Top Surfboard Brands for Epic Waves

Surfing enthusiasts understand that the right surfboard can make a significant difference in performance and overall wave-riding experience. With countless brands available, choosing the best can be overwhelming, especially for beginners looking to make their first purchase. This article aims to highlight some of the top surfboard brands renowned for their quality, innovation, and dedication to the sport. Whether you're a seasoned surfer or just getting started, dive into our list below to find the perfect fit for your surfing journey.

Illustration of surfboard

Best brands of surfboard in 2025

Channel Islands

Channel Islands Surfboards, founded by Al and Terry Merrick in 1969, is a renowned brand in the surfboard industry, known for its high-performance and quality designs. Over the last 50 years, the company has evolved from a local operation to a cutting-edge organization, catering to the world's best surfers, including Tom Curren and Dane Reynolds. Channel Islands continues to innovate, driven by the demands of top surfers, and is based in a state-of-the-art facility in Santa Barbara. The brand holds a significant market share, with North America, where Channel Islands is prominent, accounting for over 48% of the global surfboard market share as of 2022. Channel Islands' commitment to innovation and quality has made it a leader in the industry.

Firewire

Firewire is a leading producer of high-tech surfboards, known for its innovative construction processes and commitment to sustainability. Founded in 2006 by Neville Hyman, Firewire has revolutionized the industry with technologies like Helium, Ibolic, and Timbertek, which offer exceptional performance and durability. The company has expanded globally, integrating brands like Slater Designs and acquiring talent from renowned shapers such as Dan Mann and Rob Machado. Firewire's surfboards are praised for their lightweight and lively feel, particularly the Helium technology which features parabolic rails made from a blend of paulownia and balsa wood, providing a unique torsional flex. With a strong focus on reducing environmental footprint, Firewire continues to innovate and set industry standards. For more in-depth insights into their surfboard constructions, visit their Firewire Surfboard Constructions blog.

Lost Surfboards

Lost Surfboards, co-founded by Matt "Mayhem" Biolos in 1985, is a seminal brand in the surf industry, renowned for its innovative and high-performance surfboards. With over half of amateur surfers having ridden their boards at some point, Lost Surfboards has cemented its legacy, particularly through iconic models like the round nose fish (RNF) and the Driver 2.0. The brand's commitment to quality and pushing boundaries has earned it numerous accolades, including Matt Biolos being named Surfing Magazine's Shaper of the Year in 2010. Lost Surfboards is based in Irvine, California, and is favored by both amateur and professional surfers worldwide. Their influence extends beyond surfboards, with contributions to snowboarding and collaborations with industry experts.

Pyzel Surfboards

Pyzel Surfboards is a renowned brand in the surfboard industry, having evolved from a backyard shaping room on the North Shore since 1995 into one of the leading surfboard companies worldwide. Founded by Jon Pyzel, the brand gained prominence after creating surfboards for John John Florence, who became a 2X World Champion. Pyzel Surfboards has achieved a significant B Impact score of 81.8, reflecting its strong commitment to sustainability, community investment, and employee care. The company has seen double-digit growth in recent years and operates globally with trusted licensees on every continent. With a focus on quality and sustainability, Pyzel Surfboards continues to be a favorite among top surfers like John John Florence, Kelly Slater, and Mark Healey. For more information, visit their official website.

JS Industries

JS Industries is a prominent player in the surfboard market, known for its high-quality and innovative products. The company is part of a growing industry, with the global surfboard market projected to reach USD 6.7 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2024 to 2031. JS Industries, along with other key players like Channel Islands Surfboards and Firewire Surfboards, focuses on product innovation, contributing to the industry's expansion. For instance, their Bullseye model is highly praised for its performance in various surf conditions, making it a favorite among surfers. The company's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has helped it maintain a strong presence in the market.

Al Merrick

Al Merrick, through his brand Channel Islands Surfboards, is renowned for producing high-performance surfboards, having been a vanguard in the industry since its founding in 1969 by Al and Terry Merrick. Channel Islands Surfboards has evolved from a small factory to a global organization, catering to the needs of top surfers like Tom Curren and Dane Reynolds. The brand is known for its innovative designs, quality, and originality, making it a leader in the surfboard market. Channel Islands Surfboards is based in Southern California, a hub for surfing culture and board design, allowing for continuous product testing and feedback from professional surfers. This proximity has contributed to the brand's ability to produce boards tailored for different wave conditions and rider skill levels.

DHD Surfboards

DHD Surfboards, founded by renowned Australian shaper Darren Handley, is a leading brand in the surfboard industry, known for producing high-performance surfboards. With nearly 50 years of experience, Handley has shaped boards for top surfers like 3X ASP World Champion Mick Fanning and 8X ASP Women's World Champion Stephanie Gilmore. DHD Surfboards continues to set standards for quality and performance, contributing to the global surfing boards market, which is expected to grow to $4.09 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 7.3%. The brand remains innovative, introducing new technologies that combine the best aspects of fiberglass and epoxy materials. DHD's commitment to creating the ultimate surfboard experience is reflected in every board crafted.

HaydenShapes

Haydenshapes Surfboards, founded by Hayden Cox in 1996, is a renowned Australian-based performance surfboard brand celebrated for its innovative designs and advanced technology, such as the patented FutureFlex parabolic carbon fiber frame. The brand's Hypto Krypto model was awarded Surfboard of the Year in 2014 and 2015, and Haydenshapes has a global presence, manufacturing in Australia, the USA, and Thailand, with its products sold in over 72 countries. Haydenshapes has also received accolades at the Australian Good Design Awards and was named the best Surfboard of 2012 by Stab Magazine. The brand's commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognized by publications like Forbes, GQ, and Vogue. With a strong global distribution network, Haydenshapes continues to drive the surfing board market, which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. For more information on their cutting-edge surfboards, visit their official website.

Rusty Surfboards

Rusty Surfboards, founded in 1985 by Rusty Preisendorfer, is a renowned brand in the surfboard industry, celebrated for its high-quality, performance-driven surfboards. With a longstanding reputation for innovation, Rusty Surfboards has collaborated with professional surfers like Josh Kerr and C.J. Hobgood, who became a world champion in 2001. The company is headquartered in Perth, Australia, but operates globally, including in the US. Rusty Surfboards has introduced various surfboard models, such as the Keg, Blade, and Dwart, and has also incorporated shark deterrent patterns since 2017. The brand's annual revenue was $29 million in 2024, reflecting its significant presence in the market. For more details, visit their official website.

Catch Surf

Catch Surf is a leading brand in the surfboard industry, particularly renowned for its innovative and high-performance soft top surfboards. Since its inception in 2007, Catch Surf has revolutionized the perception of soft top surfboards, offering brightly colored, fun, and highly performant boards. The brand has gained significant traction, with its foam boards being favored by both beginners and advanced surfers, as evidenced by their use by professional surfers like Jamie O'Brien and Kalani Robb. Catch Surf's products, such as the Log and Plank, feature advanced constructions like fin boxes and wooden stringers, enhancing stability and performance. The global surfboard market, which includes Catch Surf, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.74% from 2023 to 2032, reflecting the increasing popularity of surfing and educational surfing programs. For more insights on finding the 10 best beginner surfboards, explore this comprehensive review.