Why? Why not.

Cuna Surfboards on building ECOBOARDS with a simple mantra.

By Kailani Wetherell for Sustainable Surf, 16 May 2024.

WHO IS CUNA SURFBOARDS?

Nestled in the vibrant city of Tübingen, amidst its cobblestone streets and historic charm, lies the innovative hub of Cuna Surfboards. Here, in the heart of Germany, a team of passionate surfers and environmental enthusiasts are redefining the surfing industry. Led by Valentin Scholz, Pady Baur, and Arne Schray, Cuna Surfboards is on a mission to transform the sport of surfing into a sustainable and eco-conscious endeavor.

Through relentless testing, experimentation, and ingenuity, Cuna Surfboards has developed a revolutionary building method that eliminates fiberglass, removing nearly all toxic substances from their boards. This groundbreaking approach, coupled with their commitment to attractive shapes and modern design aesthetics, has positioned Cuna Surfboards as a leader in eco-friendly surfboard production.

THE VISION:

Fueled by a profound passion for surfing, nature, sustainability, craftsmanship, and teamwork, every member of the Cuna team shares these core values. With a deep appreciation for nature and a commitment to environmental protection, each team member is an avid surfer who brings their unique perspective to the table. Their collective vision not only birthed Cuna but continues to propel the team forward, inspiring them to make a positive impact every day. More than just a business, Cuna Surfboards is a passion project driven by a shared love for the ocean and a desire to protect it for future generations.Dedicated to contributing to the surf community and the environment by instigating change through their innovative efforts, their unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship informs every decision, ensuring their impact resonates far beyond the waves.

ALL ABOUT ECOBOARDS:

When asked why they opted for eco-friendly boards, the team at Cuna Surfboards shared their deep-rooted concern as passionate surfers. They expressed how it troubled them that a sport so intimately connected to nature relied on equipment made from toxic materials. Right from the outset, it was clear to everyone on the Cuna team that surfboards had to be crafted from sustainable materials if they were going to make a difference.

This decision held immense significance, particularly in light of prevalent misconceptions about eco-friendly surfboards. Many assume they’re heavier or less responsive, but Cuna Surfboards is determined to challenge these notions. They believe that modern innovative approaches have revolutionized eco-friendly boards, turning the question from “why?” to “why not choose eco-friendly boards?”

To bring their vision to life, Cuna primarily utilizes German Paulownia wood in crafting their boards. Their commitment to sustainability is evident in every aspect of their production process, as they ensure all materials have a minimal environmental impact. Cuna’s mantra is simple: regional and sustainable.

In a surfboard market divided between mass-produced foam boards and handcrafted wooden ones, Cuna aims to merge the best of both worlds. Leveraging advanced CNC machines for precision manufacturing, they produce high-quality boards in large quantities without compromising on quality. Following machine processing, Cuna adds a touch of artisanal craftsmanship, carefully refining each board’s unique characteristics. Their commitment to continuous improvement sees them blending traditional methods with innovative approaches, ensuring their boards remain at the forefront of sustainability and performance.

As part of our ECOBOARD Program, we’re honored and proud to have this passionate team on board. When asked what it’s like to be a part of this program, the Cuna team explained:

While our journey with the Ecoboard Project has only just begun, its impact has been profound. The warm welcome and thorough responses from the Ecoboard Project team have been remarkable, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for their support.As we look ahead, we’re eager to connect with like-minded individuals within the project, fostering an exchange of ideas and inspiration. With the goal of achieving Gold Level certification, we aim to showcase our unwavering commitment to sustainability to our customers, highlighting our dedication to eco-friendly solutions. That’s why we are confident that, especially in combination with the Ecoboard Project, we can achieve great things. We’re excited about the future possibilities and collaborations within the project and eagerly anticipate seeing the immense potential unfold.

THE FUTURE FORWARD:

While we believe it’s crucial to unite the voices of sustainable surfboard builders to reach a global audience and make a more significant impact, having Cuna Surfboards and all our other incredible board builders, riders, shapers, and supporters by our side allows us to actively achieve our mission as one.

Cuna Surfboards is setting its sights on creating the first cradle-to-cradle surfboard, aiming for a zero-waste product.  This means that every material used in the board can be returned to its material cycle after its life as a surfboard, achieving a zero-waste product. Reaching this milestone would represent the perfect surfboard with the ideal construction. In addition to this goal, they’re continuously refining their shapes and expanding their quiver to provide customers with the best possible surfboards.

Keen to introduce their surfboards to the competitive surfing scene, Cuna sees significant potential for their boards in big wave surfing, long boarding, and hopefully the World Surf League..

Through this conversation, Cuna is amplifying its vision and urging everyone to ride the sustainable wave for their next board.

Want to know more about Cuna Surfboards? Check them out at @cuna_surfboards.