Boardshop

Boardshop: online surf retail from the UK since 2005

Boardshop is a UK-based online surf shop that has been selling surf equipment since 2005. The company describes itself as "the UK’s favourite online surf shop" and presents its operation as run by surfers for surfers, aimed at everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned travellers. Its catalogue is organised around three main areas: surfboards, wetsuits and surf accessories, complemented by bodyboards, surfskates and a custom board builder.

Surfboard range and shaping brands

The surfboard catalogue is structured by board type and by shaper or brand. Categories include shortboards, grovelers, hybrid surfboards, mid lengths, mini mid lengths, step-ups, mini mals, longboards, fish, twin fins, beginner surfboards, foam and soft-top boards, kids’ surfboards, starter shortboards and second-hand surfboards. The store also groups boards that have received awards.

Among the surfboard brands listed are Firewire, Pyzel, Lost, Channel Islands, Love Machine, Pukas, Lib Tech, Son of Cobra, Sharp Eye, Maurice Cole, Form Surfboards, Mark Phipps, Axel Lorentz Shapes, Slater Designs, Indio Surfboards, Torq, Harley Ingleby Series, Siren Surfboards, Almond Surfboards, Catch Surf, C-Monsta, Code Surfboards, Cortez Surfboards, Crime Surfboards, Haydenshapes, Indio, Machado, Takayama, Walden, Softech, Seastix, Skindog, Ocean & Earth, Thunderbolt, VEIA, Northcore, NMD Bodyboards, Gath Helmets, Indo Board, Roam, RYD and DB Journey, among others.

The site highlights several featured brands with brief descriptions: Firewire is presented as focused on innovative design, new materials and advanced construction; Lost Surfboards as a brand that experiments with design and prioritises fast, progressive boards; Channel Islands as built around performance, innovation and originality; Pyzel as the project of Hawaiian shaper Jon Pyzel; Torq as offering one of the most diverse ranges the shop has found; Form Surfboards as a collaboration between pro surfer Alan Stokes and shaper Luke Hart, available only at Boardshop; and Lib Tech as a construction approach presented as technologically tougher and environmentally better.

Wetsuits and accessories

The wetsuit section covers men’s, women’s and kids’ wetsuits, with summer and winter ranges, plus wetsuit accessories such as rash vests, boots, gloves, hoods and wetsuit bags. Brands named in this area include Vissla, O’Neill, Nyord, Alder and Xcel. The shop describes itself as the UK’s largest online wetsuit retailer and states that it offers an extended wetsuit warranty beyond the manufacturers’ coverage.

Surf accessories include fins (FCS, FCS II and Futures, plus longboard fins and fin accessories), leashes, tail pads, board bags, day bags, socks and stretch covers, multi-board travel bags, backpacks and dry bags, balance trainers, change mats, ear plugs, handplanes, surfboard racks, roof racks, seat covers, security products, skimboards, suncream, surf helmets, surfskates, surf travel luggage, surfboard repair items, towels, wax and watches. Bodyboard equipment is also sold, including bodyboards, bags, fins, leashes, body surfing fins, fin socks and handplanes.

Custom boards, trade-ins and guarantees

Boardshop offers a custom surfboard builder that it describes as the world’s first independent custom surfboard builder. Through it, customers can configure boards from brands including Almond, Channel Islands, Pyzel, Form, Lost, Son of Cobra, Mark Phipps, Siren, Pukas, Christenson, Love Machine, Maurice Cole, Cord, Skindog, Axel Lorentz Shapes and Sharp Eye.

The shop also runs a surfboard trade-in programme: customers with a pre-loved board in reasonable condition can offset its value against a new board. Two further policies are highlighted: a 30-day rideout guarantee, intended to remove the risk of buying the wrong board, subject to terms and conditions, and the extended wetsuit warranty mentioned above.

Customer feedback and practical information

The site displays a selection of verified-buyer reviews. One customer praises the team’s knowledge and flexibility; another mentions ordering by phone after asking questions and receiving personal service; a third describes advice from the initial contact through to purchase and delivery. These are individual testimonials rather than an aggregate rating.

Boardshop states that it offers fast and safe delivery with boards shipped securely, 0% finance to spread the cost of purchases, and a range of international shipping options. The site also includes pages on Brexit, secure shopping, loyalty bonuses and gift vouchers. The company publishes a blog with guides such as choosing a first surfboard, a surfboard hall of fame and boards for wave pools.