You've enjoyed years with this surfboard, but it's finally time
to say goodbye. Either it's badly beaten, broken down, or you just don't
have time to hit the waves anymore. What should you do with it now?
Definitely do not throw it away. There are a wide variety of
alternatives that are better for you and the environment.
Fix it
If you have a beat-up surfboard that you're worried will just
leave you swimming, take another look at it before tossing it out. If
the damage is superficial, or only on a portion of the board, it may be
possible to strip the surface, reshape the board, and give it some coats
of polyethylene to bring it back to life. Nothing's better for
expressing your love of the sport than your own custom board. Get some
inspiration from Cliff Kapono's video The Bonus Round, which documents
board shaper Robert Patterson bringing a beat up 1980s relic back to the
waves.
Hang it On the Wall
Surfboards can be a great addition to your decor. If it has a
great vintage look, consider hanging it as wall art. Install hooks onto
the side of the board and hang it up for a unique coat rack. If you're
short on storage, hang it on brackets and use it as a shelf. You can
also paint it with chalkboard paint for a unique new message board.
Make a Work of Art
In towns where surfing is a part of daily life, local artists
have been known to recycle old boards and repurpose them into pieces of
custom art. Replacing a canvas with a surfboard not only allows you to
make something truly unique, but it also saves that surfboard from
heading to the landfill. Don't have any skills with a paintbrush? There
are a number of artists who will gladly take is as a donation.
Start Building Some Furniture
From headboards to coffee tables, surfboards can easily become a
great addition to furnish your home. Surfboards can make great bar tops
with a little labor and some extra sealant to help keep it protected
and easy to clean. There are numerous examples online of people building
lawn chairs, dining room sets, and even light fixtures from their old
boards. The possibilities are endless.
Recycle It
If you're not crafty, or none of these options appeal to you,
don't just throw that board in the trash. There are a number of
companies that will take that old surfboard off of your hands in order
to recycle it. Some of them will even pay you for it. Boards can be used
to make building materials, furniture, art, and sometimes brand new
surfboards. A simple search through your search engine of choice will
put you in contact with some surfboard recyclers.
Surfboards are great tools that help you soar across the water,
but they don't last forever. As hundreds of surfboards hit landfills
each year, you can do your part to help keep our world a little cleaner.
When it's time to let go of your surfboard, make sure to look into the
recycling or repurposing options that are available to you. It can live a
new life as a household item, a work of art, or get back on the waves.
