Words by SURFER: "The Nexus of Surfboard Building and Sustainable Tech"

The Dirty Truth

The surf industry has a dirty (not so secret) secret—The way boards are built is f*cked. 

For decades, PU foam, fiberglass, and resin have dominated board-making—at the cost of durability and sustainability. Cheap to produce, quick to break, and impossible to dispose of responsibly, these materials have shaped an industry that prioritizes short-term performance over long-term impact. Finally, that’s changing, and SURFER Magazine is accelerating the shift, shining a light on the environmental toll of traditional surfboard manufacturing and spotlighting progression in their recent article: Ancient Materials & Modern Tech, the Future of Sustainable Surf.

The takeaway? Change isn’t far away—it’s already here.

Mass Produced. Toxic. Disposable.

The problem runs deeper than just materials—it’s a systemic issue. The modern surfboard industry thrives on mass production, built around semi-disposable boards that crack, dent, and end up in landfills in a few short years (even months).

Making matters worse, traditional PU foam blanks rely on petroleum-based chemicals, polyester resins emit toxic fumes, and glassing shops create mountains of waste. Even so-called “eco-friendly” improvements often amount to greenwashing—incremental tweaks that fail to address the real issue: the entire system needs a reset.

Finally, Hope.

The tide is turning. Events like the Sustainable Surf Symposium are bringing together innovators, shapers, and environmentalists to challenge outdated processes and rethink how boards are built.

As SURFER Magazine puts it, "We are on the precipice of a massive revolution in surfboard fabrication—a blend of futuristic innovation and returning to more traditional materials and methods."

This shift is about more than just “greener” materials—it’s about redefining performance, durability, and accessibility in surfboard design. We can finally give surfers boards that ride just as good, last longer, and leave a light footprint.

"The Nexus of Surfboard Building and Sustainable Tech"

SURFER Magazine calls FUNNER Surf Craft "the nexus of surfboard building and sustainable tech," highlighting our fusion of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge innovation as a model for the industry’s future.

Being recognized by SURFER isn’t just an honor—it’s proof that this shift is real. At FUNNER, we’re blending time-tested materials like wood, basalt and flax with modern 3D printing to create boards that surf great and are built to last. Innovation, sustainability, and performance aren’t competing forces; they’re working together to reshape our future.

More to Come

This is just the beginning. SURFER Magazine is set to take an even deeper dive into the materials, minds, and movements driving the future of surfboards—exploring how FUNNER and others are pioneering the next generation of surf craft.

This movement is growing. Stay tuned for what’s next.