It’s undeniable an increase of global awareness when it comes to campaigning for more responsible behaviour in terms of sustainability and, the surf community has always been in the first line to protect the oceans.
However, not many surfers realise how negative is the impact of their...surfboard! In fact, polystyrene - the main component used in conventional ones - needs over 500 years to decompose.
To fight this waste many businesses are constantly looking for solutions. It’s relevant to mention the role of the ECOBOARD project; an international accreditation for brands whose aim is to promote the research and implementation of “green surfboards”.
Let’s check 8 brands that are excellent in terms of performance, esthetics and eco-innovativeness!
Ondanova
Hydrodynamic & makeable with your hands
Originally from Belgium, Antoine moved to Portugal in 2016, where he brought its passion for surfboards handcrafting.
He founded Ondanova, a minimalist, cool-designed and 100% Paulownia wooden eco-surfboard brand.
Together with his team, he teaches all around Europe how to build your own ecoboard. Wanna try? 👉 Here all the info!
Flamasurf
Born locally with a global vision
Flama is the pioneer of the eco-surfboards. It was the first label in Europe to get the Gold Level Ecoboard certification.
During the interview with The Surfpreneurs Club, Flamasurf’s founder Sergi admitted: “My biggest challenge then was to convince people that my boards were not wall hangers and that they were made to be ridden.”
With the 99% of eco material - paulownia wood, cork, and bamboo - Flamaclassic is the best seller. No need to convince you more!
Spoked Kooks
Softboards: #NOHARDFEELINGS
Funky, colorful and 100% made from recycled plastic waste, Spoked Kooks leads the market of the eco-friendly softboards.
Spoked Kooks is partnering up with SeaTrees and every time they make a board, a tree will be planted.
Also…how cool is the video-campaign!? 👇
WYVE
The one that brings you into space
With a very minimal carbon footprint, the Hexa Surfboards collection is locally produced in Anglet, France, planet earth. But the design looks from another planet!
The honeycomb structure of HEXA Surfboards allow you to see the ocean while you’re surfing, and guess what? They are made out of bio-based plastic from fermented corn starch.
Check for more here. Not on Mars! 🚀
Earth technologies
Shred is the new black
The dudes at Earth Technologies have been nominated the first zero waste eco-board production facility in the world.
In 2018, Earth Technologies launched the Zero Waste Initiative in which the waste is categorized, upcycled and recycled thanks to greelines products such as the high density plastic shredder.
Nevertheless, the colorful surfboards are a piece of art. Check their Insta!
Timbersurfco
Collecting wood from the ground? Hell yeah!
Yes, you read it right. Their products are made with wood 100% sourced from fallen trees! Timersurfco established trustworthy partnerships with sustainable mills and sawyers, who are instructed to collect only the ones that naturally fall.
Another key feature is the use of cork in the rails, material that can be harvested without the cutting protocol.
Do you want to learn how to DYI your own sustainable surfboard? With only $150 Timbersurfco teaches you how to do it 👉 (here). It’s not a walk in the park - as they state...but it's worth it!
Eco Surf Hawaii
The cool school project
Natalie and Shane had the idea to shape from scratch an eco-sustainable surfboard for their high school project in Maui, Hawaii.
They participated in the Vissla’s contest and with the help of Jaw Retro Surfboards they manufactured a board containing up to 5,000 pieces of ocean plastics.
Which grade would you give? 💯
Locus Surfboard
Built by a single pair of hands
Tyler made Santa Cruz his home and has been living there for the past 20 years. He expresses his love for the ocean by handcrafting alone eco-responsible surfboards.
Specifically, every Locus board uses E.P.S foam blanks and are glassed using plant-based epoxies.
Tyler had the great idea to recycle chip brushes used in surfboard factories and create fins. How? Have a look at the video below 👇
Predn sURF CO
Predn - The Cornish word for wood
Pete, Predn’s director, always wanted to build a wooden surfboard. In the summer of 2017, working like a “mad scientist”, he built 8 and founded the company.
Predn’s motto is “quality = sustainability”. So much that they built their own workshop in North Cornwell, which uses 100% green energy from the onsite wind turbine.
Already have a surfboard? No worries, Predn also sells handmade eco-balance board. The SeaBadger set for beginners and the Barracuda set for advanced.
Gaia Creators
Made to charge
With organic Epoxy, Gaia Creators’ surfboards are made to “revolutionize your practice”. The three types of technologies (orignflex, astroflex and infiniteflex) boost the responsiveness and flexibility of the boards.
They also have a Gaia-Creators Pro Team that brings together the most talented free surfers and kite surfers to test the equipment.
Check on Insta!
Written by Irene Vannucci
Human rights enthusiastic, wipe-out lover and chocolate addict, Irene is collaborating with Surfpreneurs Club as Content Creator to inspire you with the most exciting ventures in the surf community.
