WAW Handplanes

What WAW Handplanes does

WAW Handplanes is a privately held, family-operated Australian bodysurfing equipment company founded in 2014 by Rikki Gilbey, with operations based in Monterey, NSW. The company designs, manufactures, and sells bodysurfing handplanes (handboards), swim fins, and related accessories targeting recreational beachgoers, bodysurfing enthusiasts, and organized bodysurfing clubs in Australia, the USA, France, Peru, and Indonesia. Its signature product lines are the BadFish handplane, manufactured from 99% recycled post-consumer ocean plastics sourced from the Great Barrier Reef via Eco Barge Clean Seas and from the Coffs Harbour River System via Mimmi Aboriginal Corporation, and a range of timber handplanes (Arrow Fish, Pinstripe Fish, Naked Fish) handmade in Java, Indonesia from FSC-certified plantation white cedar with final finishing in Australia.

The company's underlying technology combines a recycled-plastic processing chain (collection through Eco Barge Clean Seas and Mimmi Aboriginal Corporation, shredding via Plastic Collective, and molding by Australian manufacturer Toolcraft) with sustainable timber craftsmanship and 100% plant-based Yulex Pure bio-rubber straps certified by FSC and Rainforest Alliance. WAW has recycled over 12,100 kgs of Australian plastic waste to date and plants one tree per timber handplane sold through Carbon Positive Australia.

Revenue is generated exclusively through direct-to-consumer e-commerce (wawhandplanes.com.au and wawhandplanes.com) and a network of 60+ retail stockists across five countries, with product prices ranging from $14.95 for accessories to $280 for premium combo packages. The company monetizes one-time product sales without subscription or licensing revenue, supplemented by combo bundles (handplane plus fins), apparel, DIY kits, and gift cards. Community-driven growth is reinforced through a sponsored-athlete programme, 14+ affiliated bodysurfing clubs, and annual events including Whomp Camp and the Australian Bodysurfing Classic. The company is bootstrapped, with the only disclosed external capital being a $20,000 Amazon Launchpad grant in September 2020.

Name

WAW Handplanes

Legal name

WAW Handplanes

Website

https://wawhandplanes.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WAW Handplanes is an Australian family-owned bodysurfing equipment manufacturer founded in 2014, producing recycled ocean-plastic and sustainable-timber handplanes, swim fins, and accessories sold via DTC e-commerce and 60+ retail stockists across Australia, the USA, France, Peru, and Indonesia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling bodysurfing handplanes (BadFish and Timber lines), bodysurfing fins (DaFiN, DMC, Stealth brands), DIY kits, accessories, and apparel. One-time purchase model with products ranging from $14.95 (straps) to $280 (premium combos).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WAW Handplanes designs, manufactures, and sells bodysurfing handplanes (handboards) and complementary swim fins. Its flagship BadFish handplane is made from 99% recycled ocean plastic collected from Australian beaches and the Great Barrier Reef, while its Timber line is handcrafted from FSC-certified sustainable plantation white cedar. The company also offers combo bundles, DIY kits, straps, wrist leashes, fin savers, and apparel, and operates a lifetime WAWRRIORS warranty and money-back guarantee.

Product overview

WAW Handplanes is a bodysurfing equipment company offering a diverse product portfolio centered around handplanes (handboards) for bodysurfing. The core products include the BadFish Handplane (made from 99% recycled ocean plastics collected from Australian beaches) and a range of timber handplanes (Arrow Fish, Pinstripe Fish, Naked Fish) crafted from FSC-certified sustainable white cedar. Complementary products include DaFiN and Stealth swim fins, DMC Repellors, fin savers, and various accessories (DIY kits, straps, wrist leashes). The company also offers combo bundles pairing handplanes with fins, plus apparel items. A tree-planting initiative accompanies every timber handplane sale through Carbon Positive Australia. The business operates on a sustainability-first model with lifetime warranties and money-back guarantees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BadFish: High-performance bodysurfing handplane made from recycled ocean plastics collected from Australian beaches and the Great Barrier Reef.
• Timber Handplanes
• WAW Warriors Warranty

Products and services

• BadFish Handplane High-performance bodysurfing handplane manufactured from 99% recycled ocean plastics collected from Australian beaches, primarily the Great Barrier Reef. Designed to generate lift, reduce drag, and improve speed, control, and wave-catch ability for bodysurfers. Available in multiple color variants from $50 to $80.
• Arrow Fish Handplane Premium timber bodysurfing handplane handcrafted from FSC-certified plantation white cedar with deep concave for maximum lift, sharp rails for holding power, and rockered entry for splash reduction. Features adjustable Yulex Pure bio rubber strap, safety wrist leash, and low-VOC marine grade finish. Priced at $99.95 (regular $150).
• Pinstripe Fish Handplane Premium timber bodysurfing handplane with a simple stringer pattern, handmade from sustainably harvested FSC-certified plantation white cedar. A tree is planted for every timber handplane sold through Carbon Positive Australia. Priced at $99.95 (regular $149.95).
• Naked Fish Handplane Premium timber bodysurfing handplane showcasing pure unaltered FSC-certified timber grain, handcrafted from sustainably harvested plantation white cedar. Priced at $99.95.
• Timber Fish Handplane Generic entry covering WAW's handcrafted timber handplanes made from FSC-certified plantation white cedar with concave design for lift and control.
• DaFiN Swim Fins High-performance swim fins widely regarded as among the best for bodysurfing, bodyboarding, and ocean swimming. Made from 100% natural rubber with a comfortable foot pocket. From $79.95.
• DaFiN Mark Cunningham 2.0 SOFT Eco Fins Super soft comfort-focused version of DaFiN fins designed by Mark Cunningham with eco gum rubber construction and a softer foot pocket. Priced at $139.95.
• Stealth S1 Supreme Swim Fins Bodysurfing fins designed for both bodysurfing and bodyboarding, made with Malaysian rubber for extreme power and speed with a secure foot pocket. From $39.95.
• Stealth S2 Super Soft Swim Fins Super soft version of Stealth S2 fins combining two different rubber compounds for comfort without sacrificing power. Ideal for bodysurfing. From $59.95.
• DMC Repellors Swim Fins Swim fins with a unique reverse V rail design providing power on both up and down kick. Made from Flexi silicone for soft, super comfortable wear.
• Bodysurfing Combo Bundles Bundle packages pairing the WAW BadFish handplane with DaFiN, Stealth, or DMC swim fins (and Timber handplane with DaFiN). Combos offer savings over purchasing items separately, ranging from $119.95 to $239.95.
• WAW Handplanes DIY Kit Complete DIY kit for making a custom bodysurfing handplane at home. Includes Australian-grown sustainable paulownia timber blank, custom strap plugs, bio rubber hand strap, safety wrist leash, and calico drawstring bag. From $24.95.
• WAW Strap Kit Full adjustable strap kit containing bio rubber hand strap, custom handplane strap plugs, and handplane wrist leash. Priced at $30.
• WAW Yulex Bio Rubber Strap Environmentally friendly handplane strap made from 100% bio plant-based rubber, certified by FSC and Rainforest Alliance. Priced at $14.95.
• WAW Wrist Leash Safety wrist leash made from military strength paracord with 250kg+ breaking strain. Adjustable and easily attached/detached. Priced at $9.95.
• Stealth Fin Savers Velcro fin savers designed to keep swim fins on in heavy surf conditions. One size fits all and works with most swim fin brands. From $19.95.
• DaFiN Fin Savers Deluxe padded fin savers with innovative secure backstrap design, made using 2mm neoprene. From $19.95 to $39.95.
• WAW BadFish Surf Cap Water-resistant surf cap with interior elevated mesh breathing panels. Fully adjustable, one size fits all.
• WAW BadFish Organic Cotton Tee 100% organic cotton t-shirt in navy color with regular fit.
• WAW Gift Cards Gift cards allowing recipients to choose their own bodysurfing equipment from the WAW Handplanes catalog.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 12,100 kgs of Australian plastic waste recycled into products
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Eco Barge Clean SeascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollects ocean plastic from the Great Barrier Reef region. Plastic debris is hand sorted, washed, and shredded before being processed into WAW BadFish handplanes. Critical supplier for the company's ocean plastic supply chain.
• Mimmi Aboriginal CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollects plastic from the Coffs Harbour River System. Indigenous-owned organization providing plastic waste for recycling into WAW products. Featured on ABC's Moving to the Country program.
• Plastic CollectivecoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides shredding machines and support for processing collected ocean plastics. Equipment enables partners to shred collected plastic waste for remelting into new products.
• ToolcraftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian manufacturer that melts down shredded plastic and mixes it with pre-sorted Australian domestic recycling to produce the WAW BadFish handplane. Critical manufacturing partner.
• 1% For The PlanetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal organization connecting members with environmental nonprofits. WAW Handplanes is a business member committing 1% of gross annual sales to approved nonprofit partners including Sea Life Trust, OceanWatch Australia, and Planet Ark.
• The Hidden SeaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOcean-positive wine brand partnership for Plastic Free July 2025. Customers who order receive chance to win 6-month wine subscription. Brand removes 10 plastic bottles from ocean per bottle sold.
• We Are Feel Good IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSunscreen brand partnership for National Recycling Week. WAW collaborated to promote sunscreen bottle recycling program turning empty bottles into surfboard wax combs through Precious Plastic Margaret River.
• Carbon Positive AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization that plants trees on behalf of WAW Handplanes. For every timber handplane sold, WAW plants a tree through this organization in bird habitat rehabilitation, degraded farmland, and carbon sinks.
• YulexcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for bio-based rubber hand straps. WAW partnered with Yulex to produce unique fully adjustable Yulex Pure handplane straps using 100% plant-based rubber certified by FSC and Rainforest Alliance.
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational certification body ensuring timber is sourced from responsibly managed forests. WAW's Yulex bio rubber straps are FSC certified.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wave Weapon: Wave Weapon manufactures bodysurfing handplanes and handboards in the United States, directly competing with WAW in the same niche product category and serving the same bodysurfing customer base.
• DaFiN: DaFiN is a leading bodysurfing fin brand carried by WAW and is a direct peer in the bodysurfing equipment category, addressing the same core wave-riding use case with overlapping customer segments.
• Stealth Fins: Stealth Fins manufactures bodysurfing swim fins stocked by WAW Handplanes, operating as a direct peer in the bodysurfing equipment category with overlapping performance-oriented customer segments.
• Churchill Fins: Churchill Fins is a UK-based bodysurfing fin brand directly comparable to WAW's Stealth and DaFiN offerings, serving the same bodysurfing customer base with similar swim-fin products.

Broad incumbents

• FCS (Fin Control System): FCS is the dominant global surf fin brand supplying surfboards; it operates in the broader water sports fin category that overlaps with WAW's fin assortment but addresses surfboard rather than bodysurfing as its primary use case.
• Futures Fins: Futures Fins is a major US surf fin manufacturer serving surfboards globally; it is a broad incumbent in water sports fins, comparable to WAW's fin category but with a much larger surfboard-anchored distribution footprint.
• Patagonia: Patagonia is a global surf and outdoor brand that is both a stockist and historical employer of WAW's founder; it operates as a broad incumbent in the surf/outdoor category with overlapping sustainability-driven customer values and surf-shop distribution.
• Rip Curl: Rip Curl is an Australian-founded global surf brand offering wetsuits, boards, and accessories; it serves the same surf-adjacent customer base as WAW at much greater scale and is a broad incumbent competitor for surf-shop shelf space and consumer share-of-wallet.
• Billabong: Billabong is a heritage Australian surf brand with global apparel, wetsuit, and accessory lines; it competes broadly for the same beach-going and surfing-enthusiast segments that WAW targets with its bodysurfing equipment.

Emerging players

• Firewire Surfboards: Firewire is a sustainable surfboard brand focused on eco-friendly construction (biofoam, recycled materials); it is comparable to WAW as a smaller, sustainability-led surf equipment maker with overlapping environmentally-conscious customer values but a different core product (surfboards vs. handplanes).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/wawhandplanes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WAW Handplanes