NSP’s CocoFlax Review: These Surfboards & Paddleboards Made From Coconut Are the Real Deal

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

I’m an environmentalist. I’m additionally a surfer. But 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.

In brief: NSP is among the few corporations which will have a sustainable and still-durable answer to the issue. We examined just a few totally different boards in its lineup, most not too long ago, the Endless surfboard mannequin made with the distinctive Cocomat supplies, constructing on the model’s earlier CocoFlax invention. Less fiberglass and much fewer chemical compounds, however a stronger board? We needed to surf check to learn the way these coconut and flax rides carried out.

Note: 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 Year. We’ve additionally been testing since 2018. Here’s our verdict.

The Environmental Impact of Traditional Surfboards

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

Additionally, 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 through the shaping course of makes it harmful for the shaper (i.e. staff) as nicely.

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

NSP CocoFlax Surfboards: Surf-Test the Alternative

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 reduce 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 gentle to hold and simple to paddle, whereas remaining versatile and powerful.

NSP Boards

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

NSP CocoFlax: On-Water Performance

“Eco-friendly” development for any sort of drugs 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 Endless surfboard and the DC Surf Wide SUP again in 2018, and I’ve been placing each by thorough, long-term testing.

With the CocoFlax Endless, it was love at first sight: The board was simple to regulate to and carried out nicely in a variety of situations. Although I used to be a fan of the DC Surf Wide 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 like the appears of NSP’s boards. The coconut fibers are clearly seen, giving the boards a novel look. Both 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 troublesome to get into waves, however I found the alternative.

The Endless is a paddling machine and it was simple to choose off each massive and small waves. Unlike different logs, I discovered I might shift my weight ahead to get into smaller waves with out the chance of nose-diving. Although the Endless is finest for small- to medium-size waves, it’s simple to maneuver, turns nicely, and makes for a enjoyable journey in all situations.

Final Thoughts  

I’m a very massive 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 massive wins for the setting, and I like having a board that I can be ok with below my ft.

In the long run, I hope NSP will add extra board sizes, widths, and shapes to its CocoFlax assortment in order that paddlers can increase and even change boards of their current quiver. Currently, NSP has surfboards for newcomers to superior surfers, in lengths from 5’4″ to 9’6″.