A SUSTAINABLE surfing brand is visiting Newquay to offer free wetsuit and clothing repair over the weekend (September 19 and 20).

Patagonia’s Wetsuit Repair Tour is organising repairs, wetsuit testing, upcycling workshops, film screenings and activism workshops at Project 83 in Wesley Yard.

The repairs will be offered on a first come, first served basis (Picture: Mike Guest)
The repairs will be offered on a first come, first served basis (Picture: Mike Guest)

Patagonia surf ambassador Frank Solomon will stage a screening of his new film Bambamaza on Saturday at 4pm, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Yvette Cave, who is also a Patagonia surf ambassador, will hold an advocacy and activism workshop afterwards at 5pm. A DIY upcycling working will be held on the Sunday in the afternoon.

All events are free or donation based, with proceeds going to Surfers Against Sewage.

Patagonia’s Worn Wear programme was created in 2013 to encourage people to take good care of their gear, washing and repairing as needed.

A spokesperson said: “Fixing the stuff you already own and using it for many sessions reduces overall consumption, which means less waste and more surf. Win-win. So, come on by with any clothes that need fixing, learn a few repair skills, or just say hello and hang out.

“Over the last year, Worn Wear events around Europe have repaired more than 3,000 items no matter the brand in more than 50 events.

“Extending the life of our garments, through proper care and repair, is the single most important thing we can do to lower our impact on the planet and reduces the need to buy more over time — thereby avoiding the CO2 emissions, waste output, and water usage required to build it.

“By keeping our clothing in use just nine extra months, we can reduce related carbon, waste and water footprints by 20 to 30 per cent each, according to the UK-based group WRAP – simply because we’re making and throwing away less.”