You probably know by now that surfboards are actually full of toxic stuff that can make Mother Nature wince. But did you know you can reduce your guilt level by investing in a greener board for an eco friendly surf.
“Surfboards are probably the least eco friendly part of the sport, considering that their polyurethane foam cores, fiberglass wrapping and polyester or epoxy coatings are toxic and petroleum-based, and manufacturing new boards is generally energy-intensive.
But there’s a new wave of shapers making durable, high-performance boards that are also greener.
Some use recycled styrofoam with organic hemp glassing fabric and resin made of wood pulp and vegetable oil. Others integrate sustainable materials like bamboo in their boards’ wrapping, stringers and fins. And others are entirely made of sustainable woods—whether hollow balsa blanks sealed with hemp or cotton or whether traditional alaias (plank boards made of koa or paulownia, which don’t require sealants).
These alternatives have matching price tags (like, two to three times as much as a normal board), so for green-minded and budget-conscious surfers, consider secondhand boards sold on Craigslist or at your local surf shop.
If you (and your pockets) are ready to give an environmentally friendly surfboard a shot, take a look at this list compiled by Sustainable Surf. The list features surfboard shapers who have pledged to create greener boards for anyone looking for an eco-friendly surf experience.
“Current minimum qualification for ECOBOARD labeling requires the surfboard to be made from at least one of the following components:
A foam blank made from at least 25% recycled foam or at least 25% biological content*
An alternative blank structure made from majority content (75%) renewable materials such as wood or bamboo
Resin made from at least 25% biological content*
Have you ever purchased eco friendly surfboards from any of the surfboard shapers mentioned on the list? For more ideas on how to have an eco friendly surf experience and protect the planet at the same time, point your clickers here.
And if you can’t afford one of these eco friendly boards, check out the used board section of your local surf shop. if you turn to Craigslist, be sure you know how to tell a good used board from a bad one.
Pingback: How to Select the Right Board for Eco Friendly Surf « surfingnewsdaily
Nice post bro. Going eco can be challenging when picking the right surfboard but in the end we all got options and our wallet is a great way to show our support.
Derek, Wave Tribe
Thanks Derek. And thanks for all the great enviro-friendly products YOU offer the surf community. I couldn’t imagine how stank my car would smell without your charcoal bag that absorbs the smell. Here’s the link for readers who don’t have this: http://www.wavetribe.com/Smell-Good-Wetsuit-p/overture-charcoal.htm And here’s a review Surfing News Daily did on the product.