Making a Better Surfboard with Biofoam
By Rocky Thompson on July 16th, 2007
We haven’t heard much from Biofoam for a reason—their project to create an environmentally safe surfboard isn’t going all that well. Ned McMahon from Homeblown wrote this great, honest blog post about the setbacks of creating a plant-based surfboard. The bad news is that pro surfer Rob Machado buckled his new Eco-Comp bio-resin board on the third wave after being the first person in the U.S. to surf one. The good news is that after he told the developers that the board felt pretty dead during the first two waves, the builders haven’t given up. A non-toxic surfboard is still a ways off, but I’m glad to know that we have good people working on it.
via 70percent
Gimme a break…
Plant based surfboards? Non-toxic surfboards?
I though that something is only toxic if you ingest it. Who eats surfboards?
Want a board made from 100% renewable and non-petroleum based products?
It already exists. It’s called wood.
Plant-based boards that don’t crumple? Google “Duke Kahanamoku” for answers.
However, today’s boards are toxic. Nothing clean about them. The good news - not many of them although on a typical SoCal (or Kamakura) day, it might seem otherwise.
It should be noted that Machados’ board was tinted and lightweight. We feel that the tint probably inhibited the UV cure of the eco-resin. Biofoam with a polyester or epoxy laminate is as durable as any other foam. The eco resin has a specific gravity over 20% less than polyester therefore a heavier glass can be used to result in a similar weight board.
[...] If you’re sick of waiting for BioFoam to deliver and can’t stand the idea of an environmentally damaging product invading your feng-shui, then it’s time to for an Ocean Green Surfboard. Instead of foam and fiberglass, Ocean Green makes their surfboards from sturdy hollow balsa wood wrapped in organic hemp and cotton. It’s like taking a step back in time to the days before people discovered fiberglass and the harmful effects of smoking. [...]