions on how to make a plastic ball of "yarn". Now I haven't crocheted in years, but I found the process fairly simple. I'm probably 1/2 of the way done with my gigantic tote (ok so I went a little crazy with it). But it seems likes it's going to be an extremely durable bag great for the beach!

Click here for instructions!