The Carbon Cost of Surfboards

THE CARBON COST OF SURFBOARDS

In the pursuit of low cost, high performance boards delivered to the growing number of surfers, the manufacturing of surfboards has evolved from hand-crafted pieces of art to mass produced expendable consumables.

Approximately 500,000 new surfboards are sold each year around the globe. The global surf industry is worth US $2.7 Billion (AU $3.95 Billon) for the year 2022

SO WHAT IS THE REAL COST OF SURFING?

CARBON EMMISSIONS OF A 6FT SHORTBOARD

Have you ever wondered where most of the CO2 is captured within your surfboard? What individual compenents have more of a negative impact on the environment?

We have calculated the breakdown of emissions for a typcial 6ft shortboard = 165KG CO2.

CARBON EMMISSIONS OF A 6FT SHORTBOARD

Have you ever wondered where most of the CO2 is captured within your surfboard? What individual compenents have more of a negative impact on the environment?

We have calculated the breakdown of emissions for a typcial 6ft shortboard = 165KG CO2.

THAT EQUALS

SURFBOARDS ARE NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT TO TAKE APART FOR RECYCLING

The foam blank often contains a central timber support piece called a stringer.

The traditional outer finish of polyester or epoxy resin typically has fibreglass cloth set within it. A modern surfboard also has fin boxes and a leash plug, often fixed with glue, and both are set within the resin.

Estimates for the breakdown of polystyrene (one of the main types of foam used in surboard blanks) range from 500 to 1 million years. Rather than degrade, it breaks into small pieces (or microplastics) which can spread far and wide.

SURFBOARDS ARE NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT TO TAKE APART FOR RECYCLING

The foam blank often contains a central timber support piece called a stringer.

IT'S ONLY RECENTLY WE'RE SEEING THAT THE TIDE IS CHANGING TO PAUSE, EVALUATE AND ASK - WHAT IS THE REAL COST OF SURFING?

Data produced by Carbonhalo, written by Wavechanger 2022. Download the full report below.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT