With a goal of producing a board made of 100% material form the Agave Americanas plant, the twist of recycling also entered the equation. Starting with the pieces of Agave stalk that remained from a 16'paddleboard project, commissioned by Paul Naude, a blank for this board was assembled and glued.

Although I believe to be able to develop a suitable resin from the Agave sap in the future, I was not able to accomplish this within the allotted time frame and chose instead a linseed oil resin that is not only water soluble for cleanup, put also UV cures. Early attempts to find a cloth made from Agave produced only a very coarse weave but at the last minute on a trip to Puerto Escondido I was awarded with not only some great waves but also a finer woven Agave fabric called Yute. The hemp cloth sample arrived here the same day we were to begin glassing and after testing proved superior for our purpose, so we chose it over the Yute.

With the above materials in hand I was able to produce a recycled 100% sustainable surfboard made primarily from one type of plant. Of course I don't see this as the ultimate solution to the petrochemically dependant surfboard industry but rather an incentive to open collective minds to the alternative possibilities surrounding us. Together we have the power to create change.

Gary Linden

This board will be on display for auction at the"Billabong Art of Shaping Event" September 10th-11th, 2009 at the ASR Action Sports Retailer Trade Show in San Diego CA.

nGary testing Agave towboard at Todos Santos 2002

see more agave boards by Gary Linden

Lunar
RS
S
TT
Blvd
pretty much
stinkfish
kilo
grom

agave
balsa
tow boards
Oaxaca
Big Wave guns

rio
compressor
catalina
Ranger

Longboards
classic
retro
single fin
nuB fish
80s

Recycler

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