The leading water sports manufacturer, Starboard, known for designing the latest iQFOiL Olympic Windsurfing Class, has received the coveted Sport Positive Award for its groundbreaking approach to environmental impact reduction and positive change.
Partnered with the International Olympic Committee, BBC Green Sports Awards, and UN Global Climate Action, the Sport Positive Awards honor organizations leveraging sports to address global challenges like climate change, environmental justice, and biodiversity conservation. Starboard’s efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, restoring land, and protecting oceans earned them top recognition, highlighting their commitment to leaving a lasting positive impact. The company believes sustainability is no longer optional but a crucial responsibility for future generations.
Innovative Initiatives Powering Starboard’s Impact
Starboard’s initiatives include founding the Plastic Offset Program, a VERRA-certified beach cleaning and community support project. Partnering with the Worldview International Foundation, they’ve also planted enough mangroves to sequester ten times their total company emissions. These actions illustrate how Starboard combines innovation and purpose, demonstrating that both sport and business can drive substantial environmental impact.
Svein Rasmussen, Starboard’s CEO and a former Olympic Windsurfer, captures their mission:
“It’s all about progress, ambitions, and sharing… We’ve proved that leading businesses and Olympic Sports alike can become positive for the planet.”
Collaborative Efforts and Environmental Milestones
Starboard has collaborated with organizations like the Professional Windsurfing Association, International Canoe Federation, and World Sailing. Most notable is Starboard’s pioneering role in creating and supplying equipment for the iQFOiL Olympic Class, which debuted in Paris this year as one of the Olympics’ most environmentally conscious events.
The awards spotlight the profound environmental impact made by sports organizations globally. In the Climate Impact Reduction category, Starboard stood out among strong contenders like the acclaimed Ocean Race. Selected by an independent panel of experts, including leaders from UEFA, Formula E, and the NBA, Starboard’s achievement marks them as the first-ever winner of this title.
Celebrating Amara Witchithhong: A Champion for Ocean Advocacy
Celebrations extended to Amara Witchithhong, Thailand’s first female World Champion Windsurfer and a longtime partner of Starboard. An advocate for ocean preservation and a former Olympian, Amara won the title of Regional Leader – Asia, marking her dedication to protecting her “home,” the ocean. Amara’s life journey from poverty to global recognition underscores that success in environmental advocacy is driven by passion and determination rather than scale.
A Vision for Industry-Wide Change
As Starboard looks to the future, they aim to support similar initiatives across the industry, hoping to inspire meaningful action and widespread sustainability.
For more information on how to join or support Starboard’s mission, please contact: eco@star-board.com