Green Surfboards? Not So Fast

Let's face it, the whole production process is an ecological disaster. All we can do is minimize consumption. Use less of everything and use it longer.

I think I posted this link on StokeReport before. It's a startup, run by some nice local guys entropy sports.

When anything is recycled, it needs to be separated into it's constituent parts. For instance, a toothbrush would require those little rubber bits to be pulled off.

What I learned from entropy is that recycling laminated sports gear (like skis or surfboards) is nearly impossible for that reason. Therefore, these things are destined to sit in the landfill until the sun fizzles out or Pete Swedra stops complaining - whichever comes first.

So, if you want to make a planet-friendly board, your only options are to put materials into it that don't tax the environment (for instance; waste or bio materials) and/or reduce the toxins for the dude that shapes it. The third option is to design a board less prone to dings and snapping in half - so it was a longer life span.

Like KOK says, best to minimize consumption.

and so much eco /green stuff is total bullshit.

There's a beautiful old home at corner of 21st and Sanchez. It's been torn up for a year. Truckload after truckload to the dump.

Now they've posted a sign out front about how it meets some LEED green building standard.

What a load: both the "green" assertion and all the trash from the project.

In my opinion.. the green surfboard rankings go like this:
1. Alaia with tung oil finish
2. wooden board with epoxy resin cloth (e.g. Grain Surfboards)
3 (tie). used surfboard
3 (tie). Imagine Surfboards 100% recycled foam and bamboo construction
4. biofoam and bio-resin based boards

The #3 spot is a tie because with a used board, someone else has already 'incurred' the environmental cost, but who knows how long the board will last and how much repair it will need. Imagine uses 100% recycled foam to make a new board, so the impact is much lower... and waterproof foam and vacuum bagging greatly extend the life of the board and reduce the amount of ding repair.

Biofoam/bioresin is last because these still use virgin materials, and most of the eco-impact comes from the energy needed to process virgin materials.

In full disclosure.. I do the environmental impact assessment for Imagine Surf... check 'em out. www.imaginesurfboards.com

While we're hatin' on the hypocritical nature of some of the feelgood initiatives. Last year I was lucky enough to enjoy a gourmet meal accompanied by the wine-master at Langtry Estates.

They do a small portion of organic wine - because of the demand. Turns out they burn a ton of diesel fuel pulling the weeding machine to and fro. Regular wine never sees pesticides anyway. Only a small amount is used on the ground near them.

Sucks.

What does this have to do with surfing? . . . uhhhh. . . beer tastes good after surfing and wine and beer are both fermented?

Vote me down bitches! Try me. Bring on the pain!!!!ARRRRRR!!!!