Birkenwerk

What it does

Birkenwerk offer alternative materials for surfboards, 100% natural and regenerative, to respond to the non-regenerative and toxic materials surfboards are mostly made of.

Your inspiration

I am a surfer, and while this sport helps people appreciate nature more, it ironically contributes to several environmental issues, especially when it comes to the materials used in surfboards. Many surfboards are made with toxic materials like EPS & EVA foam, even the boards made from natural materials like wood or agave are often coated with epoxy to make them waterproof. However, this coating makes the natural materials unsustainable, produces microplastics when in use, and most surfboards last a maximum of 2 years. When I discovered birch bark and its properties, I saw its potential to create a 100% natural, eco-friendly surfboard.

How it works

Birch bark can be harvested without cutting down the tree, allowing it to continue growing and maintain the ecosystem. The bark contains suberin and betulin, waxy substances that make it naturally water-resistant, impermeable to water, and rot-resistant. The buoyant properties come from its lightweight structure and air pockets created by the suberin compound, preventing the bark from absorbing water and becoming waterlogged. These properties make birch bark ideal for surfboard material, as it meets the requirements for buoyancy and water resistance, eliminating the need for coatings and using foam. To create a surfboard, two sheets of birch bark must be joined, and the joints sealed using natural materials like pine resin and beeswax.

Design process

The project began by exploring sustainable making methods, aiming to find materials and processes that address environmental issues related to waste and resource extraction. After research, I chose to focus on birch bark for its regenerative qualities. I experimented with birch bark to understand its properties, drawing on both indigenous and modern techniques. Knowing it was naturally water-resistant, I continued to test ways to soften it. One experiment led to the discovery that birch bark floats even after days of soaking, sparking the idea of using it for a surfboard. I researched wooden surfboard construction, where a plywood frame is covered with veneer and epoxy. I realised birch bark could replace the veneer, eliminating the need for epoxy. To test this, I created a mini prototype with birch bark on a wooden frame and tested buoyancy in a bathtub. The results were promising, so I refined the design and sealed the joints with natural materials like pine resin and beeswax. I built a larger prototype but switched to a bodyboard for ocean testing due to material limitations. The test went well, with the board floating despite water leakage. The next iteration is to improve joint sealing to be watertight to reduce water entry and drag while surfing.

How it is different

The main difference between my design and conventional surfboards and bodyboards is the material. I aim to create a surfboard made entirely of natural materials that can return to the soil and enrich it at the end of its life. This material choice also helps reduce microplastic pollution. Most surfboards are made with EPS foam, EVA foam, and coated with epoxy, which can produce microplastics that contaminate the water. With Birkenwerk, we don’t have to worry about that.

Future plans

The next step in my design process is to prepare the board for manufacturing. There’s still much to improve, particularly in the current board design. I already planned to improve the joints to make them more watertight in the next iteration. From a business perspective, I see this material as an alternative, not a replacement, encouraging the creation of 100% regenerative products. This approach promotes surfboards that can be made from materials harvested without cutting down trees, preserving ecosystems, and supporting diverse, non-monoculture forest growth.

Awards