Two things pushed me to start shaping, I wanted access to specific shapes and I had access to the most modern, sustainable materials in the market.
While working at Surfrider Foundation I was blessed to engage with the innovators in surfboard materials and construction. After Surfrider I joined the Sustainable Surf Board and both ratcheted up.
From blanks being made of recycled EPS to blanks created from algae, it seems like surfing is finally embracing sustainable practices. Fins are being made from spent skateboards and stringers are more green than ever, made with high strength/weight ratio materials such as bamboo and applecore. Maybe the most interesting is resin from non-petroleum sources.
If this interests you, check out Sustainable Surf’s Ecoboard project and the motherload of sustainable materials listed here.
My boards embrace as many of these innovations as possible, check out the sources, innovators and stories below.
BLANKS
Marko foam (with bamboo and apple-core stringers). Arctic foam – blanks from algae.
RESIN
Entropy Resins – Super Sap Epoxy
FINS
Push fins making fins from skateboards. I tend to use Fins Unlimited MR2s and MR3s for twin glass-ons.
GLASSING
All my boards are glassed at LightsOut glassing in Oceanside,CA. Also noteworthy for endless innovation is Ryan Harris’ Earth Technology in LA.
