Eco-Boards: Better for the Earth, Better for your Quiver, with Locus Surfboards

Not many people, especially in the shaping industry, have a story arc quite like that of Tyler Hopkins. Until about a decade ago, shaping surfboards was not something he even considered as a career path or a hobby. At that time, Hopkins was a surfer, motorcycle enthusiast, and from 9 to 5, a corporate salesman. That was until a traumatic brain injury completely altered the course of his life. 

The way Hopkins views it, before his injury was a different lifetime and he was a different person all together. He decided to start shaping not because he saw it as a career path but because surfing is what fulfilled him and after he couldn’t find a shaper to make the board he wanted, Hopkins decided to do it himself. Shaping also became his aid in helping work through the injury and gave him something to lean into and focus his energy on. Soon enough, the attic became the shaping bay and Locus Surfboards was born. 

The move towards shaping eco boards was a practical decision more than an emotional one. Hopkins started using more eco-friendly materials not because it meant he could market the boards as sustainable but instead because it was simply less harmful for himself. Making boards start to finish in his home meant whatever materials he was using in the construction were the ones he was living with everyday. Not to mention it was such a tight space that it was impossible to make a board bigger than 6’6.

Making eco-boards was a necessity more than a choice and to Hopkins, it just made the most sense. The more in depth look you take at what goes into making a traditional Polyurethane (PU) surfboard, you’ll quickly realize that the majority of the raw materials used in surfboard production are horrible for the environment and the humans making them. From the petroleum based PU blanks, to the particulate matter coming from the foam and fiberglass during the shaping and glassing process, to the extremely high number of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in traditional resin and foam. A.k.a there’s a whole lot of shit in surfboards.

So why is it that as surfers we are usually at the forefront of promoting ocean health and sustainability in everyday life, and yet neglect our own industry? The answer seems pretty straight forward: the fear that the quality and feel of our boards will suffer.

There is a common idea in the surfing world that as soon as we move away from PU boards, performance will suffer. Just look at the conversation around Epoxy boards, most surfers are quick to point out its pitfalls in relation to PU construction. Locus Surfboards is changing that. According to Hopkins, eco-boards can be made much stronger and perform better than PU construction, it just takes a little innovation and creativity.

To start, all of Locus Surfboards are made with Marco-foam, a type of 100% recycled foam that is produced from off cuts of commercial styrofoam and EPS blanks. Recycled foam may not be the end all be all solution, but by removing harmful off cuts from the waste cycle it’s a step in the right direction. While there are many advantages of Epoxy(EPS) construction like better flex and rebound from turns, surfers often complain about the “chatter” felt when surfing in sub-par conditions, but Hopkins has found a solution for that. By inlaying even a small patch of flax fabric into the deck of the board, that chatter disappears because of the vibration dampening effect of the flax.

When it comes to the resin, by sourcing eco-resin made in part with tree sap, the glassing stage is inching towards becoming more and more renewable. On top of that, the eco-resin has shown to cure even stronger than traditional epoxy resins while not adding much of any weight. The result is a stronger, longer lasting board with all the advantages of EPS construction minus its hindrances, not to mention a board that is far better for the planet. 

While we might not be seeing a full eco-board quiver under the feet of a CT surfer for a while, the vast majority of surfers can really benefit from eco-boards like those of Locus Surfboards. Overall, Tyler is optimistic about the future of sustainability in surfing and the industry as a whole. That being said, he knows that there is still a long way to go before we can start calling boards truly sustainable, which is why he tries his best to avoid the word altogether when talking about Locus boards. 

The shaping and glassing process still produces massive amounts of waste, regardless if they’re made with eco-based materials or not. In particular, there is a long way to go in the way of recycling foam, reusing fiberglass offcuts, and up-cycling resin excess. But a little creativity goes a long way and Tyler has one idea that has helped him to up-cycle his old brushes that would otherwise end up in the trash. By cutting slices out of old chip brushes used in the glassing process, he layers them into a fish like design and with a little resin makes transparent fins to be used as glass ons.

Little steps in the right direction can make a big impact in the long run and we are going to need a lot of little steps to help fight the climate crisis. As surfers, demanding more from the way our boards are made is one of those steps that, as a consumer, can help to change the whole of the surf industry for the better. So next time you’re ordering a custom, ask your local shaper if they can make an eco-board, or even better, give Locus Surfboards a call.