Cliff Kapono Is At The Top Of The Green List - Stab Mag

Live Now — New Episode Of How Surfers Get Paid — Agents & Managers

423 Views

Cliff Kapono Is At The Top Of The Green List

Lab coats and board shorts.

elsewhere // Jan 28, 2021
Words by Jack Mutschler
Reading Time: < 1 minute

As you may recall from The Pick-Up, Cliff Kapono is not just a surfer. With a doctorate in Ocean Chemistry, he devotes his time to preserving Hawaii’s coral reefs. Sure enough, his passion and expertise have earned him the top spot on Conde Nast Traveller’s Green List. The list celebrates those who take action and look after the planet.

According to CN Traveller:

When not experimenting with sustainably made boards – the subject of his 2016 documentary Surf Wasted – or studying the health of Honoli’i’s coral reefs, he’s hitting the swell armed with swab tests for his Surfer Biome Project, a bacteria assessment of ocean users that casts a forensic eye on how we interact with marine ecosystems.

A professional surfer who is conscious of his community and ecosystem. Clearly, Cliff Kapono’s impact reaches beyond the realm of surf culture.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Jack Lost His Coach, Molly’s Bagged A New One

Meet the coaches and crews of the Final 5.

Aug 27, 2025

There’s A Real Chance This Thing Runs At Restaurants

Whispers around Tavarua point to a WSL Finals location change.

Aug 26, 2025

We’re Giving Away $100K In Oceanside… And You’re Invited.

Join us for the Surf100 Finale: Live voting, drinks & food on us — September…

Aug 26, 2025

The Italo Has Landed

And Cloudbreak got its tour card punched through 2029.

Aug 25, 2025

Surfing In The Age Of The Climate Collapse

Dave Rastovich and Pacha Light reckon with the hypocrisy at the heart of surfing.

Aug 25, 2025

We Asked Five Experts Who Will Win The WSL Finals 

Doug Silva, CJ Hobgood, Dooma Fahrenfort, Mateus Herdy, Parker Coffin — all gave different answers. 

Aug 23, 2025

Stab Interview: Who The Fuck Is Sebastian Williams?

Our first Surf100 finalist is a surf prodigy with one hell of a story.

Aug 22, 2025

Cheat Codes: How To Love A Board That Hates You With Mason Ho

An expanded guide to surfboard fun, physics, and a little self-sabotage.

Aug 21, 2025

John Florence’s Preferred Foam Manufacturer Halted Production — Is A Buyout In The Works? 

Rumor: Arctic to be bought by Cobra.

Aug 21, 2025

Take Stab’s 2025 Audience Survey, Win A New Surfboard + Kit

Fins, boardshorts, and Premium subscriptions also up for grabs.

Aug 21, 2025

Puerto vs. Barra: The Price of Development

A tale of two Mexican surf towns.

Aug 19, 2025

Come Party With Us And 100+ E.A.S.T. Boards In The Desert

Secure your tickets for an electric vision quest at Palm Springs Surf Club.

Aug 18, 2025

Will The Real Sea Shepherd Please Stand Up

The house Paul Watson built — and the board that locked him out.

Aug 18, 2025

Introducing Seven Of Planet Earth’s Hardest Charging Children

Are the kids going bigger, smaller, earlier? Shane Dorian offers perspective.

Aug 17, 2025

Morgan Maassen’s 2025 Post-Teahupo’o Power Rankings

"My greatest global economic indicator is the rental car scene in French Polynesia."

Aug 16, 2025

How Grant “Twiggy” Baker Secured A 3-Year Rip Curl Deal… At 52

Knowledge is power.

Aug 15, 2025

Surfing Won’t Pay the Bills? A Million On Red Might

When surfers don't get paid.

Aug 15, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 6

The first spot in our $100K finale goes to...

Aug 14, 2025
Advertisement