Almond Surfboards
Almond Surfboards is a family-owned, Costa Mesa-based surfboard manufacturer and retailer that designs, shapes, and sells handcrafted fiberglass boards and durable R-Series closed-cell foam boards direct-to-consumer through its e-commerce site, a flagship store, and select international distributors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersCosta Mesa, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Almond Surfboards does
Almond Surfboards is a privately held, family-owned surfboard manufacturer and surf shop founded in 2009 and headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. The company designs and produces two distinct surfboard lines: hand-shaped fiberglass boards crafted in California using traditional construction (offered as stock models in fish, mid-length, and noserider/longboard categories, plus fully custom commissions starting at $2,500) and the R-Series line of durable, wax-free, 100% recyclable closed-cell foam boards made in the USA and priced between $399 and $699. Both lines share the same underlying Almond shape library, enabling the brand to serve surfers across skill levels from beginner (R-Series, eBook guide, matching quiz) to advanced (fiberglass custom commissions).
The business operates primarily direct-to-consumer through a Shopify-based e-commerce storefront with domestic and international shipping, supplemented by a single flagship retail store in Costa Mesa open two days per week and third-party distributors in select overseas markets (e.g., Biarritz, France). Revenue is diversified across board sales, custom commissions, surfing accessories (fins, leashes, bags, racks, wetsuits), apparel and merchandise (hats, shirts, shorts, kids apparel, collectibles), and digital products. Marketing is content-led: a blog, free digital surf guides, customer reviews, and the recurring 'Early & Often Surf Club' community events drive mid-funnel engagement. The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed outside funding, no parent company, and no M&A activity.
Strategic emphasis in recent years has been on lifestyle co-branding (Porsche, Graza, California Almonds, The Golden Secrets, Kevin Butler), sustainability through the R-Series recycling take-back program, and international DTC reach rather than retail chain expansion. Notable gaps in available information include revenue, headcount, management team, certifications, and any software or AI capability surface, which materially limits external valuation of the business.
Almond Surfboards firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Almond Surfboards
- Legal name
- Almond Surfboards, LLC
- Website
- https://almondsurfboards.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Almond Surfboards is a family-owned, Costa Mesa-based surfboard manufacturer and retailer that designs, shapes, and sells handcrafted fiberglass boards and durable R-Series closed-cell foam boards direct-to-consumer through its e-commerce site, a flagship store, and select international distributors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Almond Surfboards industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Surfboards
- NAICS
- Used Merchandise Retailers (4595)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Surf & Beach Sports Retail (Surfboards, Bodyboards, Skimboards) (CRAMAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water Sports & Marine Recreation Retail (Paddle/Surf/Dive/Boat Accessories) (CRAMABAI), Swim & Surf Performance Wear (CRAAAEAG)
Keywords
Where Almond Surfboards is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Costa Mesa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Almond Surfboards business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Surfboard Sales: Primary revenue from selling handcrafted fiberglass surfboards and durable R-Series foam surfboards through e-commerce and retail. Boards range from stock items to custom commissions.
- Custom Surfboard Commissions: Fully custom surfboard projects starting at $2,500, working directly with shapers to create unique boards for customers.
- Surfing Accessories: Sales of surf fins, leashes, board bags, wall racks, wetsuits, and other surfing essentials.
- Apparel and Merchandise: Branded apparel including hats, t-shirts, shorts, swimwear, as well as collectibles like wall art, flags, books, and homewares.
- Digital Products: Sale of digital surfing guides and eBooks, including 'Almond's Guide to Your First Year of Surfing'.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Fiberglass Surfboards - Stock Models |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | R-Series Surfboards |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Custom Surfboard Commissions |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel Items |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Surfing Accessories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Almond Surfboards product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Almond Surfboards designs, manufactures, and sells surfboards through two distinct product lines: handcrafted fiberglass surfboards shaped in California and durable R-Series closed-cell foam surfboards made in the USA. The company complements its boards with surfing accessories, apparel, fully custom surfboard commissions, and a Recycling Loyalty Program, sold direct-to-consumer via e-commerce and a flagship retail store.
Product overview
Almond Surfboards offers a dual-product portfolio centered on handcrafted surfboards built to help surfers catch waves early and often. The core offering includes Fiberglass Boards — custom and stock surfboards shaped in California featuring classic fish designs, mid-length boards, and noseriders/longboards. Complementing this is the R-Series line — durable, wax-free, 100% recyclable boards made in the USA from closed-cell foam, available in sizes from 5'4 to 9'2. The product ecosystem extends to surfing accessories (fins, leashes, bags, racks, wetsuits), apparel and merchandise, custom board commissions, and digital resources including a free beginner's eBook. The company also runs the Early & Often Surf Club community program and a Recycling Loyalty Program for sustainable board disposal.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- R-Series: Durable, wax-free, and 100% recyclable surfboard line launched in 2018. Built from tough closed-cell foam, these boards are made in the USA and designed for easy wave-catching with no maintenance required.
Products and services
- Fiberglass Surfboards Handcrafted fiberglass surfboards shaped in California, offered in fishes and small boards, mid-length boards, and noseriders/longboards categories. Designed for surfers seeking traditional fiberglass construction and proven performance shapes for varied wave conditions.
- R-Series Surfboards Durable, wax-free, and 100% recyclable surfboards made in the USA from rugged closed-cell foam, based on proven Almond fiberglass shapes. Available in sizes from 5'4 to 9'2 including Secret Menu, Survey, Pleasant Pheasant, Joy, and Surf Thump models with wax-free deck pads and Futures fin box compatibility.
- Surfing Accessories Essential surfing gear including fins (Joy Fin, Flex Fin, Pin Fin, Side-Bite Fins, Twin Keels, Quad Fins, Alpha Controller Fins, Dee-Fin), leashes, surfboard bags, wall racks, and wetsuits, sold as standalone items to surfers outfitting their boards.
- Apparel and Merchandise Branded apparel including hats, t-shirts, shorts, kids apparel, and sunglasses, along with collectibles such as wall art, Slightly Choppy flags, books, homewares, and decals/stickers.
- Custom Surfboard Commissions Fully custom surfboard projects built directly with an Almond shaper. Projects start at $2,500 and are crafted to harness ocean energy for individual customer needs, positioned as functional works of art.
- Recycling Loyalty Program Environmental program allowing customers to return well-loved R-Series boards for recycling in exchange for a discount toward their next purchase, keeping surfboards out of landfills and keeping materials in circulation.
- Almond's Guide to Your First Year of Surfing (eBook) Free downloadable digital guide designed to help new surfers gain confidence, shorten learning curves, and build a lifelong connection to the ocean. Covers fundamentals, etiquette, and ocean awareness for first-year surfers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Board doubled wave count for new surfers
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Almond Surfboards
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Almond Surfboards technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Almond Surfboards partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- California Almonds (Almond Board of California)minorPartnership to celebrate National California Day on February 21, 2026. Collaboration highlights California's agricultural heritage and surf culture through a joint event featuring custom merchandise, surf experiences, and giveaways.
- GrazaminorCollaboration bringing together surfboard craftsmanship and sustainable olive-oil heritage. Created limited-edition Special Recipe Fish surfboards honoring Graza's 'sizzle' and 'drizzle' olive oils.
- The Golden SecretsminorBuilt a quiver of custom surfboards for The Golden Secrets, a holistic skincare and wellness brand out of Los Angeles.
- PorscheminorHand-crafted surfboard collaboration inspired by clean lines and smooth speed, offered in three period-correct Porsche colors.
- Kevin Butler (KBut)minorCollaboration on the 'Mega Beach Chicken' surfboard — a long twin-keel fish designed for smooth, soaring rides. Kevin Butler is an artist who creates beach-themed illustrations.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Almond Surfboards competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wavestorm: Wavestorm is the dominant mass-market foam soft-top surfboard brand sold widely through Costco and Amazon. Almond's R-Series competes on durability, rounded rails, and recyclability against Wavestorm's ultra-low entry price point.
- JS Industries: JS Industries is an Australian premium surfboard shaper offering stock and custom fiberglass boards globally. Comparable to Almond's premium fiberglass positioning, multi-shape lineup (fish, mid-length, longboard), and international DTC footprint.
- Softech Surfboards: Softech is a direct foam soft-top surfboard line positioned for beginners and intermediates, distributed widely in surf retail. Directly comparable to Almond's R-Series line on construction type, beginner positioning, and surf-shop distribution.
- Channel Islands Surfboards: Channel Islands is a California-based, premium performance surfboard brand with both stock and custom fiberglass boards. Comparable to Almond's California-shaped fiberglass line on craftsmanship, pro-surfer credibility, and custom commission model.
- Firewire Surfboards: Firewire designs eco-conscious, performance-oriented surfboards using alternative materials (e.g., timber/composites, epoxies) and a lighter environmental footprint. Directly analogous to Almond's positioning of recyclable, technology-forward construction alongside fiberglass craftsmanship.
- Catch Surf: Catch Surf manufactures soft-top and alternative-construction surfboards with strong DTC and influencer-driven marketing. Highly comparable to Almond's R-Series strategy of reimagining foam boards with novel construction and pro/lifestyle appeal.
- Pyzel Surfboards: Pyzel is a Hawaii- and California-based premium shaper offering stock and custom fiberglass boards built around pro-surfer John John Florence's designs. Comparable to Almond on California shaped fiberglass craftsmanship, custom commissions, and brand storytelling tied to signature shapes.
- Lost Surfboards: Lost Enterprises is a large, globally distributed surfboard and surf-lifestyle brand offering stock and custom fiberglass boards plus apparel. Comparable to Almond on California shaping heritage, broad shape lineup, and global DTC distribution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Almond Surfboards social profiles
Digital presenceAlmond Surfboards financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Almond Surfboards leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Almond Surfboards funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Almond Surfboards M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Almond Surfboards
What does Almond Surfboards do?
Almond Surfboards designs, manufactures, and sells surfboards through two distinct product lines: handcrafted fiberglass surfboards shaped in California and durable R-Series closed-cell foam surfboards made in the USA. The company complements its boards with surfing accessories, apparel, fully custom surfboard commissions, and a Recycling Loyalty Program, sold direct-to-consumer via e-commerce and a flagship retail store.
Is Almond Surfboards a public or private company?
Almond Surfboards is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Almond Surfboards founded?
Almond Surfboards was founded in 2009.
Where is Almond Surfboards based?
Almond Surfboards is headquartered in Costa Mesa, United States, in the North America region.
How does Almond Surfboards make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Surfboard Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Surfboard Commissions, surfing Accessories, apparel and Merchandise and digital Products.
Who are Almond Surfboards's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wavestorm, JS Industries, Softech Surfboards, Channel Islands Surfboards, Firewire Surfboards, Catch Surf, Pyzel Surfboards and Lost Surfboards.
Does Almond Surfboards have an API?
No public API is recorded for Almond Surfboards.
What industry is Almond Surfboards in?
Almond Surfboards's product category is Surfboards. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAIAE, Surf & Beach Sports Retail (Surfboards, Bodyboards, Skimboards), with a secondary code of CRAMABAI, Water Sports & Marine Recreation Retail (Paddle/Surf/Dive/Boat Accessories). Its NAICS code is 4595.