Materials for Surfboards

Here at HSD we offer a variety of materials for our surfboards. All boards are hand-crafted in the USA by surfers.

Poly boards- these are traditional boards made from polyurethane blanks and polyester resin. The boards are lightweight and durable, but not indestructible. Dings can be fixed with epoxy or poly kits. We recommend these boards when performance is key, as many people like the flex and "life" of poly boards. It takes about a week to glass a poly board, but with solar catalyst this process can be done in 24 hours, but it'll cost you. The base price we quote you is for a poly board.


Epoxy- these boards are made with expanded-polystyrene (EPS) blanks, epoxy resin, and x-glass. Epoxy resin is stronger than polyester resin and doesn't give off as many VOCs (not as stinky) so some glassers prefer to work with it. The blanks are lighter and therefore you can get stronger glass without making the board heavier. Epoxy boards are more durable than poly boards, but still ding and when they do you need to make sure to get them out of the water ASAP. Dings can only be fixed with epoxy kits, the styrene in polyester resin will eat away at the foam. Epoxy resin tends to yellow, so we recommend keeping the board out of the sun completely for at least 5 days after the last coat of resin goes on. We recommend these boards for people that don't use board bags, really like light boards, or need extra float.


Eco-boards- this is the greenest construction we offer. We special make the blanks with at least 30% post-consumer recycled EPS, FSC certified bamboo stringer, and laminate them with a linseed epoxy resin. Everything can be washed up with soap and water. The boards are lightweight and strong and don't get those little cracks where heal compressions happen. Dings can be fixed with regular epoxy kits. We make sure that the companies we source these materials from do their best to run a green business. We recommend these boards for everyone.

Ray At Night

The second Saturday of every month Ray St in North Park turns into a celebration of art. The street closes down, the shops and galleries stay open late, bands play, and art lovers come to enjoy the talents of local artist. This Saturday, August 8th, Andrea Holeman will be part of the celebration at the new Soul Ryde showroom located at 3819 Ray St.

She will be showing her recycled surf resin and vintage jewelry creations, paintings, and surfboards (including eco-friendly and Rad Girls boards). Come and join in the fun and experience a wonderful celebration on local art!

6-10 pm
3819 Ray St
San Diego CA 92104

Surfrider and Green Boards

Last night's Surfrider meeting was about educating surfers on the greener options now available to surfers. The San Diego Chapter invited Ned Mc Mahon of Malama Composites, JP and Andrea Holeman, and shaper Jake Moss. Each company is trying to build a greener surfboard and lessen their carbon footprint. Everyone also agreed that the health of the people making the boards and materials was a big motivating factor to cleaning up the industry.

The surf industry is an old-fashioned and stubborn thing, especially when it comes to the building of surfboards. The technology used until Clark's closing in 2005 had been relatively unchanged since the 1950's, when foam cores were invented. Since 2005 there has been a rush of technology improvements and experiments to improve aspects of surfboard building. Its confusing for those of us in the industry to keep up with the different foams, what they are made of, what resin it needs, new epoxies, stronger cloths, and what fins and boxes are made from. I can't imagine a consumer trying to sort it all out, so Surfrider engaged us all in a discussion about greener options for surfboards.

Ned Mc Mahon is a great source of information. He thinks like a chemist, talks like someone that knows about composites, and really cares about worker's health and the environment. He's been leading green improvements for some time now and seems determined to educate consumers. He talked last night about ingredients in foam, resin, catalyst, and cloth. Ned explained that foam and resin can be made from basically any oil- soy, linseed, castor, petroleum- but there's really no getting around (yet) the toxic catalyst that account for less than 5% of the final products. He and Dan Van Zaten showed off a new Super "Green" surfboard that looks futuristic, but is a green option. There is no sacrifice on performance.

JP and I brought in a board Wyatt is laminating for me. It wasn't done yet, but it was good enough to explain what we have been working on lately. Its made with 30% post-consumer recycled styrofoam (we can get 100% now if you want it), a bamboo stringer, sealed with Elmer's glue, and laminated with a linseed epoxy. Everything can be washed up with soap and water. The fins are the tricky part. JP can hand-foil some from scrap wood if I want glass-ons, or i can just use Futures. Rumor has it they are going to be greening-up their fins and boxes because of demand, so thats good. JP and I try to run our business like we run our home- sustainable and green.

Jake Moss showed off his latest, tripped out design. Its made from locally sourced greener materials and has bamboo fins also made locally. The bamboo fin was an interesting story- the guy making them chose bamboo because of it strength and flex and didn't even realize or care that he had a greener product. Jake talked about durability, how any oil can be epoxified, and hemp.

The three presenters all proclaimed the same message really. There are green surfboards, not in stores yet, so you'll have to look around and ask for them. You can get greener, custom, hand-shaped boards that perform and last. Surfboard builders are striving for cleaner, safer work environments. The "Wal-Mart" mentality of cheap, cheap, cheap has all but made the once booming and revered craft of surfboard building an "endangered species". Smaller carbon-footprints are good.

Change starts small, change starts local, and change starts with you!

Green Surfboards

JP has always wanted to make high-performance, environmentally sound surfboards. Something that is not poisonous to the workers or the immediate surroundings. Something that maybe biodegrades or can be recycled. For past Surfrider events he has collaborated with other environmentally-conscious surfboard builders to create better boards.

What makes a surfboard green though? Is it taking TDI out of foam? Must it be all-natural? We at HSD have some opinions on this that we would like to share.

First, you vote with your dollars. Consumers are the best catalyst for change in business. If you, an eco-minded surfer, want a high performance board made from recycled foam that is durable, ask. If you keep showing up with money in your hand and leave without buying when you can't get what you want, businesses will notice. And change.

Second, there are different aspects to consider when thinking about "going green". If you want to lessen your foot-print and support local businesses, then order a durable epoxy hand-shape from a local shaper that gets boards glassed by surfers in your area. Take it one step further and ask about a blank made from recycled foam or plant-based linseed epoxy. Did you know that styrofoam can be recycled over and over again while retaining all of its virgin properties? Its about as recyclable as aluminum. An important note on the "durable is green" arguement is care. You need to take care of your board and fix dings properly in order for it to last.

Next, we realize that it is a big investment to buy a board made in a new, possibly experimental technology. The board may not come out as fast as "regular" boards and it might be hard to fix. Ask yourself, what kind of car do you drive? A new H3 or a Prius? Why didn't you buy the car that spends more on marketing, because you know that long-lasting environmental degradation is not cool. Ask your shaper or surfshop kid about technologies, feedback from people who tried the boards, how you can try a board, and just be interested in green technology.

Finally, change takes time so be patient and keep asking. Just be willing to experiment, be prepared for some room for improvement, and engage other surfers in discussions about green technologies. Be the change you want to see, isn't that what they say. If you want to learn more, swing by the Surfrider chapter meeting in Oceanside this Weds, July 15. JP and other surfboard builders will be talking about what they've seen and tried, what they are going to try next, and take questions.