NSP’s CocoFlax Assessment: These Surfboards & Paddleboards Made From Coconut Are the Actual Deal

Coconut, flax, plant-based — no, you aren’t studying the components in a smoothie, however relatively, a surfboard. In an trade that tends to make use of numerous chemical compounds and supplies which are damaging to the setting, NSP is providing greener alternate options by incorporating coconut husks, flax fibers, and bio-based resins into its surfboards.

I’m an environmentalist. I’m additionally a surfer. However claiming to be each is a little bit of a contradiction: browsing is horrible for the setting due to the development strategies and supplies used to make surfboards.

Briefly: NSP is likely one of the few corporations that will have a sustainable and still-durable answer to the issue. We examined a number of totally different boards in its lineup, most just lately, the Countless surfboard mannequin made with the distinctive Cocomat supplies, constructing on the model’s earlier CocoFlax invention. Much less fiberglass and much fewer chemical compounds, however a stronger board? We needed to surf take a look at to learn how these coconut and flax rides carried out.

Notice: NSP’s distinctive coconut and flax board development has been on marketplace for a number of seasons and counting. NSP’s CocoFlax boards received the 2019 Paddle Expo’s Product of the Yr. We’ve additionally been testing since 2018. Right here’s our verdict.

The Environmental Impression of Conventional Surfboards

Most surfboards begin off as a clean, which is basically a giant chunk of froth that serves because the core of the surfboard and is formed into the board. Sometimes, blanks are produced from polyurethane foam (PU). PU blanks originate from petroleum-based chemical compounds, that are poisonous to the setting; in addition they aren’t recyclable, renewable, or biodegradable. The extent of the toxins utilized in surfboard making is documented pretty extensively throughout the trade — and these supplies and chemical compounds both find yourself in landfills or waterways.

Moreover, the polyester resin that’s used to seal surfboards is poisonous and has water-contaminating chemical properties. Not solely is the manufacturing of surfboards dangerous to the setting, however inhaling the mud and chemical toxins throughout the shaping course of makes it harmful for the shaper (i.e. employees) as nicely.

You’ll see the subject come up on-line, like on this 2016 quick documentary, Surf Wasted, in addition to the more moderen documentary movie, The Large Sea.

NSP CocoFlax Surfboards: Surf-Take a look at the Various

In an effort to create extra sustainable choices for surfers and reduce its affect on the setting, NSP launched its patent-pending Cocomat assortment of surfboards. To create the boards, NSP makes use of uncooked coconut husk fibers sourced from regenerative farms and an eco-friendly bio-resin to create a board with sustainable development, and a reasonably excessive strength-to-weight ratio. To attenuate mud waste, NSP incorporates SecureCell EPS blanks into its manufacturing course of. It additionally makes use of an eco-friendly, bio-based epoxy resin from Sicomin’s epoxy techniques and water-based dye pigments.

In 2019, to make its boards much more eco-friendly, NSP launched uni-directional flax fiber rails to its Cocomat boards. A extremely sturdy and naturally bolstered fiber, flax permits NSP to assemble boards utilizing much less fiberglass, which reduces their general carbon footprint (some fiberglass continues to be required). The result’s a visually distinctive board that’s mild to hold and simple to paddle, whereas remaining versatile and robust.

NSP Boards

NSP has a reasonably huge line of sustainable standup paddleboards and surfboards, so clients can simply discover a board that matches their degree of paddling. The CocoFlax line of boards consists of 4 standup paddleboards: the CocoFlax Efficiency Touring, CocoFlax Cruise, CocoFlax Allrounder, and CocoFlax DC Surf Vast. Included within the line of CocoFlax surfboards are the Countless, Hooligan, and Dream Rider. The Countless and Hooligan are longboard surfboards and the Dream Rider is a mid-length — all three can be found in several sizes and widths.

NSP CocoFlax: On-Water Efficiency

“Eco-friendly” development for any kind of substances is nice, but when it doesn’t carry out nicely on the water then it’s only a waste of supplies. I first obtained my palms on the CocoFlax Countless surfboard and the DC Surf Vast SUP again in 2018, and I’ve been placing each by thorough, long-term testing.

With the CocoFlax Countless, it was love at first sight: The board was straightforward to regulate to and carried out nicely in a variety of situations. Though I used to be a fan of the DC Surf Vast and it was enjoyable to journey, I discovered it was too huge for my petite construct, and I opted to provide it to a heavier paddler. 

From an look standpoint, I really like the appears to be like of NSP’s boards. The coconut fibers are clearly seen, giving the boards a singular look. Each the surfboard and the SUP are extremely light-weight, making loading and transporting them a breeze. I frightened the dearth of weight would make it tough to get into waves, however I found the other.

The Countless is a paddling machine and it was straightforward to select off each large and small waves. Not like different logs, I discovered I may shift my weight ahead to get into smaller waves with out the chance of nose-diving. Though the Countless is greatest for small- to medium-size waves, it’s straightforward to maneuver, turns nicely, and makes for a enjoyable journey in all situations.

Last Ideas  

I’m a very large fan of NSP’s line of CocoFlax boards. They’re light-weight (many below 20 kilos), sturdy, paddle nicely, and are enjoyable to journey. The flax rails and general different materials improvements are large wins for the setting, and I really like having a board that I can be ok with below my ft.

Sooner or later, I hope NSP will add extra board sizes, widths, and shapes to its CocoFlax assortment in order that paddlers can develop and even exchange boards of their present quiver. Presently, NSP has surfboards for inexperienced persons to superior surfers, in lengths from 5’4″ to 9’6″.