A 3D printed surfboard made of seaweed

Breton company Paradoxal Surfboards creates 3D printed boards made with upcycled algae and biosourced fibres as an alternative to commonly used polyurethane foam.

Polystyrene or polyurethane are the two materials used in almost all surfboards in the world, materials that are toxic for the environment and energy-intensive to use.

Rather than relying on these fossil-based materials, Paradoxal Surfboards are made of biosourced materials. They design and manufacture surfboards using stranded seaweed as a substitute for petroleum-based materials commonly used in traditional surfboard manufacturing around the world. The boards’ design is based on biomimicry and recalls a microscopic view of an algae, the diatom.

3D printing technology offers the possibility of specifically reinforcing areas that experience significant bending and torsion stress on a surfboard. Unlike a one-piece design like that of a polystyrene core, 3D printing makes it possible to create an internal structure in the form of a circular lattice made up of empty cavities. This configuration gives the board greater resistance by preserving it from dents associated with regular use.

The company recently uncovered their first model, which is based on sargassum seaweed. The surfboards are made in its entirety in Brittany.

Photos: Paradoxal Surfboards