Wave of despair hits surf world

bbc ^ | 12/9/05 | bbc

[minus_273]

he sport of surfing is in turmoil after the world's largest producer of the foam blocks used to make surfboards closed down, citing over-regulation. Polyurethane foam "blanks" produced by California-based Gordon Clark are used to make many of the world's surfboards.

Mr Clark, who helped invent the modern all-foam surfboard, says environmental regulations forced him out of business.

Fears of a global foam shortage have led to a sharp rise in board prices as surfers snap up already depleted stock.

Mr Clark, known as "Grubby" among surfers, revolutionised the sport in 1958 when he and fellow pioneer Hobie Alter coated a shaped foam block in resin to create an all-foam surfboard.

Previously, surfers could only use wooden boards which often snapped under the force of giant waves.

Jail threat

Now 73, Mr Clark announced his decision to bow out of the industry amid rising concern among local and state authorities about the chemicals used to manufacture the foam blanks.

[minus_273]

He outlined his problems in a seven-page letter to his customers, who include hundreds of small surf shops and family businesses throughout the US.

i'm not a surfer, but this sounds rather sad.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Maybe this will wake up some of the CA electorate, but I don't think so.

[samtheman]

Why doesn't he just move his business to Texas.

[Jack Black]

Great. Green Fascists put a 40 year old business down for the count.

[Sax]

Over-regulation in California?

Say it ain't so.

[minus_273]

actually, i is more like a traditional centuries old american sport is being killed.
"Custom-made foam boards make up almost 75% of boards sold around the world. Clark Foam supplied foam for 90% of those boards, according to reports."

[PeteB570]

Good deal.

Time to put those money grubbing corporations out of business. Just who do they think they are? Polluters, thats what they are.

CA runs a tight ship and it shape up or ship out.

OK, I didn't mean any of that. The sad thing is, the foam board blanks will be made somewhere and I'll bet its overseas in a place with less regulations.

[wideawake]

The corpses of hundreds of people who have died from acute surfboard poisoning are washing up on our shores every day!

But you don't care because in your greed all you care about is corporate profits!

[ncountylee]

It will move 80 miles south to TJ.

[Battle Hymn of the Republic]

No, it won't change anything at all. Most think since he has a virtual lock on the foam industry it's OK....

[poobear]

Glad we have several short boards and a few long boards. Bummer. Guess they'll start producing them with some cheap sh't substitute that will break worse than wood and impale some poor recreational surfer.

Nothing sacred.

[Zavien Doombringer]

I am a surfer, I can tell you that the local surf Shops...

Wave Riding Vehicles

Hotline Surfboards

17th Street (Pride Boards) and other local shapers will feel this crunch.

There are other alternate foam producers that make board blanks.

It's just that Clark Foam was the material of choice because of durability and cost.

What a sad state of affairs...

[Gorzaloon]

Isocyanates used in Uerthanes can be nasty stuff. A certain perentage, about a third, of people who start to work in urethane plants, end up sensitized to these compounds.

After Bhopal, isocyanates attracted a lot of attention. A glance at the MSDS's for common isocyanates like toluidine diisocyanate (TDI) and IPDI will show why he has problems.

Actually, urethanes have some water vapor permeability, and may not even have been first choice. I would have thought urea-formaldehyde would have been a better choice, but that one has gotten so much bad press from allergenic home insulation, I suppose it was a non-starter.

[Zavien Doombringer]

ever met a landlocked Californian?

[citizen]

Not to worry, I'm sure Communist China and their U.S. lackey, WAL*MART will fill the void.

[Rooivalk]

Its back to balsa boards for me

[bp22]

What a shame. Every board I have ever owned has been made from a Clark blank.

[Minus_The_Bear]

People get the Govmt. they deserve.

[FormerACLUmember]

"For owning and operating Clark Foam, I may be looking at very large fines, civil lawsuits, and even time in prison," Mr Clark wrote. State authorities in California and in Orange County, where Clark Foam is based, are concerned by the company's machinery and its use of toxic chemicals. Mr Clark said he was forced to spend $400,000 (£229,000) on legal fees to defend a claim by a former employee, and a similar amount to meet emissions laws.

Another triumph for the US Lawyer Industry, so soon after litigation costs were cited by GM as a major factor in cutting 30,000 US jobs. China will be making the surfboard foam soon.

[Zavien Doombringer]

My Natural Art, Channel Island and WRV's all Clark....