Safari Surfboards

What Safari Surfboards does

Safari Surfboards is a South African sporting goods company that designs, manufactures, repairs, and retails surfboards and accessories. Founded in 1963 in Durban, the company operates from a flagship retail and manufacturing site at 6 Milne Street, South Beach, and is Africa's largest and longest-established surfboard manufacturer. Its product portfolio spans performance and retro shortboards, funboards, fish models, longboards, Carver skateboards, and an Island Style accessories line (fins, covers, leashes, socks, traction pads, changing mats), supplemented by custom board design, bespoke spray artwork, and board repair services priced from R250 to R1,600. Manufacturing is anchored on Vacuum Infused Glassing, a proprietary composites process the company markets for enhanced performance and durability.

The business model is direct-to-consumer and wholesale. Primary revenue comes from one-time sales of boards (R6,000-R9,800 ZAR per unit) plus accessories and repairs, distributed through a Shopify e-commerce storefront, the Durban retail shop, and a global dealer network. Brand and product credibility are built around master shaper Spider Murphy, who joined Safari in 1972 after founding War Surfboards, has shaped over 80,000 boards, and has produced designs ridden by world champions Shaun Tomson and Martin Potter. Customer segments are horizontal: performance surfers, longboard enthusiasts, recreational/funboard riders, and big-wave specialists, served via a community-led marketing approach featuring team riders, a blog, and social channels.

No institutional investment, parent company, or M&A activity is disclosed. The company is privately held with a headcount in the 11-50 range, a growing shaping team including Zanie Cawood alongside Spider Murphy, and no disclosed revenue or funding data. Geographic focus remains South Africa-centric with a stated global export ambition.

Name

Safari Surfboards

Legal name

Safari Surfboards

Website

https://safarisurf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Safari Surfboards is Africa's largest and longest-established surfboard manufacturer (est. 1963), based in Durban, South Africa. It designs, shapes, and sells custom and stock shortboards, longboards, funboards, and surf accessories through its own shop, Shopify store, and global dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Surfboard Manufacturing

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf & Beach Sports Retail (Surfboards, Bodyboards, Skimboards) (CRAMAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water Sports & Marine Recreation Retail (Paddle/Surf/Dive/Boat Accessories) (CRAMABAI)

Keywords

• Custom surfboard manufacturing
• Surfboard shaping services
• Surfboard repair
• Vacuum infused glassing
• Surf accessories retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Durban

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Surfboard Sales: One-time purchase revenue from selling complete surfboards including shortboards, longboards, funboards, and fish models. Both stock boards and custom orders are available with pricing ranging from R 6,000 to R 9,800 ZAR depending on model and size.
2. Board Repairs and Services: Expert refurbishments and repairs for surfboards. Services include ding repairs starting at R250, snapped shortboard repairs from R900, and longboard repairs from R1600. Also services SUPs, wind and kite surfing boards.
3. Surf Accessories: Sales of surf accessories including fins, surfboard covers, leashes, socks, wetsuit changing mats, and traction pads.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Safari Surfboards designs, manufactures, and sells custom and stock surfboards — including shortboards, funboards, and longboards — along with surf accessories, under its own brand and via proprietary Vacuum Infused Glassing technology. The company also offers paid custom-board shaping services and surfboard repair and refurbishment, including for SUPs, windsurfing, and kite boards, sold through its Durban retail store, Shopify online store, and a global dealer network.

Product overview

Safari Surfboards is Africa's largest and longest-established surfboard manufacturer (est. 1963), offering a diverse portfolio of surfboards and accessories. The core product lineup includes performance and retro shortboards (PRO MISSILE, 70s FISH, FISH MISSILE, SPIN TWIN, BIG FISH, STTF, PRO TWIN, FISH BOMB), versatile funboards (MINI-MAL, Flying Saucer, SPIDER EGG, LOOSE EVO, Glider, Two-Step), and premium longboards (FREEDOM, PRO SON, THE LOGGER, CLASSIC NOSE RIDER, THE GOOSE, L2 PRO). The company differentiates through Spider Murphy's legendary shaping expertise (80,000+ boards over 60 years) and proprietary Vacuum Infused Glassing technology for enhanced board performance and durability. Supporting products include Island Style surf accessories (fins, leashes, board covers, traction pads, changing mats), Carver skateboards, and services including custom board design with bespoke artwork, and professional board repairs. Safari Surf is headquartered in Durban, South Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PRO MISSILE Shortboard High-performance shortboard designed for competitive and advanced surfers, priced at R 6,000.
• 70s FISH Retro Shortboard Retro-style fish shortboard inspired by 1970s designs, priced at R 7,500.
• FISH MISSILE Performance Shortboard Performance fish shortboard combining speed and maneuverability.
• Spin Twin Performance Shortboard Performance shortboard with twin fin setup, rounded pin tail for sharp turns; sizes 5'6 to 6'8; priced at R 6,000 to R 7,500.
• STTF Alternative Shortboard Alternative shortboard model offered as part of Safari's stock range.
• PRO TWIN Fish Shortboard Fish-style shortboard with twin fin setup, priced at R 6,500.
• FISH BOMB Retro Fish Shortboard Retro fish shortboard with explosive performance potential, priced at R 8,000.
• BIG FISH Surf Shortboard Shortboard designed for small, mushy surf; catches waves easily and generates maximum speed over flat sections; generally 2–4 inches shorter than normal board with wide tail; sizes 6'2 to 7'0; priced at R 8,000.
• PERFORMANCE FISH Retro Shortboard Performance-oriented fish shortboard for enhanced speed and maneuverability, priced at R 8,000.
• MINI-MAL Funboard Versatile funboard suitable for intermediate surfers, priced at R 8,000.
• Flying Saucer Alternative Funboard Alternative funboard with unique design, priced at R 7,000.
• SPIDER EGG Funboard Shortboard Funboard-shortboard hybrid designed by Spider Murphy.
• LOOSE EVO Funboard Evolutionary funboard model for loose, flowing surfing.
• Two-Step Funboard Funboard model offered in Safari's funboard collection, priced at R 7,200.
• Glider Funboard Funboard model designed for easy wave catching in Safari's funboard collection.
• L2 PRO Longboard Professional longboard designed for performance surfing, priced at R 9,000.
• FREEDOM Longboard Classic performer longboard for loose surfing in medium conditions; pin tail, strong rocker, deep nose concave, 60/40 rail; sizes 9'0 to 10'; priced at R 9,300 to R 9,800.
• PRO SON Longboard Ultra high-performance longboard with foiled rails, concave in nose, double concave flowing into vee in tail; designed for competitive surfers with progressive style; sizes 9'0 to 10'; priced at R 9,300 to R 9,800.
• THE LOGGER Longboard All-rounder longboard great for all conditions; paddles with ease and is maneuverable with no catch; smooth rail-to-rail surfing; sizes 9'1 to 9'6; priced at R 9,000.
• CLASSIC NOSE RIDER Longboard Longboard designed for riding the nose and gliding in small, flat conditions; flat rocker, wide nose, even plain shape, square tail with good tail lift; sizes 9'0 to 10'; priced at R 9,000 to R 9,500.
• THE GOOSE Longboard Ultimate classic and performance longboard; gentle rocker for waves up to head high, 60/40 rail, comfortable hang ten nose; sizes 9'1 to 9'6; priced at R 9,000.
• Scarfini Thruster E1/E2/E3 HEX Equilibrium Fins Premium thruster fins using Scarfini HEX Equilibrium technology, priced at R 1,249.
• Aerial Material Fins High-performance surf fins made from aerial material, priced at R 1,100.
• ISLAND STYLE Surfboard Cover Surfboard travel cover with combo reflecta design for shortboards, priced at R 960.
• ISLAND STYLE Leash Double Swivel Durable surfboard leash with double swivel mechanism, priced at R 360.
• ISLAND STYLE Socks Stretchy sock for mini mal and longboard surfboards, priced at R 410.
• ISLAND STYLE Traction Pad and Stretchy Sock Traction pad and stretchy sock combination for shortboards, priced at R 400.
• ISLAND STYLE Wetsuit Changing Mat Wetsuit changing mat with zip closure, priced at R 580.
• CARVER Skateboards Carver brand skateboard products carried by Safari Surfboards for surf training and street use.
• Custom Board Design & Manufacturing Service Custom surfboard shaping service including custom shapes, custom sprays/artwork, epoxy and eco alternatives, and all fin configurations (single, twin, thruster, quads). Customers engage via the Durban store or email.
• Board Repair & Refurbishment Service Expert board refurbishments and repairs including dings (from R250), snapped shortboards (from R900), snapped longboards (from R1600), and refurbished boards (from R1600); also repairs SUPs, wind and kite surfing boards.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60 years in continuous surfboard manufacturing
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rusty Surfboards: Long-running California surfboard manufacturer founded by Rusty Preisendorfer, producing performance and retro models. Comparable heritage-driven, shaper-led brand with global distribution and similar product categories to Safari.
• Lost Surfboards: California-based surfboard brand founded by Matt Biolos, producing a wide range of shortboards, fishes, and longboards. Directly comparable product breadth, global dealer network, and surfer-led brand identity to Safari.
• Bing Surfboards: Heritage California surfboard manufacturer founded in 1959, known for classic longboards and traditional shaping. Most analogous to Safari as one of the world's oldest continuously operating surfboard manufacturers with strong heritage storytelling.
• JS Industries: Australian surfboard brand founded by Jason Stevenson, offering performance shortboards, fish, and longboards globally. Comparable as a leading independent shaper-driven brand with similar product range, pro team endorsements, and DTC plus dealer distribution model.
• Haydenshapes: Australian surfboard brand founded by Hayden Cox, known for FutureFlex and other proprietary constructions. Comparable as a tech-forward, shaper-led brand competing on construction innovation similar to Safari's Vacuum Infused Glassing.
• Firewire Surfboards: Surfboard brand known for advanced construction technologies (e.g., epoxy, timber, LFT) targeting performance and durability benefits. Comparable to Safari's emphasis on Vacuum Infused Glassing as a manufacturing-tech differentiator and premium positioning.
• Channel Islands Surfboards: Iconic US-based surfboard manufacturer founded by shaper Al Merrick, producing performance shortboards and longboards. Most direct peer to Safari: same core business of hand-shaped performance surfboards with strong pro-surfer credibility and global dealer distribution.
• Pyzel Surfboards: Hawaii-rooted performance surfboard label led by Jon Pyzel, focused on high-performance shortboards. Comparable as a shaper-driven brand with global pro-team credibility and a similar mix of stock and custom board sales.
• Sharpeye Surfboards: South African surfboard shaper brand based in Durban with strong local surf scene presence. Direct South African peer sharing the same hometown surf community, market, and pro-team style of marketing as Safari.

Emerging players

• Almond Surfboards: California-based independent surfboard brand with strong DTC and lifestyle marketing. Comparable as a smaller, design-forward surfboard maker pursuing premium positioning and global e-commerce in a similar way Safari could scale.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/safari1965
• Instagraminstagram.com/safarisurfboards
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safari-surfboards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Safari Surfboards