The Big Sea

Surfing is booming, with a $10 billion industry built on an eco-friendly image. But beneath the clean, green dream lies a dark secret—one that is costing lives. The Big Sea, directed by Lewis Arnold and Chris Nelson, is a gripping documentary that uncovers the hidden link between the surf industry and the toxic world of Neoprene production.

At the heart of this exposé is Cancer Alley, a region in Louisiana where the USA’s only chloroprene plant—built on the site of a former slave plantation—releases carcinogenic emissions at levels 50 times the national average. The film delves into the devastating impact on local communities, environmental racism, and corporate greenwashing, questioning the surf industry’s role in perpetuating this crisis.

With natural, sustainable alternatives available, The Big Sea challenges the industry to take responsibility. Will surfing clean up its act, or will it continue to ride the toxic wave of Neoprene?