Renewables giant ACCIONA, in partnership with professional surfer Josh Kerr and his surfboard brand Draft Surf, have created the world’s first surfboards made from a retired wind turbine blade.
Crafted from a decommissioned blade from ACCIONA’s Waubra wind farm in Victoria, an initial range of 10 prototype boards was produced as part of ACCIONA’s Turbine Made initiative.
Launched in February, Turbine Made is Australia’s first initiative dedicated to exploring innovative ways to transform decommissioned wind turbine blades into new materials and products. It represents the next step in ACCIONA’s efforts to advance circular economy in the renewable energy sector in Australia.
Related article: ACCIONA launches initiative for recycling wind turbine blades
The surfboards, hand crafted on the Gold Coast, feature repurposed turbine blade strips built into the deck for strength and flex control. The fins of the board, made from recycled fiberglass, provide stability, drive and speed and the outer shell is further strengthened by incorporating recycled turbine blade particulate into the fibreglassing process.
Kerr said, “When ACCIONA approached us about being part of the solution and working together to create these surfboards, we jumped at the opportunity. At its core, our brand is about enabling the best surfing experience with quality products, in a sustainable way— which aligns with ACCIONA’s vision for Turbine Made.”
ACCIONA Energia’s global sustainability director Mariola Domenech said, “We know that in the next five to 10 years countries like Australia will have a large volume of decommissioned wind turbine blades, so we’re acting now to explore new ways to recycle and reuse the material they are built from.
“The creation of a surfboard prototype, developed locally, is an example of how we’re reimagining the materials from decommissioned turbine blades and pushing the envelope of innovation when it comes to the circular economy.”
The Turbine Made initiative builds on ACCIONA’s previous work to repurpose decommissioned wind turbine blades. This includes a collaboration with European fashion brand El Ganso, to create sneakers featuring recycled blade material in their soles and integrating recycled blade materials into the torsion beams of solar trackers at a solar plant in Extremadura, Spain.
Related article: Boral trials concrete made using end-of-life solar panels
ACCIONA is also advancing in end-of-life turbine recycling through the development of a blade recycling plant in Navarra, Spain, which is set to become operational in 2026, creating 100 jobs and a processing capacity of 6,000 tonnes of material per year.
“Sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about product stewardship, ensuring that what we build today doesn’t become tomorrow’s environmental challenge,” Domenech said.
“By working with Australian manufacturers, designers, and innovators, we can encourage the creation of practical, high-performance applications that benefit both industry and the environment.”
