The Big Sea

The Big Sea - The price of the perfect wave is greater than you think
Surfing is killing it. This $10 billion global industry – built on a clean, green dream – has never been more popular. Surfing has set out its stall as the champion of environmental issues. But surfing has a dirty secret, and people are dying.
From filmmakers and lifelong surfers Lewis Arnold and Chris Nelson, The Big Sea is the independent documentary exposing surfing’s hidden links to Cancer Alley and the devastating impact of our toxic addiction to Neoprene.
The majority of wetsuits on the market today are made of Neoprene – the commercial name for chloroprene rubber. This synthetic material is born out of a carcinogenic chemical process so toxic that the California government requires wetsuits to carry health warnings.
There is just one chloroprene plant in the USA. Rising from the site of a former slave plantation in Cancer Alley, Louisiana, the chemical factory casts a deadly shadow over the community fighting for the right to breath clean air. Cited as a renowned case of environmental racism the EPA confirms that due to chloroprene emissions, the cancer risk to residents here is the highest in the USA; it is 50 times the national average.
Neoprene is used in products from cars and trainers to luggage and fashion but surfing is the undisputed poster child for this controversial material. Confronted with the human cost of Neoprene production, and with a readily available, natural rubber alternative that quite literally grow on trees, will the $2820 million wetsuit industry end its toxic relationship with Neoprene, and use its position to turn the tide.
Linking carcinogenic chemicals to the products we use to enjoy our leisure time, The Big Sea uses the lens of surfing to unwrap issues of environmental racism, social justice, corporate responsibility and greenwashing. Giving voice to the lived experiences of community activists, accompanied by insights from scientists, industry insiders, surfers, environmentalists and more, this life and death tale of two seemingly unconnected communities explores the power we have as individuals to effect change.
What they’re saying about The Big Sea:
“One of the most important outdoor films of all times which exposes how deadly environmental racism and the petrochemical industry collides with surfing.” Keme Nzerem BAFTA nominated journalist, Channel 4 News presenter
"A powerful piece of work." Sir Jonathon Porritt, Environmentalist, Activist, Former Director Friends of the Earth
"The film that changed an industry." Ian Stewart, CMO Xcel Wetsuits
“Beautifully made and outstandingly delivered – this is quite simply one of the most refreshingly crafted documentaries I’ve seen in a long time... a challenge to anyone, not least the brands, to make a change.” Will Rose, Led By Donkeys
“The most focussed 70 minutes of environmental and social campaigning by surfers ever.” Chris Hines MBE, Surfers Against Sewage Co-Founder
“An extraordinary piece of work exploring environmental racism with the power to reframe the conversation and drive real, tangible change. If you think this film is just about wetsuits and surfing, you’re missing the point.” Matt Barr, Looking Sideways
“Life or death journalism the like of which surfing has seldom seen.” Mike Lay, Editor Wavelength Magazine