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A guide to inspire the surfing world to go green and reduce our negative environmental impacts, featuring the latest environmental innovations from a range of diverse areas.
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- Introduction -
- Timber Surfboards - - Eco Hybrids - - Made From Cork - - Softboards - - Recycling - - Think Different - - Moving Forward - 
Each year we highlight the latest environmental innovations from the surfing world. We offer up a look at key developments in diverse areas, aiming to inspire sustainable practices across global surf culture. Our first edition of this guide, published last year, had 3000+ downloads and plenty of positive feedback.
It's worth reflecting on where it all started...
Early surfboards were invented in the Polynesian islands of the Pacific Ocean dating back 1000 years. Typically made from local wood, were up to 15 feet long and very heavy. Wave riding was also documented in West Africa and Peru, but it was Hawaii where it really advanced and took on spiritual and social significance. Surfboards were created with natural materials - coral or stones to sand, and tree bark sap or nut oil to treat, colour and preserve. These could be seen as pre-cursors to the modern materials that are used for surfboards today.
Hollow timber surfboard from 1930, yours for just AU$11k
Prior to the 1950s, timber was the dominant material used for surfboards. Can we go full-circle and realise its potential as the most suitable material for a surfboard? Given it's durability, low environmental impact, and natural beauty, perhaps we should be asking, why not?
The Red Dingo (Maurice Cole) by Varuna
Timber surfboards are rapidly growing in popularity, in particular thanks to the rise of internet coverage. Instagram, Pinterest and even craft/hobby sites are full of inspirational examples of passionate handiwork.
If you're in the market for a timber surfboard, there's no shortage from around the globe: Varuna Surf, Tom Wegener Surfboards and Sine Surf in Australia. KAYU Surfboards and Kinallo Surfboards in Indonesia. Hess Surfboards and Grain Surfboards in the USA. Ertha Surfboards, Andrea Rinaldini, and No-Made Boards in Italy. Aro Wooden Supply and Nobbywood Surfboards in Japan. MIO Boards and Backwood Surfboards in Germany. Zurf Boards and Siebert Surfboards in Brazil. Honu Woods and Yoni Surfboards in Portugal. Burnett Surfboards and WAWA Wooden Surfboards in South Africa. MedSwells in Spain. Tonn Surfboards in Ireland. 
Surfboard deconstruction (Tonn Surfboards)
There are also shapers who boast boards made from locally grown timber and employ local community members, lowering the carbon footprint but also enhancing the local economy and wellbeing of residents.
Surfboard building workshops are common too, like this five-day experience with Otter Surfboards in Cornwall, UK. David Weber Surfboards in Brazil and Piña Surfboards in Costa Rica both offer similar services. 
DIY surfboard workshop by Otter Surfboards
Located on a large African sisal agave farm in Kenya, GROW Blanks take the plants’ poles (the part of the plant typically discarded) and sell raw, sustainable blanks - ready for shaping.
Grow Blanks: based in Kenya, Africa
The next best thing after a timber surfboard? How about replacing synthetic elements with natural and/or low-impact alternatives. The inclusion of natural materials often includes trimmings of cork and timber for detailing and functionality.
Vacuum bagging is a great way to ensure effective bonding of timber veneers. Traditional fibreglass reinforcements are being replaced with low-impact alternatives like flaxseed, hemp, and linseed cloths, or even recycled/upcycled fabric which adds to the aesthetics. 
In Australia, there's eye-catching boards on the Gold Coast in Queensland, by Grant Newby Surfboards and Rocket Ace Eco-Surfboards, both use a range of eco-materials and are always evolving with their designs. South of Sydney, Treehouse Surf have beautiful boards that are crafted from inside a renovated shipping container.
Dave Porter of Treehouse Surf, Helensburgh NSW
Hughies Boards and Etc Surfboards, both on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, have a range of boards featuring timber, cork, and recycled EPS foam. Across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand, Verdure have surfboards made with locally grown timber, hemp fibres and even natural colouring pigments.
'Performance Twin' by Verdure in New Zealand
In Brazil, surfboards finished with revolutionary bio-resin are made by shaper Mario Ferminio, who uses 100% vegetable-based content to coat each board. Brazilian/Japanese shaper, Rodrigo Matsuda, produces boards inspired by his mixed heritage. Check out this short film to learn more about Rodrigo's story.
Handmade keel fins by Rodrigo Matsuma
Music, art, and an eco-conscience, drives Ashley Lloyd (USA) to create surfboards made with love and a mix of materials including flaxseed cloth as an alternative to fibreglass. Ryan Harris, based in LA, is a multi-skilled shaper who boasts a zero-waste studio that transforms shaping waste into new products. Soule Surfboards, based in Seattle, use bio-resin and flaxseed cloth.
For fans of the finless, Furrow Surfcraft has a range of funky timber Alaias and Paipos. Everyday Surfboards by Kelly Connelly include fabrics and petals as artistic and structural elements. Both are based in the USA. 
Charging ahead with exciting developments in Europe is an exciting project between Charlie Cadin and Herve Surfboards (both in Jersey, UK) and Sustainable Surf (USA), to replace traditional EPS and PU foam with a seaweed-based substitute. Charlie is well known for his experimentation with seaweed.
Experimental seaweed-foam has been developed by Charlie Cadin, UK
Further north in Cornwall, Predn Surf Co and Magical Mushroom Company have joined forces to challenge traditional bodyboard construction by creating a plant-based version made with mycelium (the root system of a mushroom plant) that's biodegradable, non-toxic, and truly awesome.
Bodyboards made from mushrooms, via Predn Surf Co and Magical Mushroom Company
If one country stands out for pushing design boundaries the furthest in surfing, look no further than France. The experienced team at NOTOX Surfboards continue to innovate, and now produce futuristic skateboards that are also made in France. YUYO Surf have been developing interesting hybrids, with this particular collaborative project that's featured in the short video below. WYVE go from strength to strength with an expansion of operations that's growing their range of cyber-punk, 3D-printed surf craft.
In the south-west of France, Polyola boast numerous green credentials - including an impressive PU foam blank made from recycled content that can be returned and recycled again. Nomads Surfing provide surfboards made with their bio-sourced polystyrene BIOM foam (some without stringers) and reinforced with natural flax/basalt cloth.
Polyola Surfboards contain recycled PU foam that can be recycled again
Kanoa Surfboards, founded in Germany but developed with collaborators in France, use their Honey Roots Technology (HRT) as the foundation for their boards. HRT includes a Polyola foam core and a range of natural materials such as timber, cork, cotton, hemp, eucalyptus, and jute. Boards are finished with a bio-resin over their innovative 3D honeycomb lamination which improves flex and limits damage.
Kanoa Surfboards use their innovative HRT lamination for extra flex and durability
Black Sands, based in the Canary Islands, build 3D-printed surfboards made from recycled PET plastic and... wait for it... old surfboards. Yep, boards made from boards.
South Africa is the native home of Donald Brink, whose hybrid designs and mix of materials is anything but conventional. Also in South Africa are WAWA Wooden Surfboards who have a hypnotic short film explaining their philosophy. 
Donald Brink: expect the unexpected
In Portugal, where there's the largest cork oak forest area in the world, the cork oak is the national tree and has been protected by law since the 13th century. Cork trees are harvested, not cut down. Bark is harvested from the tree every 9-12 years. Completely renewable and sustainable, harvesting bark does not harm the tree. This article, packed with photos, beautifully depicts the cork harvesting process in Spain.
Harvesting cork in Spain
Each time cork is harvested, cork bark regenerates itself (and in doing so absorbs CO2). In fact, cork trees live between 100 and 300 years. Cork is a natural, environmentally friendly material. It biodegrades completely and is easily recycled without producing toxic residues.
Yes, we like cork. Cork traction pads (or tail pads) are eco-friendly, and they look great. Based in Portugal (the Mecca of cork), ecoPro have a slick range of stylish pads. Across the border in Barcelona, RSPro have pads and modular tiles made from cork. Cork tiles are made by The Kook Co in South Africa. Nomads Surfing have a cork traction pad made from 15% raw cork bark + 65% recycled wine corks + 20% cork wastage. 
ecoPro - driven by nature
California-based Timber Surf Co have a range of cork-fleeced surfboards, as does NOTOX with their Korko range. Bodyboarders also have an option by Cork Bodyboards in New Zealand.
Almost ten years ago in 2013, Mercedes combined with big-wave legend Garrett McNamara (the latter resides in Portugal) and flexed their design muscles with a high-performance, cork-based, big-wave surfboard. 
What goes well with cork? Erm... aluminium? That's what Album Surfboards (USA) cooked up with this epic fusion of materials back in 2018. Four-time World Champ, Aussie Mark Richards, dipped his toes in the world of cork for this collaboration with Flama Surf (Spain). Last, but not least, this carbon and cork medley by Lost Surfboards (USA) is formed by vacuum bagging.
Mark Richards x Flama Surf
Softboards/Soft-tops often fly under the radar in the environmental debate, but they occupy a large slice of the market if you consider the demand for rentals, surf lessons, and beginners.
Softboards are the default option with most surf schools
We'd like to challenge manufacturers of softboards to try substituting plastic elements with more eco-friendly alternatives. Existing examples on the market have been utilising cork and recycled plastic.
Traditional softboard construction uses Ethylene-vinyl acetate foam (EVA) which is notoriously difficult to recycle due to the heat-sealing of layers in the production process. Due to the non-competitive use of these boards, there's a prime opportunity to make a modular board that can be taken apart to recycle. 
Spooked Kooks' surfboard deconstructed
Spooked Kooks leads the charge in soft-top surfboards in Australia, using recycled plastic for its main components. Meanwhile in the USA, Formula Fun will recycle 100% of your softboard upon return, and INT Softboards have recyclable foam blanks (they also use bio-based epoxy resin). The NOTOX Korko range, which qualifies as softboards, use natural cork for the top soft layer.
NOTOX Korko. No wax needed
Vying for top spot as world leaders in surf recycling, Nomads Surfing have a traction pad made from discarded sandals, fins made from problematic fishing nets, and even a surfboard leash made from old seatbelts and wetsuits. All made in Europe.
Nomads' traction pad, fins, and leash are all made from recycled content
Also in France, NOTOX teamed up with Airbus to recycle carbon fibre (finished with bio-resin) into high-performance surfboards for big-wave surfing. The alarming presence of discarded fishing nets is being addressed by Bureo (USA), who make a range of products using recycled plastic fishing nets, including frames for sunglasses, clothing and even groovy skateboards.
In the world of wetsuit recycling, kudos to Australian brands Rip Curl and Project Blank, who both offer recycling schemes (often in return for discounts on further items) to transform old wetsuits into new products and avoid the usual final destination of landfill sites.
Rip Curl and TerraCycle have an Australian wetsuit recycling program
WAW Handplanes, used in bodysurfing, use sustainable, recycled and reclaimed materials, using recycled plastic sourced from the Great Barrier Reef.
WAW BadFish is made from recycled plastic
Slater Designs partnered with BLOOM a few years ago and created a traction pad made from problematic algae biomass that's harvested from freshwater sources. They’re literally scraping pond scum, solar drying and pulverising it before foaming the material to create an alternative to traditional petroleum-based EVA foam.
Algae-based traction pad by Slater Designs
The emergence of 'expression sessions' with eco-surfboards has raised awareness of global waste issues, with the highest profile example being the Unwanted Shapes event and exhibition, with one particular edition featuring surfboards made from recycled Covid-19 waste. The short video below was used to promote the 2019 event in Peniche, Portugal.
We all have the power to improve our collective future by working together. Community initiatives and actions based on sharing (rather than outright owning) can help shift behaviours that benefit our planet.
Take inspiration from The Goat Shed, located in New Zealand, it's a community surfboard library, shaping room and a space to talk about all things surfing. You can even get your bike fixed there. 
Carlos and Lucas, founders of The Goat Shed, New Zealand.
Carve Surf & Coffee offer a similar set-up. Based in Florida, it's primarily a café but with surfboards for rent and a membership-based service called the Board Club.
Living in Japan? Grab a second-hand surfboard from usedsurf.jp who have an impressive range available. Their Instagram account is regularly updated with the latest boards to browse. A novel concept at Surf Neutral (South Africa) involves adding a QR code to your surfboard which allows shapers and surfers to track their board's location and original shaper. Surfboards can also be rented out through the Surf Neutral platform with optional damage insurance. 
Surf Neutral offers benefits to both shapers and surfers
Many countries are on the verge of (or already on track with) outlawing harmful plastics and chemicals, meaning it'll become illegal to create new products that contain those materials. The next generation of non-toxic materials heralds an exciting new chapter for design and innovation.
Plant-based materials are being used in a variety of industries and products outside of the surfing world. Ideas can be absorbed from cutting-edge footwear designs, for example - a sole made from banana skin by designer Sarah Harbarth, or how about a biodegradable, modular shoe that has an expiry date, by fellow bio-designer, Laura Muth.
It's a few years old now but still worth referencing, the Adidas shoe made from one type of plastic (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), which can be shredded and moulded back into another shoe, demonstrating a fully circular product. Imagine a surfboard or wetsuit made from just one type of material that could easily be recycled again and again.
Adidas FutureCraft Loop is made from one material
Biodegradable shoebox made from mushrooms? Yes please. This multi-stakeholder project is between Adidas, designers Mr Bailey and Black Ink Project, with scientists from Magical Mushroom Company and Ecovative. The same material is also being used to make 'living' coffins by Dutch startup Loop.
Could this be the shoebox of the future? We hope so.
Sticking with the fashion theme, Australian-based UPPAREL will take your unloved clothing, shred it up, and turn it into brand new upcycled garments. Would you rather have your old clothing turned into a brick? No problem. FabBRICK will transform your textile waste into bricks of all different shapes and colours.
At the time of writing, an ambitious project is underway between Australian brand Piping Hot and the University of Technology Sydney, to develop textiles made from seaweed. 
Bricks made of waste textiles from the fashion industry
More of a fruit lover? Perhaps you'd like this faux leather by Piñatex, made from cellulose fibres extracted from pineapple leaves, a waste product of the usable fruit itself, that are sourced in the Philippines. Could this type of bio-material be used in wetsuit designs?
Leaves from pineapples transformed into 'leather'
A similar alternative to leather has been by developed by Italian scientists at Vegea, using the by-product of wine making, namely discarded grape skins.
We know what you're thinking... show us a lampshade made from orange peel. This 3D-printed piece by Krill Design (also located in Italy), is once again, made from a waste product that's typically discarded. 
3D-printed lampshade made of orange peel by Krill Design
Humans have created a situation where our natural environment is in danger, and we must do everything in our power to change that situation. Those involved in the world of surfing all have a responsibility to play a part, but who says it can't be exciting...
Positive leadership starts from the top, so it's great to see the World Surf League (global governing body of professional surfing) playing its part via their environmental and social initiatives - WSL Pure and the We Are One Ocean campaign.
Now is a good time to set a timeline towards mandating eco-friendly surfboards in WSL contests. This would be a huge statement and could even inspire other professional sporting codes to follow. 
'We Are One Ocean' campaign by the World Surf League
In an extraordinary example of leadership, Patagonia Founder, Yvon Chouinard, is giving the entire company away to fight the earth’s climate devastation, as announced on the 14th of September 2022.
Chouinard, 83, created a specially structured trust that ensures Patagonia will continue to operate as a for-profit company, however, the proceeds will go to benefit environmental programs. The new structure, Patagonia's statement revealed, is designed to avoid selling the company or taking it public, which could result in a change of their values. There's never been a better time for collective action, with a host of organisations tackling key environmental and social issues. Surfrider, Sustainable Surf (and their Sea Trees initiative), Save the Waves Coalition, Surfers for Climate, and Surfers Against Sewage, to mention just a few.
Leadership roles can extend to athletes, leveraging from their position as role-models and often influencing large fan-bases via social media. In recent years, Australian pro-surfers, Pacha Light and Adrian Buchan, have displayed courage to speak out and take action on climate issues.
In 2019, Adrian Buchan (far right) won the WSL PURE Award For Outstanding Ocean Advocacy
Pacha Light has taken a massive step this year by partnering with timber surfboard specialists, Varuna Surf, in a bold statement that's sure to influence other pro-surfers.
Pacha Light is a team rider with Varuna Surf
You could take matters into your own hands...
Calling all designers, entrepreneurs and change-makers. Do you have a surfing business idea (or any environmental idea) that you'd like to develop further? There's no shortage of startup incubators/contests/hackathons, often with cash prizes, mentorship and connections to industry. We've cherry-picked some of the top options: The James Dyson Award Ocean Impact Organisation Climate-KIC Green Business Challenge Singapore Green Tech Challenge Earthshot Prize Green Industry Challenge On Program by CSIRO. 
Pitchfest, an initiative of Ocean Impact Organisation
Look for materials that can be recycled or have biodegradable properties. A useful guide to ask yourself is, what's the worst that could happen with this material/product? Start small and build momentum. Anything is possible, as demonstrated with the current wave of next-gen materials that are disrupting the market.
Paradoxal Surfboards (France) have been developing 3D-printed surfboards that use 750 grams of green algae per board, in an attempt to disrupt the market with innovative materials and production methods. This article, published by Surf Simply and featuring Paradoxal Surfboards, is a great case study of how nature, science, and technology can work together symbiotically. 
Paradoxal Surfboards: 3D-printed with an algae formula
Plan to reduce, or even eliminate, your current packaging. In most cases, plastic can easily be replaced with biodegradable alternatives, often as simple as using cardboard. Bonus points for using recycled content. Branding and logos can use harmful inks, glues and unnecessary additional materials. One solution is to emboss graphics - a technique which is particularly effective on paper and card.
Flexi-Hex produce cardboard packaging solutions for a range of products, including surfboards, that have a flexible, honeycomb structure. This product was developed by surfing twin brothers, Sam and Will Boex from Cornwall, UK, and it instantly became a hit. They've now branched out into packaging for other products such as wine, homewares and electronics. Proof that successful innovations aren't limited to just one industry. 
Flexi-Hex: cardboard packaging that replaces plastic
Have you considered providing a 'disposal plan' that goes with your product? It could be as simple as instructions on the back of the packaging, or a QR code that leads to more detailed information online. This will provide consumers with a clear path to how it's recycled, returned or (worst case) disposed of safely. Providing an incentive to return an item to the manufacturer is a tried-and-tested method. Manufacturers can then reuse materials and boast of a circular production facility.
London-based Teemill, provide organic cotton clothing that's designed to be returned and remade again. Each of their products come with a tag and barcode. Customers scan that barcode to receive instructions on how to return their item to Teemill's factory in the UK. Teemill cover shipping costs and customers receive a discount code for their next purchase. The Australasian Recycling Label, developed by Planet Ark, is a simple yet effective example of nudging consumers in the right direction. Perhaps the surfing world can start thinking of a similar universal initiative so that fewer surfboards end up in landfill sites.
Traditional offshore manufacturing is a prickly topic. Overseas operations often guarantee a cheaper transaction, and in some instances, side-step environmental regulations that are tighter elsewhere.
We believe there's a need for policy change, at least here in Australia, to enable onshore manufacturing to be cost-effective and feasible. If Styrofoam and other single-use items are being outlawed, then it's only a matter of time before it's outlawed for surfboard construction. In which case, the discussion shifts to whether environmental regulations overseas (or lack of) are being taken advantage of. 
Sine Surf make their boards locally in Sydney
The environmental and social benefits of local manufacturing typically ensure a much lower carbon footprint, a high-quality product and a thriving local economy that can be proud of its operations. Many emerging French surf brands have pledged to keep their operations on home soil for these reasons. We've heard suggestions from Wyve Surf regarding the installation of micro-factories at popular surf breaks. Watch this space.
Micro-factories provide a local solution, as demonstrated by Wyve Surf
If you've done everything possible to reduce your environmental impact, consider carbon offsets for emissions that are difficult to eliminate, to remain accountable while low-carbon options emerge.
Here at Wave Changer, we're proud to be offsetting any unavoidable emissions by purchasing carbon credits with our project partners, Australian based Carbonhalo. This goes to support certified climate-positive projects around the world. We think of it as a voluntary green tax. 
Final thoughts...
It's clear there are good intentions across the surfing world, from surfers, shapers and surf retailers to surf brands, manufacturers and industry bodies. Natural and plant-based materials offer much greater levels of sustainability versus petroleum-based materials. This would be the ideal template to work from if you're starting a business from scratch. Traditional surfboard manufacturing can be challenged for the good of the Planet. An interesting example of this is demonstrated by Varuna Surf. They use invasive and overgrown Indonesian balsa wood for their timber surfboards, while regenerating abandoned land using permaculture techniques. They're currently working with the government of Indonesia to expand green zones to reforest and revitalise baron landscapes. 
Varuna Surf base their production process on permaculture principles
Taking problematic waste streams and diverting it from landfill is imperative in the global war on waste. Nomads Surfing and Spooked Kooks are reinventing plastic waste into surfboards, fins, leashes, fin keys, and more. Both brands have brokered relationships with third parties who provide the waste, Sea Shepherd and Plastic Bank, respectively.
Offer consumers something a bit different and set yourself apart from competitors. Based in Italy, ERTHA Surfboards, sell do-it-yourself, hollow timber surfboard kits. 
Build your own ERTHA timber surfboard
Disruption of traditional consumer behaviours could come in the shape of a leasing model - rather than outright ownership of surf equipment - to move towards a sustainable, circular economy. This will go a long way to flipping the narrative of excessive consumerism.
Linear Economy vs Circular Economy (via Recycle Track Systems)
Key takeaways to enable meaningful change:
- Positive leadership from major brands, governing bodies and influential athletes - Fringe disruptors and innovators will benefit from more funding and a bigger platform to allow ideas to flourish - Support will be needed for shapers and producers of surfing equipment in the transition away from harmful components/materials and traditional manufacturing practices that will need to adapt - Discussions need to start (or ramp-up where they've already started) around the regulation of toxic materials, and to transition over to safer, eco-friendly alternatives - Get involved and enjoy the ride! Sign up, turn up, innovate, disrupt, share, and stay positive. 
We need a collective approach when it comes to thinking about nature itself: instead of seeing an infinite supply of resources out there, we should see nature as something that needs nurturing and protecting (and even working alongside with).
Once we realise this, we're able to see opportunities for positive change everywhere. Let's take useful lessons from the past and fuse them with new ideas and a fresh mindset, to ensure that surfing is a world-leading sport in delivering environmental sustainability. Thanks for reading. Get in touch if you have any feedback or ideas. 
Surfer vs Planet 2022
Produced by Tom Wilson Copywriting + edits by Laura Oxley |
