Meet Rolkaz. The start up from Slovenia making skateboards out of hemp.
Making boards out of hemp
Traditional skateboards are crafted out of wood. It can take anywhere between 40-60 years for a tree to grow and mature before they can be cut down and crafted into a board. The process is long and many board manufacturers are now trying to source alternative more eco-friendly materials to use. Bureo Skateboards, for instance, has found a way to make boards from used fishing nets which in turn reduces pollution in the ocean.
Growing hemp only takes 12-14 weeks and Rolkaz sees this undervalued material as one which could revolutionise the skating industry and make a positive impact on the planet.
We crafted our boards with the belief that skateboarding and the care for our planet should go hand in hand…Discovering great properties of hemp and flax fibres, we challenged ourselves to create a skateboard with that extra feel good quality. Nature is at the core of our philosophy—empowering all of us to drive positive change.
Hemp as a material
Hemp is a renewable, fast-growing and recyclable material. It also happens to be one of the strongest natural fibres in the world. Due to this, it’s been a popular choice in the natural clothing industry for decades as it requires no chemicals, fertilisers or pesticides to grow, cleans the air we breathe and enriches rather than depletes the soil.
Sustainable in both design and manufacturing, Rolkaz is using 100% natural hemp and flax fibres as well as a high-performance plant-based resin to craft its boards. While they look and feel like a regular skateboard, according to the company, the combination of raw materials makes the board completely different from anything you’ve ridden before.
With its designs and boards ready for market, the company has launched a crowdfunding campaign in order to ship the skateboards worldwide next year. Early investors can get their hands on two different sized boards, the Mala 24″ and the Drifter 28″.
It’s really positive to see how Rolkaz is taking a much loved object and reinventing it into something that benefits the environment. Whether you’re a serious sunset shredder, a daily street nomad, or one that simply loves to cruise the earth, there’s got to be a place in your life for a planet saving board made of hemp.
Comments