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.