It does the heart good to see surfers, shapers, and manufacturers trying to thread the needle of maximum performance and maximum sustainability in surfboard construction. From foam blanks grown from algae, or made from processed seafood waste to wood-wrapped EPS boards, in recent years the industry has collectively recognized the toxicity of surfboards and made an earnest effort in reducing that carbon footprint.
Wooden surfboards have enjoyed a resurgence (guys like Grain Surfboards even go around the country teaching budding craftsmen how to build their own). But often wood boards are much heavier than their toxic foam and resin counterparts making them unfeasible for surfers looking for performance.
This precise dilemma is what led Irish surfer, Fergal Smith, to Tonn Surfboards – an Irish operation hoping to bridge that gap. The board that Fergal’s writing comes out to a little over 6 pounds, which still sounds a little heavy. But the promise is a much more durable alternative to fiberglass and foam boards that ding easily.
