Fergal Smith starring in one of the steeziest soft-top drop-ins we’ve seen. Photo: Skunkworks
It’s no secret most surfboards aren’t great for the environment. The market for soft tops is no exception. The UK’s SkunkWorks Surf Co., however, is now specializing in foamboards that use a polyethylene foam core with a minimum of 30 % recycled material. From a performance perspective, this polyethylene foam makes the board stronger and more flexible than the status quo. And while individual surfers might find the sustainability improvements encouraging, the upgrades have an even more practical impact on a different segment of the surf market: surf schools.
“The company arose from the frustrations I had with the boards in my surf school, and that they continually fell apart,” says SkunksWorks Surf Co. Founder, Ricky Martin. “My brother Chris then immediately began to research the problems in foam boards and how to solve them. We are now four years into the project and have spent almost £1,000,000 on research and development.”
A million pounds in the name of sustainability and durability in surfing is nothing to sneeze at.
For those who are horrible at taking care of their equipment, Skunkworks says their boards can combat a range of temperatures as high as those in Death Valley to the coldest colds of Northern Russia. So you don’t have to worry about leaving your board outside on the patio or strapped to the top of your car for too long. They won’t bubble. They won’t crack. But for the environmentally conscious surfer, they also leave 10 times less chemical residue, because no chemicals or solvents are used to create or blow the foam together.
In addition, manufacturing is where the real magic happens. The common way to bond all materials together is through glue. Glues are not reliable due to their feebleness over time. Temperature changes from constant sunshine striking the board to submergence into ice cold salt water, makes glue break down especially fast. Instead, they use a unique heat bonding method which connects all parts of the board together and discourages the lamination from falling apart, making this board perfect for surf schools all over the world. Lifespan is on fleek. In addition, the team at Skunkworks has managed to involve some top engineers for the UK and Ireland where they manufacture them in their Northern Ireland-based factory. They’ve shipped surfboards to surf schools in UK, Ireland, Holland, Portugal, Spain, France, and Norway. If you’re running a surf school – they’re taking orders now.
Editor’s Note: This feature was made possible by our friends at SkunkWorks Surf Co.
