Bart Vernooij

Department: Public Private
Website: www.bartvernooij.com

Flax on the Beach

What: A surfboard made with natural flax fibre and an epoxy resin that is partially bio-based.

Why: The way surfboards are manufactured has barely changed over the past 30 years, despite new developments in materials. They are still covered in a composite of synthetic resin and fiberglass. The fiberglass releases tiny toxic splinters during production, which attack the skin, eyes and airways. None of the standard components are biodegradable or renewable.

How: Flax fibre is non-toxic, biodegradable, renewable, and safe to work with, paving the way for a new, greener generation of surfboards.

“A plant-based indigo dye complements the natural flax”