What are the advantages of buying a balsa rather than a foam surfboard?
A. The Environment Protection Agency closed down US Clark Foam in 2005 because its foam surfboard blanks use nature distorting compounds, toxins, known poisons and carcinogens (VOCs,TDIs). Many companies have moved to factories in China and use MDIs which are fractionally less toxic. Foams bubble structure means surfboards break easily and release more toxins, new complex structures that improve strength are now available, but with so many patented layers they are difficult to repair. Balsa wood is vital for global ecology, supporting ecosystems and releasing oxygen, even its dust particles are big enough to be effectively caught in masks protecting the health of the shapers. Good quality balsa is incredibly lightweight, dings are repaired with more wood and the strength of the wood grain means that they dont snap in two, so you can recoup your investment in just a few years.
