Natural wood surfboard: how ecological is it?
From time to time, the development of surfboards improves: new manufacturing technologies and materials appear or manufacturers find and use new materials in the construction of surfboards.
So, in search of progressive ideas, a special group of surfboard makers decided to use high-quality wood as the main material in the manufacturing process of boards. The use of large wood tiles resulted in the creation of works of art.
Initially, it was conceived that the use of wood due to its characteristic qualities will lead to an increase in the performance of a surfboard.
Such wood surfboards have become a really good choice for athletes who care about the environment and want to buy a board with high-performance characteristics.
So, these surfboards are created on the base of natural wood materials that do not harm the environment and special technologies in production maximizing the environmental effect and creating the minimum amount of harmful emissions of processed materials into the biosphere.
Wood surfboards are an ideal choice for those who are worried not only about the quality of their surfing but also about the environmental situation in the world.
One of the creators of such wood surfboards is Danny Hess from Hess Surfboards. He is a professional wood processor who now lives and works in California.
He is a manufacturer who, in the construction of surfing equipment, has focused on the special properties of the wood material. He approaches the use of material resources very thoughtfully and responsibly.
He believes that the materials and production methods provide the highest level of productivity with a minimal negative impact on the environment.
So, the technology of the on-board equipment allows him to achieve the goal of creating a dream without harming nature.
The company creates each of its wood surfboards using Amapola, Cork, and Poplar systems.
These materials are used due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. This ratio is useful when making a wood frame for the entire perimeter of the surfboard.
These boards, framed with a stringer around the entire perimeter, do not allow the board to curl which sometimes happens to the equipment made of the foam materials.
The elimination of such twisting characteristics is the key to the absence of twisting during torsion. The existence of bending during torsion can lead to a decrease in the speed of the surfboard.
The special design of this company provides flexibility memory along the stringer and the rail line. This provides an efficient energy supply that is highly responsive to the waves.
Our hero uses a foam core made of the foam which delineates the types of production of the old and new systems. The manufacturer uses wood paneling to form the bottom and contour of the sides.
Thus, we can see the difference in the modern and outdated production of surfboards and the materials used.
This type of production has a significant advantage due to the environmental aspect.
The wood from which the surfboards are made is pre-harvested and processed. So, initially, this wood material is distinguished by its stability.
Foamed polystyrene materials are added to the wood as well as special corks that are capable of environmental processing on their own.
Such material as epoxy resin does not emit highly volatile inorganic compounds in the outside world, so its use is justified.
For each wood surfboard, half of the fiberglass materials used in a traditional board (which is made of polystyrene) is used.
Wood does not break like a standard foam surfboard, so it is a more tenacious material and will last longer on the water.
Also, such a wood board does not lose its responsiveness over time like other surfboards. So, you are unlikely to find durable wood boards in landfills, especially those that have finally died.
«Hess» is not the only company trying to produce environmentally friendly surfboards from natural materials.
On the Internet, you can find many manufacturers who monitor the harmful emissions of their production and try to protect the environment avoiding these nasty materials.
Such manufacturers care not only about environmental friendliness but also about the surfing safety of their customers.
The problem of our favorite sport is that no matter how manufacturers try to reduce emissions of harmful substances, surfing is still harmful to both the environment and people.
Unfortunately, surfing is one of the biggest pests for the biosphere.
We think that we should all take time and effort to find a more environmentally friendly way to surf and the materials that can help it.
Perhaps you should concentrate on recycling old products to get new ones. So you can find new technology and materials for processing and creating surfboards which will help preserve the environment.
