Bamboo Surfboards

In 1999 Shale Gordon began a surfing revolution with the production of a new kind of surfboard. Made of bamboo, the new boards were lighter, faster and more maneuverable than traditional fiberglass boards. More than that, they were better for the environment as fiberglass or polyurethane manufacture is toxic and fiberglass boards difficult to recycle.

Based in Byron Bay, Bamboo Surfboards Australia (whose users include professional surfer Sonny Garcia) has drawn a lot of attention from the surfing world. Using bamboo, the strongest natural material on earth (relative to its weight), improves strength, lightness, buoyancy and as a substance is a renewable and environmentally friendly product. The primary strength of the board is in the skin, with the weight distributed away from the center of the board. This gives the board both strength and increased performance.
According to the company's website, the board's environmental features include:

1. Non-toxic closed cell foam, as a core (styrene); which does not take water, is less toxic, vastly reduces waste and is recyclable.
2. Epoxy resin, which has 2/3rds fewer volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and less than 6% solvents.
3. Bamboo covering which has twice the strength of fiberglass, and 6 times the strength of steel for the same weight. Bamboo is flexible, light, totally natural and therefore non-toxic at all levels of manufacture.

The company now exports about thirty percent of its products and are making in-roads into the Japanese market, which has seen a rapid increase in interest in the sport. No need to stop at surf boards, bamboo has limitless potential application, and in the sports market alone can be applied to skateboards, wake boards wind surfers, snowboards and skis.

For more information on Bamboo Surfboards Australia, visit the official website at http://www.bamboosurfboards.com/ or contact info@bamboosurfboards.com.au