The Greenhouse Surfboards Vision
PBS Affiliate WUWM’s segment on the growing surf culture of Lake Michigan and our special connection to the waters we love.
Surfing is an intimate dance with nature that compels a reciprocity and deference often lost when looking at the boards we ride. The beauty of the wave, sunrise and the glide lie in stark contrast to surfboards that are solely reliant on petroleum based materials. My vision is to inspire greater synchronicity between our love of surf, the waters and the boards we ride.
Shaping at the Greenhouse
Using local Milwaukee materials such as coffee bags from area roasters, to scouring yards and shops for wood scraps, to repurposing bio-resins and stringer shavings, each Greenhouse Surfboards is made from scratch and disposes of very little. This includes designing each blank, template, outline and shape from Wisconsin based foam manufacturer. As a result, each board is sculpted with care, patience, and a clear performance vision in mind. Greenhouse surfboards harken back to the golden era of shaping. Glassed in fins, leash loops, custom tail and nose blocks and unique designs are a hybrid of surfing’s legacy and provide a clear glimpse into a more sustainable future.
With the first Greenhouse series of boards, my goal was to design surfcraft that honor the beauty of our waters and the need to protect them. This progressive approach challenges long held notions of what a surfboard is, and also what it can be made of. The use of coffee bags, discarded woods and alternative fibers results in a board that is more organic and takes a significant step toward minimal waste and a maximum appreciation of the craft of shaping and the love of surfing.
Discovering the Love of Surf
My love of surfing began in the mid-90’s during my pre-doctoral internship in Hawaii. There I learned first hand of the lived experiences of many locals and understood in ways once elusive, the delicate interplay of our place in a fragile environment. Whether on hikes, a morning session, or simply watching the sunset behind the island’s mountains, I was subtly, but forever humbled, and informed about our need to protect the gifts put before us. This, coupled with a head first exploration of the culture of Hawaii and its rich surf history planted the seeds for Greenhouse Surfboards and our foundational goal of both protecting and celebrating the very waters we love and play in each and every day.
“A surfer’s relationship with nature is deeper than what many can imagine. However, it remains largely one-sided. Surfers must lead the way in designing alternative means of enjoying our sport. At Greenhouse we’re showing that eco-friendly, can be eco-beautiful, sustainable and fun in the process.” ”
