Explain a little about your background and the eco surfboard - what exactly does "eco" entail? Chris Hines: I ran Surfers Against Sewage for 10 years from 1990-2000. The idea for the board came when we had to fell a balsa tree in the Humid Tropics Biome at Eden. There was a suggestion form Pat Hudson to make a balsa board, so I then said lets try and take it as far as we can. Working with local people in the surfing industry who are pushing the materials base, we made a board from a balsa core and laminated it in hemp cloth and plant based resin Surfers are usually quite green people, and would support this, but something they'd want to know is how does the board fare in terms of performance?  | | Reubyn Ash riding a normal surfboard... |
Chris Hines: Currently the weight is prohibitive for a lot of surfers especially competition surfers. However we recognise this and are looking to build a blank from plant based materials within the next year. What made you want to invent it? Chris Hines: Surfing is close to the environment, and obviously through my work at SAS and now at Eden I'm completely locked into sustainable thinking and know the power of surfing imagery. If we can turn the surfboard around then this should act as a powerful catalyst to turn other unsustainable products around, especially for those companies who use surfing to sell their wares. A green ball bearing manufacturer won't get the publicity a green surfboard will. Has it been well received? Chris Hines: It's going down pretty well. People love the concept and most realise the need for this change. We are planting the seed for a positive future. Are there going to be any eco follow-ups, maybe a wetsuit? Chris Hines: The surfboard is the ultimate product in surfing so lets start at the top and hope the industry follows. Are you a surfer yourself? Chris Hines: I have been since age 11. I'm now 43. Do you think that young people in Cornwall are environmentally aware enough? Chris Hines: They're pretty environmentally aware, although sometimes there are NIMBY arguments. NIMBY? What's that? Chris Hines: Not In My Back Yard - as opposed to BANANA - Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone. On this argument we all have to accept that if we want energy and electricity then we need power generation and maybe that is windfarms (either that or a nuclear plant) - Cornwall has largely avoided any of this as we import most of our power and now the anti-wind farm crew are saying no more, but still want to use the energy. Also you need waste centres - arguably on some scale within each village, and you need sewage treatment works. I put my actions where my mouth is and live within 100metres of a sewage treatment works, which I am happy about because the sea is cleaner, the local tourist industry is doing well and local people including myself can use the sea without fear of infection. What could be done to solve this lack of environmental awareness? Chris Hines: The issue should be approached in a fun and engaging manner, with not too much doom and gloom. We can solve all of these problems. | 
