Your average surfboard is made from polyurethane, epoxy resin and plenty of other hazardous materials. They break easily and are often thrown away after a few years or even months of use. This means those materials often end up leeching into the environment, including the ocean in which they’re supposed to be enjoyed. Inspired to do something about it, designer Martin Spurway linked up with Otter Surfboards in Porthtowan, UK to create a wooden surfboard sourced from sustainable woodlands.
The board design mixes traditional surfboard construction techniques similar to Tom Blake in the 1930’s with a modern form and aesthetic. The construction started with the inside frame of the board, which was glued to the bottom skin. On the second and third days, the rails were built up from a series of strips. By the end of the third day the top was glued on. From there on, it underwent shaping and sanding of the rails as well as blending in the nose and tail. The top and bottom skins and rails are made using Western Red Cedar wrapped over a poplar hollow frame.
A board this beautiful is deserving of a bespoke bag, so Martin went on to make the perfect accessory. His bag not only protects the board when traveling with its 10mm padded walls, but offers extra protection to the nose and tail. Aesthetically, it emphasizes features such as the fin slot with reflective polyethylene in contrast to the 600 deniers recycled polyester.
Designer: Martin Spurway for Otter Surfboards
