Instead of a traditional fiberglass and resin lamination, Grain uses flax fabric vacuum bagged to the inside of the board. Photo: Grain Surfboards
Surfboards are really, really bad for the environment. It’s a bit ironic, given that many surfers think of themselves as stewards of the planet. Meanwhile, we’re flying around the world, riding toxic chunks of foam and covering our bodies in toxic materials. But there are a handful of surfboard makers attempting to do better, and Grain Surfboards is one of them. Recently, they came up with a new method of construction that, in the brand’s words, “redefines how surfboards can be built — eliminating foam, fiberglass, and virtually all resin from the process.”
The people over at Grain made a name for themselves by building wooden surfboards. Beautiful surfboards. Functional surfboards. Surfboards not nearly as bad for the environment as one made from foam and fiberglass. This new construction created by the company is called Bio•Logic, and seemingly makes those beautiful and functional surfboards even cleaner.
“Bio•Logic boards are built and shaped using Maine-grown Northern White Cedar, FSC-certified plywood, natural cork, and 100 percent natural flax,” a press release explains. “Instead of a traditional fiberglass and resin lamination, Grain uses flax fabric vacuum bagged to the inside of the board — resulting in a board that is lighter, more flexible, and more responsive underfoot.”
That last part is a claim that has yet to be fully tested by consumers, of course, but the material base is certainly a healthier one. Co-founded by Mike LaVecchia, Grain Surfboards has been searching for a way to make cleaner, higher performance boards for some time. Now, the brand thinks it has done just that.
“After more than two decades of refining wooden surfboards, we’ve reached a goal we’ve been chasing since day one,” said LaVecchia said. “A performance board with zero foam, zero fiberglass, and virtually zero resin.”
Surfing in particular is prone to greenwashing. Manufacturers and brands know that surfers, for the most part, would prefer to buy something that isn’t going to kill the places we love, but balancing that with running a profitable business is a tough thing to do. Grain is aware of that, which is why it leans into radical transparency. Sure, it’s a bit of a buzzword, but in this case, maybe it’ll work.
“Why do we say ‘virtually zero’ resin? Because we believe in being honest about our craft,” the team explains. “We’ve eliminated more than 99 percent of resin used in traditional glassing. What remains is just a few essential ounces necessary to install fin boxes and leash cups.”
So far, Bio•Logic construction has already perked up a few ears. It won the Trailblazer Award for Innovation at the Maine Outdoor Economy Summit, which could go a long way in manufacturers using it for other innovations outside of surfing. As an added bonus, Grain Surfboards are also functional pieces of art (they look incredible).
“Each Bio•Logic board is designed, precision-cut, and assembled in Maine,” the press release reads. “The interior is sealed with flax fiber, while the exterior is finished with a plant-based hard-wax oil — creating a durable, repairable surface that truly brings out the natural tones of the wood. The result is a surfboard that feels ‘alive’ in the water while dramatically reducing environmental impact.”
It’s still early days with Bio•Logic, though. The first people to get their hands on it will get a board through a limited release called the “Founder’s Batch.” They’re built to order with a 6-8 week turnaround. It’ll be interesting to see if this material will make the impact its creators are hoping for.
