Paulownia and surfboards
What is Paulownia?
Paulownia is a genus of flowering trees in the family Paulowniaceae. They are native to China and grow very fast, and they have since been introduced to many other parts of the world, including Australia. Paulownia tomentosa is often planted as an ornamental because of its colourful flowers, but its seeds travel easily on the wind, which makes it an invasive species in some places.
Hybrid Paulownia
Much of the Paulownia grown for timber is a hybrid of Paulownia tomentosa and Paulownia fortunei. The hybrid doesn't spread by seed, so it isn't invasive. It has been bred for rapid growth, strong, good-quality timber, and low water and fertiliser needs.
It grows quickly and takes up a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2) while it does. That carbon stays locked in the timber, which becomes the core of the board.
Strength and weight
Paulownia sits in the sweet spot of timber strength and weight for surfboards. At around 250 to 300 kg/m³ it is hard enough to resist pressure dings and dents, yet light enough to build hollow boards with weight and performance comparable to traditional foam and fibreglass construction, with better durability.
Balsa, at roughly 100 to 150 kg/m³, is too soft for hollow boards unless they have a thick fibreglass and resin coat, and it soaks up water, so it needs internal sealing to last. In solid, non-chambered boards it is too heavy for good performance.
Paulownia is also stronger, harder, and more ding resistant than a raw EPS or PU blank. That means our boards need less fibreglass and resin in the lamination.
1 comment
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