"A fluid choreography that combines strength and delicacy, like a dance on the waves, gathers enthusiasts across the world's oceans. Yet, behind this image of freedom and connection with nature, the sport also carries contradictions. It is a symbol of outdoor life and respect for the ocean, but on the other hand, it is marked by territorial disputes over waves and by an environmental footprint that rarely receives the same attention given to its aesthetics."
"Polyurethane foams, polyester resins, and fiberglass, all derived from the military and aerospace race, enabled lighter, cheaper, stronger, and more maneuverable boards, transforming surfing into a practice accessible to millions of people. The problem is that this advance also brought with it a complex environmental legacy: their production releases toxic gases, depends on petroleum-based derivatives, and generates waste that is difficult to recycle."
Surfing combines athleticism and grace while also embodying contradictions between a reverence for the ocean and territorial conflicts over waves. The sport depends on healthy marine ecosystems that are increasingly threatened by pollution and climate change. Surfboard materials shifted from balsa wood to petroleum-derived synthetics after the 1940s, producing lighter, cheaper, and more maneuverable boards but creating toxic emissions, petroleum dependence, and hard-to-recycle waste. Expanded polystyrene and epoxy were later added to industry options. A new generation of shapers and material designers is exploring plant-based foams, recycled materials, and industrial waste reuse to reduce the sport's environmental impact.
Read at ArchDaily
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