If you’re anything like us, your garage or garden shed probably has a "board graveyard." You know the one, a corner filled with sun-bleached foamies, bodyboards with snapped leashes, and maybe a dinged-up fibreglass shortboard that hasn't seen the lineup at Trebarwith Strand in years.
It’s hard to let go of old gear. Every board has a story, whether it’s the one you caught your first green wave on or the trusty "boog" that survived a heavy winter swell. But eventually, the foam loses its pop, the dings become too many to DIY, and they just end up taking up space.
At Salty Fins Kernow, we wanted to find a better way to handle these old legends. That’s why we’ve officially launched our Board Recycling Project. Based right here in Tintagel, we’re inviting the North Cornwall community to trade in their retired boards in exchange for 10% off a brand-new, full-price bodyboard.
It’s our way of keeping our coastlines clean, helping you upgrade your kit, and ensuring that no board ends up in a landfill if we can help it.
Why This Matters: The Impact of Foam on Our Coastline
Living and surfing in North Cornwall, we’re lucky enough to have some of the most rugged and beautiful coastlines in the world. From the powerful peaks at Polzeath to the hidden gems around the Tintagel cliffs, the ocean is our backyard. But the gear we use to enjoy it has a hidden cost.
Most modern surfboards and bodyboards are built using petroleum-based foams like Polyurethane (PU) or Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). Research shows that producing a single 6-foot surfboard can emit between 170kg and 250kg of CO2. When these boards reach the end of their life, they don't just disappear. They aren't biodegradable; they break down into microplastics that can hang around for hundreds of years, leaching chemicals into the soil and sea.
We believe in a "Simple and Honest" approach to business. We love the ocean, so we have to look after it. By collecting old boards, we can ensure they are either refurbished for a second life or stripped down and recycled responsibly. Our goal is a circular economy where the foam stays in the water or in the workshop, not in the ground.
You can read more about our commitment to the coast in Our Mission.
How the Board Recycling Project Works
We’ve kept the process as straightforward as a clean groundswell. Whether you’re a local in Tintagel or visiting from further afield, here is how you can get involved and snag that 10% discount.
For Our Online Customers
If you aren’t able to pop into the shop but want to trade in, we’ve got you covered, especially if you’re within our local delivery zone.
- Get in Touch First: Before you place an order, drop us an email at hello@saltyfinskernow.com or give the shop a bell.
- Tell Us About Your Board: Let us know the size, material (foam, polystyrene, or fibreglass), and its general condition. A quick photo helps!
- Arrange Collection: If you’re within 20 miles of Tintagel, we can often arrange to collect the old board when we deliver your new gear.
- Get Your Code: Once we’ve confirmed the trade-in, we’ll send you a unique, single-use discount code to use at checkout.
- Shop & Save: Apply the code to any full-price bodyboard in our Empire Bodyboards or Turbo Bodyboards collections.
For Our In-Store Customers
If you’re local or passing through North Cornwall for a surf check, just bring the board to us!
- Bring it In: Drop your old board off at the shop in Tintagel.
- Instant Discount: We’ll verify the board and apply the 10% discount to your new purchase right there on the spot.
- Browse the Range: You can get hands-on with the latest models, check the flex, and pick the perfect board for your next session.
What Happens to Your Old Board?
We aren’t just stacking these up in a back room. Every board traded in goes through a "triage" process:
- The Survivors (Refurbish & Reuse): If a board is still rideable but just needs a bit of TLC, a few dings filled or a new leash, we’ll fix it up. These boards then head to our New and Used Surfboards section as affordable, second-hand bargains. This is perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a "beater" board for shore-break fun.
- The Retired (Responsible Recycling): If a board is truly "toast", snapped, waterlogged, or crumbling, we strip it down. We separate the skins from the cores and work with recycling partners to ensure the materials are repurposed into things like garden pavers or insulation, keeping them out of the landfill.
Time for an Upgrade? What’s in the Shop
If you're trading in that old polystyrene slab from the 90s, you're going to notice a huge difference in modern bodyboard tech. We’ve hand-selected our range to suit the unpredictable and powerful conditions we get on the North Cornwall coast.
Empire Botha PP
For the riders who want ultimate speed and durability, the Empire Botha PP is a beast. Featuring a high-performance Polypro (PP) core and a Viking compass graphic, it’s built for the charger.
Turbo IV
If you’re looking for a classic that has stood the test of time, the Turbo IV is a fantastic choice. With its slick bottom and durable deck, it’s designed for fast lines and heavy North Cornwall shore-dumpers.
You can check out the full range of accessories, including leashes and fins, in our Boogs and Accessories collection.
The Nitty Gritty (Friendly Terms & Conditions)
We like to keep things transparent. Here’s the essential info on the project:
- Accepted Boards: We’ll take foam, polystyrene, or fibreglass surfboards and bodyboards. No wooden boards or dinghy hulls, please!
- The Discount: It’s 10% off any full-price bodyboard. It cannot be combined with other promotions, sale items, or our price-match guarantee.
- One for One: One old board equals one discount code for one new bodyboard.
- Location Matters: Free collection/delivery is available within 20 miles of Tintagel. If you're further out, get in touch, and we’ll see if we can make it work.
- Point of No Return: Once you trade it in, the board becomes our property. We can't return it if you change your mind later, as it might already be in the recycling bin or on the repair bench!
- Statutory Rights: This doesn’t affect your normal consumer rights. We’re just trying to do a bit of good for the planet while getting you a better deal.
Join the Movement
We’re a small, independent shop, and we truly value the support of the local surfing and fishing community. This project isn't just about selling more boards: it's about making sure that the gear we love doesn't end up harming the places we play.
So, go have a poke around in the back of the garage. Find that old foamie that hasn't seen the light of day since 2012. Give us a shout, and let's get you back in the water on something that performs properly.
If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to Contact Us or swing by the shop in Tintagel. We’re always up for a chat about the swell, the best lures for bass, or how to get the most out of your new board.
See you in the lineup!
: The Salty Fins Kernow Team 🤙