It’s no hidden fact that modern surfboards are far from being sustainable surfboards.

But as the environmental impact becomes more and more of an issue there are brands pushing a more eco friendly alternative, from flax cloth to bio resins.

I got my hands on one of the Eco Evo sustainable surfboard range to see if sustainability and performance can go hand in hand…

Eco Evo Surfboard Review – The Sustainable Surfboard Brand

Who Are Eco Evo?

Based out of Sydney, Australia – Eco Evo Surf aims to open up the market in eco friendly sustainable surfboards – with a range of options to suit all levels and style of surfer.

So whether you’re learning to surf or an experienced waterman there’s an environmentally friendly option for the next spot in your quiver!
 

 

What Makes Their Board Sustainable

I’ve chatted briefly about Eco Evo already in my sustainable surf brand guide but there are a few key elements that really set Eco Evo part from the mainstream surf industry in terms of the eco credentials of their construction and material process.

• Their 6’0 board generate just HALF the CO2 emmisions of a regular PU board
• 5 trees planted to offset the emissions of your board
• Flax cloth inlays – created from plants.
• Glassed using bio resin – which are even vegan friendly
• Recycled foam blanks

Another key point on their more eco friendly construction process is that the eco alternatives they use are also friendlier for people creating the boards, as well as the planet – with bio resins and flax cloth creating far less toxic fumes and irritants than their traditional counterparts, which is always a good thing.

The combo of flax cloth and bio resins also creates a much more hard wearing surfboard – meaning your sustainable surfboard should last much longer, in much better condition than a traditional board.

Win, win!

And if you want to learn more about their more environmentally friendly building processes check out this link.
 

 

Board Models

So what boards are currently in the Eco Evo sustainable surfboard range?

Shortboards

Ground – a great daily driver which works in everything from 1-5 foot

Inertia – high performance swallow tail which can handle everything from 2-8 foot. 5 fin setup

Rocket – their one board quiver, covering a huge range of conditions. 5 fin setup

Seed – with flatter rocker, this is a great go to for smaller, mushier conditions

Transition – suitable for higher end beginners right through to experienced surfers, can handle anything you throw at it!

F3 – a combo of their Flax Fish and Flax Flyer, higher volume and can be ridden as a twin or quad

Flax Fish – fast, loose and fun, this twin fin will bring excitement to even the most sub par conditions

Midlengths

The Middy – a mid length thrust running from 6’8 through to 7’2

Longboards

Hana Performance Log – their performance longboard, featuring pin tail and 2+1 fin setup

HB Log – inspired by the longboard of the 60s, surfed as a dedicated single fin

 

 

What Are They Like To Surf?

And of course, the key part to any surfboard is what are they like to surf? After all – it doesn’t matter how eco they are if they frustrating in the water!

The first impressions of my Flax Flyer was how solid the board felt, it’s well constructed and feels super durable – a combination of the recycled core, bio resin and flax cloth. All without feeling overweight.

I’m pretty heavy on my backfoot and even after a few months of waves, the deck is holding up solidly, which much less pressure dents than my PU boards.

When it comes to wave based performance I have to admit that I haven’t tested out any of their high performance shortboards, but the Flax Flyer felt on par with my usual boards – both in terms of paddling and surfing.

Sure I can’t say the eco side of things improves performance, but it certainly isn’t hindering it and the board surfed great, but with the added feel good factor of being more environmentally friendly!

 

 

And The Price Tag?

So does all this added sustainability add to the price tag of the Eco Evo Surf sustainable surfboard range?

Well, the shortboard range is around AU$1,190 – which with the current surfboard market is a tad more expensive, but not ridiculously so.

In comparison a new stick from Lost, Pyzel or DHD will now set you back at least AU$999 – so effectively it’s an extra $190 to reduce the environmental impact of your next board, which isn’t a bad trade off, especially given the added durability of their boards, which I wouldn’t hesitate to say will far outlast any PU build!

Have you surfed any of the Eco Evo surfboard range?

Any other eco board brands you’d add into the mix?