craftmanship that's 10 years in the making
PARADIGM SHIFTING ECo-FRIENDLY BOARDS
Reclaim Surf uses EPS foam skinned in layers of Paulownia timber with high density cork on the rails. Boards are then sealed with a locally developed and sourced water based varnish. The only resin used in the creation of Reclaim boards is around the fin boxes and leg rope plugs.
Over 90% of the waste from the creation of these surf craft is recycled or returned to the soil as mulch. This construction produces a minuscule amount of toxic waste.
The end product is significantly more durable than both standard Poly Urethane foam, Polyester resin construction or the various combinations of Expanded Polystyrene foam and Epoxy resin variations.
Unlike current fibreglass surfboards that look less appealing with sun discolouration, timber veneers, tend to age gracefully like a guitar or a piece of furniture.
The boards themselves are “virtually indestructible” (Chris Garret 2022 on The Dustup Podcast) in the water. They do not get foot depressions on the deck and if they do hit rocks or another person’s fins, they’re easily repaired with veneer or cork patches, glue and a few layers of varnish.
Please view our ‘how to care instructions’ to ensure you get the longest possible life out of your board.
FOAM CORE OPTIONS
All Reclaim Surf boards are made from a Paulownia veneer top and bottom with high density cork rails. Sealed with a locally developed and sourced water based marine varnish - aquacote.
We offer 2 x foam core options:
Base Eco Model Raw - EPS foam is used for the blank, sourced directly from a factory where the waste is recycled.
Extra Eco Model - EPS foam is salvaged from the building industry (saving it from heading to landfill) and used to make the blank.
Dig deeper into our
Eco-Tech
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After years of experimenting with reusing, repurposing and Reclaiming building, and surfboard materials!
I have experimented with Bio epoxy resins as options but they are still creating an inert plastic that degrades (yellows) but never decomposes. The construction process still involves multiple toxic substances, even if you used vinegar as a the main solvent you still create some nasty toxic waste and you’re exposed to them in the factory.
I have experimented and prototyped a vast array of surfboard core materials (rubbish EPS, broken boards, recycled foams, even Agave flower stalks and Balsa wood) as well as a number of traditional and experimental outer skins for surfboard (Polyester resins; boat building, surfboard specific and plant based Epoxy resins; standard fibre glass cloth, Carbon, basalt, hemp cloth, recycled cotton and polyester fabric; various timber veneers, cork and water based varnish sealants.
All of this history of innovation experimentation and has led me to what I have now found to be the best balance of environmentally friendly and performance materials available on the market.
This construction method has been around for many years, people like Chris Garret, Grant Newby, Tom Wegener and many others have experimented with it for a long time. In fact the first board I ever made for myself was made with a version of the construction I use today. That was 10 years ago and board still looks amazing
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EPS is not new, it has been used for decades, but we source locally and our manufacturer reuses any offcuts in house to create more foam.
According to a recent article on Boardcave, not only is EPS a stronger surfboard foam, but it is far less toxic and more environmentally friendly than the PU/PE counterparts. It all comes down to harmful "Volatile Organic Compounds" released into the air during the shaping process. During epoxy surfboard shaping, the number of VOCs is reduced by up to 75%, which is helpful for both the shaper's health and our planet.
Unlike PU, EPS is recycled, making it the obvious choice for sustainable surfboard manufacturers and surfers alike.
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This is where @Reclaim_Surf really aims to “change the paradigm”. We use plantation grown Paulownia veneers top and bottom of our boards in place of fibreglass cloth and resin. For the rails of our boards, we use layers of sustainably grown high density cork. A repurposed product from the building industry, cork is a product that is harvested from living trees, season after season. Individual trees can be repeatedly harvested, continuing to grow and thrive year after year.
The toxins in this construction are vastly reduced. No acetone, No off gassing during a curing process. Just veneers vacuum bagged onto the top and bottom of the EPS core trimmed, then sealed with a locally sourced and created water-based varnish.
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Reclaim fin boxes are recessed in the veneer and foam with a minimal volume of epoxy resin and chopped fibres. The 4mm layer of veneer allow a solid strong bond without the inclusion of fibreglass cloth over the top of the fin box.
All Fin systems can be catered for although the Futures system has proven to be the strongest and most long lasting. If you are an FCS fan, we use the Modii fin boxes that are compatible with FCS 1 and 2 along with gearbox fins.
The Modii fin boxes use the same router system as Futures to give the extra strength and sturdy feel of Futures with an FCS fin.
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Our boards do not release chemicals into the environment after construction. Everyone fetishizes the smell of a newly glassed surfboard. But in reality this is the resin releasing VOC’s into the air and ocean as the resin is exposed to the air and water.
Heal dents and deck depressions are significantly reduced due to the double layer of veneers on the deck of the surfboard. It is very unusual for any of the boards built in this construction to develop any significant deck depressions even after the harshest, heaviest of surfing.
Overall the construction leads to a Beautiful, long lasting, environmentally friendly surfboard that performs to an extremely high level in any and all conditions.
What are you waiting for?
“Adam Baldwin first came to Vissla’s attention when he entered our brand’s annual Upcycle Contest. The global event challenges creatives from around the world to design a functional craft using 100% recycled materials. Indeed, Adam won the 2016 Most Functional Craft award for one of his entries and was acknowledged at a ceremony held in Southern California. He has continued to submit inspiring entries into the competition each year.
His success in the Upcycle Contest led to Adam joining Vissla at another event, this time a gathering of some of Australia’s greatest shapers at Manly Beach as part of the Vissla Sydney Surf Pro. Adam joined the A-list of shapers as they demonstrated their skills in a mobile shaping bay that formed part of the surf competition set up.
Vissla has also continued to work with Adam through his involvement with school surfing and also on the curation of vintage craft for another Vissla event. He remains an energetic, enthusiastic supporter of our events and captures the spirit of Vissla’s Creators & Innovators brand tagline."
~ John Mossop, Vissla Australian CEO Stokehouse Inc. ~