Shaper of the Unused

Reeco Surfbords was started by Marc Sanchez’ passion for making interesting surf craft. Initially as a way to save money, he started using discarded surfboards while learning the basics of shaping in 2009. He started to get a look into the wastefulness of surfboard construction so he set out to create something new. In 2012 Marc embraced the idea of making interesting surf craft into a more sustainable craft. Reeco has been exclusively repurposing what were essentially dumpster boards into beautiful new surfboards ever since.

From construction of upcycled foam blanks, to shaping and glassing, all the materials are sourced locally in San Diego. As a long time resident of Ocean Beach, Marc’s shapes are a reflection of the different types of waves that are on tap locally and perform best when being surfed in San Diego County.

Reeco partnered with a local surfboard repair shop, Coconut Peet’s, and Rerip—a nonprofit who collects unwanted surfboards that are either repaired by Coconut Peet’s and donated to those in need, or they are given to organizations like Reeco who upcycle the once-deemed useless surfboard into a functional piece of art.

As a result, Marc is able to tap into the abundance of discarded boards that are in San Diego. This closed-loop model enables Reeco to achieve their goals of keeping surfboards out of landfills, making use of materials that would otherwise go to waste, and promoting the process of upcycling not only in surfing, but in other industries as well.