Swell idea: Milwaukee’s Greenhouse Surfboards eyes palm leaf foam

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In Milwaukee, psychologist/surfer Ken Cole is developing a surfboard made from palm leaves that he hopes to test on Lake Michigan’s waves by this summer.

Cole’s company, Greenhouse Surfboards, already produces boards from jute, basalt, hemp, bioresin and repurposed word, but has so far been unable to find an appropriate replacement for the fossil-based polyurethane foam that makes up the majority of surfboard materials.

“I recognized the limitations in sustainability when you have a surfboard with a foam core,” Cole tells Gear Junkie. “And we’re at a place where the status quo won’t work when it comes to the environment. We just can’t continue to rely on petroleum-based products.”

He stumbled upon the idea of using palm leaves via a friendship with the founder of Patra, a company making service ware from palm leaves. He is now working with Milwaukee School of Engineering on using palm leaves to produce composite materials that could replace PU foam.