Which Are the Best Surfboard Brands?

In life, improvising along the way is a key aspect that can provide you that joy and motivation that we often lack when we find ourselves in a loop that spins around work and responsibilities.

In some cases, such as traveling, it can also be rewarding to point with a finger on the map and embark on the adventure of going to where the destiny has decided. Even in a surftrip.

On the other hand, this is not compatible with a successful choice of the equipment necessary to ride the waves, and even less, with the decision of choosing your surfboard.

A surfboard has an useful life that obviously depends on the use of it. Is not the same to use a carbon board 3 or 4 times a week; than a traditional foam board with a couple of uses per month.

Despite this, it is logical that when buying we always expect a surfboard to surf with us during many waves.

It is more than a simple piece of plastic (or wood), it is our inseparable fellow with which we will learn to develop and improve our technique and of course to live unforgettable moments. It could even be said that it becomes an extension of the human body.

Some of Our Favourites

So, just as we provide you with a series of tips to buy your second-hand surfboard, we believe it is important that you know the top surf brands that currently stand out among the rest of the market for us, because of their value for money and history, so you can have them in consideration for your next purchase.

For a complete list of 200+ board shapers just scroll down and make use of our epic A-Z surfboard brands table!

Pyzel Surfboards

Hawaii's North Shore is home to Pyzel Surfboards, founded by Jon Pyzel in 1995. Originally from Santa Barbara, Pyzel moved to Oahu in his mid-twenties and started his career fixing dings at Country Surfboards before working his way up to become one of the most respected shapers in the world. His claim to fame? Being the man behind two-time World Champion John John Florence's boards for over 22 years. The Ghost model, developed with Florence, has become one of the most popular high-performance boards globally, known for working in everything from everyday waves to heavy Hawaiian surf. Pyzel's factory on the North Shore continues to produce boards ridden by the world's elite.

Channel Islands Surfboards

The most iconic surfboard brand in history. Founded in 1969 by Al and Terry Merrick with just $200 borrowed from Al's parents, Channel Islands has shaped boards for more World Champions than any other brand. From their Santa Barbara garage to becoming a global powerhouse, CI has been the choice of legends including Tom Curren, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Dane Reynolds, and countless others. Now led by second-generation shaper Britt Merrick, the brand continues to innovate while honoring its heritage. With over 20 World Titles to their name and 50+ years of shaping excellence, Channel Islands remains the gold standard in performance surfboards.

Album Surfboards

Founded in San Clemente, California in 2001 by shaper Matt Parker, Album Surfboards sits at the intersection of beautiful craftsmanship and high-performance innovation. Parker, who shaped his first board while pursuing an art degree at Chapman University, has built a reputation for creating boards that are as visually stunning as they are functional. Album's team includes world-class surfers like Asher Pacey, Jack Freestone, and Victor Bernardo, who help develop and test their diverse range of shapes. From retro-inspired fish to modern performance shortboards, each Album board reflects Parker's artistic background and meticulous attention to detail.

Firewire

Firewire surfboards combine 100% Eco Friendly materials with the traditional EPS and Epoxy. They count on team with "shapers" of great level like Daniel "Tomo" Thomson, Dan Mann, Rob Machado or Kelly Slater.

The Australian brand stands out for its lightweight, flexible and hard boards based on innovative designs.

Thanks to its Evo model, Firewire currently ranks number one in sales of surfboards worldwide. The respect for the environment, its eco-friendly materials and the high quality of its boards are the flagship of this brand.

Lost

One of the most prestigious brands worldwide. Founded in California in 1987 by Matt "Mayhem" Biolos, it has some of its tables in the Top 10 sales worldwide. Within his team we can find surfers like Tag Barrow, Kolohe Andino, Mason Ho, Carissa Moore or Tyler Wright.

In addition, this brand is also known for collaborating with Elon Musk in the launch of the exclusive Tesla Surfboard, made with the carbon fiber "Black Dart" and which is quite an object for collectors.

DHD Surfboards

This Australian brand, owned by the shaper Darren Handley, currently stays in the top for the launching of a new technology for its surfboards, that combine the best qualities of the two materials used for the manufacture of the same: fiberglass and epoxy. DHD Surfboards thanks to the freesurfer Asher Pacey has been at the head of the Twinfins market.

Hayden Shapes

Created in Sydney in 1997 by Hayden Cox, it is a benchmark of quality of surf brands. They have been winners of the prizes of the industry to the best table of the year for three consecutive times thanks to the Hypto Krypto model. They are also the creators of the Future Flex technology.

Pukas

Based in the Basque Country, Spain, this company currently has a great reputation due to its high performance surfboards. Since 1973, when they manufactured their first surfboard, they have positioned themselves as one of the most powerful surf brands in Europe; thanks to its global vision and because of several of the best surfers in the world have gone through its ranks.

Js Industries

The talent and love for surfing have made the brand of "shaper" Jason Stevenson, one of the most recognized worldwide in the manufacture of high performance boards. We have seen some of their boards holding the feet of the best surfers of recent years.

Mick Fanning Softboards

It bears the name of the owner and three times surfing world champion. These boards are designed for both newbies and advanced surfers. According to Fanning, they are "the definitive tables to improve your surfing". After the Little Marley and the Beastie, for 2019 they have added the MF Twinfin to their collection.

NSP Surfboards

New Surf Project produces surfboards that hold on longer than those that have been manufactured by traditional processes. It covers the needs of any type of surfer thanks to its wide range of boards, all of them of an excellent quality, and perhaps with the one of the best relations quality of price.

DVS

The initials of Dick Van Straalen, one of the most famous shapers in Australia, since the 1960s. After 50 years in the game he has become a true master and commercializes all types of boards from paddleboards to longboards.

Lib Tech

This American brand is well known by manufacturing the toughest surfboards in the world. Formed by a collective of board sports loveres (surf, skate and snow) they have been working for more than 30 years. Its star model is the Ramp, an authentic barracuda through the waves.

A-Z List of Surfboard Brands/Shapers