Can a good board be ...

Can a good board be more environmentally friendly. Well, personally I think we are getting closer. Check this out:

ENVIROFOAM CORE 09

The first 100% recycled surfboard core


■Marko was interested in taking their in-house recycling process to the next level and found a material process that will take all post-use EPS scrap material and reformulate it so that it could be re-manufactured into a solid blank again.
■In 2006 that reformulation process was being developed and in its infancy and now in 2009 the manufacturing process has been perfected. This innovative technology allows all types of EPS regrind to be made into a high grade moldable material for production again. The material is called Envirofoam, and is looking to be a solid choice for a sustainable blank material in the surfboard manufacturing process.
■Marko has tested this material for use in blanks and finished boards with some of our select customers. With positive results, Marko was granted an exclusive global contract securing the manufacturing and distribution of this revolutionary process for all water sports applications. Marko is proud to be a part of this amazing process and now introduces the first 100% recycled EPS blank into the market in May 2009.

Now, many complain of the ride characteristics of EPS. It's not the gold standard ride that Polyester Resin and a Polyurethane blank provide. I'm the first to admit that. I personally like the EPS/Epoxy combo on small wave boards. Though, if I had to choose, my ride choice would, without a doubt, be the PU/PO combo.

Resin-X was introduced to the market about a 18-24 months ago. Many people were very excited about the product, as it had great flex characteristics, a real good ride, and has very little harmful effects on the environment, as well as the manufacturer. Despite great ride results, It pretty much failed when used with Polyester Blanks due to inconsistancies in Polyester blanks, as well as inconsistant melt temps. Plus, it provided a hurdle during production. It takes a little more work, and some different techniques need to be used during the application and finishing process. This didn't flush well with the already struggling production glass shops. Plus, it is more expensive than Epoxy, which is already twice the cost of Polyester Resin.

One place that Resin-X has thrived is when it is used with EPS. It provides a light board, with a good flex pattern, and also a flex pattern that doesn't deaden over time. This combo has been tested all over the world with good results from top surfers. Including extensive testing in Hawaii by Mikala Jones.

So, with the Marko Enviro-foam blank and Resin-X, it think it is a possibility to make more earth friendly boards that might work as well as PO/PU. It might take some time of development, and might make boards more expensive, but I think it's time.

I've been toying with starting to try and make boards that work, look decent, and are more frindly to Mom Earth. I've got a gallon of Resin-X in the cabinet and a Marko blank (granted it's not an enviro-blank). Nonetheless, I should be able to get a few boards out of this gallon. We'll see how it goes.