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...