This summer we are swinging into gear with a number of new initiatives that make kayaking on Vancouver Island greener then ever. Here at Spirit of the West, we get our kicks on brainstorming ways to green our business! Here’s what we’ve brewed up for the summer:

• Aside from being stylish and red, our new lifejackets are made with Gaia PVC-free foam: a friendly alternative to the traditional foam used in lifejackets. PVC is “among the EPA’s 20 most hazardous substances”, a known carcinogen threat and a CFC ozone depleting material. Phew! We can all float a little lighter, knowing that our flotation is healthy for us and for the earth!
• Also stylish, our new t-shirts are made with organic cotton and 50% of the profits go towards supporting education for children in countries where getting to school isn’t just a matter of getting on the bus. Free the Children is a non-profit run by children for children and is leading the way in empowering kids worldwide through innovative projects. Very cool!
• Breanne has been tending the garden and making sure that the tender organic veggies destined for consumption on kayak-trips, don’t end up in the bellies of local deer!
• Speaking of veggies, our latest step as a certified Carbon Neutral Business was to purchase a diesel van which we plan to convert to biodiesel in the fall. Running our van on veggie oil will significantly cut our carbon footprint, taking our commitment to minimizing our impact deeper.