Flax On The Beach Surfboard

A Flax Fibre composite surfboard, 100% Fiberglass free.

The production of conventional surfboards has barely changed over the past thirty years. A core is shaped out of lightweight plastic foam and wrapped in a composite of synthetic resin and Fiberglass. The only real advancements material-wise have been the replacement of polyester resin with epoxy and the switch from a PU foam core to one made of EPS. This essentially means that severely unhealthy plastics have been replaced with ones that are safer to work with and slightly more eco friendly.

However, Fiberglass is still being used. Despite it being severely unhealthy to work with, toxic, and non reneweable. Fiberglass emits tiny glass splinters when cut or sanded, both of which are necesarry steps in the production of surfboards. These splinters pierce the skin and cause severe irritation to nose, eyes and airways.

Replacing the fiberglass with a natural flax fibre weave, combined with a partially bio-based expoxy resin (29%), paves the way for the next step in surfboard production. One that is non-toxic, a lot more renewable and thereby better for the health of surfboard shapers and the environment.

Contrary to fiberglass, lax fibre can be dyed and printed on, allowing for a whole new outlook in surfoard design. In this case some of the reinforcing patches on the deck of the board have been dyed with natural indigo.

Besides the board itself the fins have also been hand made with the same flax fibre composite.

Exhibited at:

Design Academy Graduation Show, Dutch Design Week 2019

Yksi Expo, Eindhoven 2020-2021

Museum ‘De Domijnen’, Sittard 2021

Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam 2022

* The board is now retired from being on display and spends its time surfing.