In the quest to make the cheapest, super-performing surfboards and mass produce them to meet the demand of surf fans, materials and technologies have gone from being handmade masterpieces to standard, disposable products. Only recently has a change in this trend begun to be noticed, it makes us stop to reflect and ask ourselves: what is the true price of surfing?
Sustainable Surf and Pure Strategies have recently completed a lifecycle study of a more sustainable surfboard. This compares the carbon footprint of a standard “poly” surfboard (PE resin/PU blank)* vs. an ECOBOARD made with bio-based epoxy resin and recycled content EPS blank.
Is it possible to make responsible consumer choices without knowing the issues behind theproducts you buy?
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Does the naturalistic image of surfing pose a barrier to a more critical view of the sport itself?
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Which factors actually influence surfers when buying a sustainable surfboard?
In 2021 the NGO Good Karma Projects , under the program #RIDE&RESPECT conducted a study to understand the behavior of surfing consumers when purchasing a new surfboard. The results should help us understand how we, as concious surfboard makers, are seen and which steps we should take in order to convince surfers that our alternatives are trustful and worth.