Surfplugs
Surfplugs designs and hand-makes custom-moulded medical-grade silicone earplugs for water-sports enthusiasts in the UK and globally, with repeat-order services, earwax removal, and resale of branded hearing protection.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersCopplestone, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Surfplugs does
Surfplugs Ltd is a privately held, family-run UK business that designs, manufactures, and supplies custom-moulded earplugs primarily aimed at preventing Surfer's Ear (exostosis) and ear infections in water-sports participants. Founded in 2003 by Devon-based audiologist and surfer Rob Shaddick following his own experience of the condition, the company is now owned by Neil Bennett and operates from Copplestone, Devon, where every Surfplugs unit is hand-made. The core product is a custom-moulded medical-grade silicone earplug that conforms to both the ear canal and the natural folds of the outer ear (pinna) and is finished with a proprietary grippy lacquer; each set ships with a fitted safety leash and storage pouch and the company reports a loss rate under 4% during use. The company holds British Society of Audiology certification in ear examination and impression taking and is certified to produce Insta-Mold products to CE standard EN 352:2, and the Surfplugs® mark is a registered trademark.
The business sells primarily direct-to-consumer through its e-commerce site (surfplugs.co.uk), with first sets priced at £85 plus audiologist impression costs (free at events or at the Copplestone premises), spare sets at £55 and single-replacement plugs at £35 when the customer's negative mould is already on file (retained for 3 years). Distribution is supplemented by an event circuit covering UK water-sports gatherings (CIWWC Paddlefest, Tryweryn Festival, European Freestyle Open, BCU Coaching Conference, Hurley events), a referral network of private audiologists for impression-taking, and a sponsorship programme of 14+ professional water-sports athletes. In addition to core earplugs, the company offers a £50 earwax-removal (microsuction) service and acts as a registered UK agent/reseller for Noisebreaker, Puretone, and CENS hearing-protection products, allowing cross-sale of non-water-sports custom moulds.
Commercially the model is a niche, brand-led DTC operation with global shipping, no external funding, no institutional investors, and no disclosed revenue. The most recent operational signals (updated 2024 privacy policy, 2024–2025 news/event posts, active social media, expanded service line) indicate the business is actively trading and modestly broadening its product surface, but headcount remains in the 1–10 band consistent with a micro-enterprise.
Surfplugs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Surfplugs
- Legal name
- Surfplugs Ltd
- Website
- https://surfplugs.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Surfplugs designs and hand-makes custom-moulded medical-grade silicone earplugs for water-sports enthusiasts in the UK and globally, with repeat-order services, earwax removal, and resale of branded hearing protection.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Surfplugs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Copplestone
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Surfplugs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Earplug Sales: Primary revenue from sale of custom-moulded earplugs. First sets include ear impressions, any 3 colour combination, leash cord, pouch, fitting instructions, negative mould kept on file for 3 years, and P&P. Repeat orders at discounted rates.
- Gift Vouchers: Gift vouchers sold at £85.00, redeemable for Surfplugs when impressions are on file.
- Ear Health Services: Earwax removal service at £50 including consultation and follow-up. Home visits available in Copplestone area.
- Hearing Protection Products: Reseller of Noisebreaker, Puretone, and CENS hearing protection products as registered agents.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | First Set - £85.00 + impression costs |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Spare Set - £55.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single Replacement - £35.00 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Voucher - £85.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wax Removal - £50 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Surfplugs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Surfplugs designs, manufactures and supplies custom-moulded earplugs that are hand-made in Copplestone, Devon from floating medical-grade silicone with a proprietary grippy lacquer finish. The moulding captures both the ear canal and outer ear folds to prevent Surfer's Ear (exostosis) and ear infections for water sports participants. The company also offers paid microsuction earwax removal services and resells Noisebreaker, Puretone, and CENS hearing protection products to its customer base.
Product overview
Surfplugs is a family-run business offering custom moulded silicone earplugs designed to prevent Surfer's Ear and ear infections for watersports enthusiasts. The core product is the Surfplugs (First Set) - custom moulded earplugs priced at £80 plus impression costs, with repeat orders at £55. The portfolio includes gift vouchers, spare/single replacements, professional earwax removal services via microsuction (£50), and hearing protection products (Noisebreaker, Puretone, CENS brands) distributed as a registered agent. All Surfplugs are hand-made in Copplestone, Devon, using medical-grade silicone with a lacquer coating, and include a safety leash and storage pouch.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Surfplugs (First Set) Custom moulded medical-grade silicone earplugs designed to prevent Surfer's Ear (exostosis) and ear infections for water sports enthusiasts. The first set includes ear impressions (free at events/direct visits), any 3 colour combination, a fitted safety leash, storage pouch, fitting instructions, negative mould kept on file for 3 years, and worldwide P&P. Suitable for all water sports except diving.
- Surfplugs Gift Vouchers Gift voucher redeemable against a Surfplugs First Set. The voucher covers any 3 colour combination, leash cord, pouch, fitting instructions, negative mould kept on file for 3 years and P&P. Cannot be used to cover the cost of impression-taking.
- Spare Set Replacement pair of Surfplugs for existing customers whose ear mould is already on file. Available at discounted repeat-order pricing of £55.00 with free UK P&P.
- Single Replacement Individual single-earplug replacement for customers who already have their ear mould on file and have lost or damaged one earplug.
- Earwax Removal (Microsuction) Professional ear health service performed by Surfplugs including microsuction, irrigation, and general ear health consultation, with video and photo documentation of ear condition before and after treatment. Home visits are available in the Copplestone area.
- Hearing Protection Products Custom hearing protection products (Solid Full Shell, optional filter, and Completely-In-Canal moulds) meeting UK and European safety standards up to SNR 29dB, distributed by Surfplugs as a registered agent for Noisebreaker, Puretone, and CENS brands.
Quantifiable outcome
- Surfer's Ear prevention after 5+ years of regular water sports exposure
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Surfplugs
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Surfplugs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Surfplugs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Paddle4ReliefminorSurfplugs donates a percentage of sales to Paddle4Relief charity, which ships surf equipment to developing surf communities. Partnership involves supporting Sri Lankan surf clubs through Surf Relief UK and Christian Surfers UK.
- NoisebreakerminorRegistered agent for Noisebreaker hearing protection products. Surfplugs can supply Noisebreaker products to customers who have their ear impressions on file.
- PuretoneminorRegistered agent for Puretone hearing protection and in-ear monitor products. Offers musician and music lover hearing protection.
- CENSminorRegistered agent for CENS (Custom Electronic Noise Suppressors) shooting hearing protection. Full range of CENS products available including ProFlex DX series.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Surfplugs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mack's Earplugs: Mass-market mouldable silicone earplugs and swim plugs sold widely in drugstores and online; competes with Surfplugs on price and convenience in the casual swimming and water-sports segment.
- ACS Custom (Active Communication Solutions): UK-based custom hearing protection and in-ear monitor manufacturer serving musicians, motorsport, industry, and water sports; comparable custom-mould technology and audiologist-channel distribution model.
- Cetma Composites: Italian custom-moulded earplug maker covering water sports, music, motorcycling, and industrial hearing protection; a direct peer in the custom-moulded hearing protection category with similar audiologist-impression workflow.
- SurfEars: Swedish direct-to-consumer brand selling ready-to-wear water-sport earplugs that preserve ambient sound; competes with Surfplugs for the same surfing and open-water swimmer customer, differentiated by an off-the-shelf fit versus Surfplugs' custom moulding.
- Putty Buddies: Maker of soft, mouldable silicone earplugs popular with swimmers, surfers, and children; an off-the-shelf alternative competing with Surfplugs' custom-mould approach on accessibility and price.
- Doc's Proplugs: Long-established US maker of premoulded and custom earplugs for surfing, swimming, and water sports — the closest direct competitor to Surfplugs in custom water-sport ear protection.
Broad incumbents
- Howard Leight (Honeywell): Honeywell-owned hearing-protection brand offering disposable foam plugs, banded plugs, and reusable earplugs across industrial and consumer markets; broad incumbent competing with Surfplugs at the mass-market end of hearing protection.
- 3M Personal Safety (E-A-R): Global hearing-protection incumbent with the E-A-R foam and reusable earplug ranges; overlaps with Surfplugs on hearing protection end-use but competes predominantly with disposable off-the-shelf products in industrial and consumer channels.
- Aquafresh / GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (Ear Care): Major OTC consumer healthcare players selling earwax removal drops and ear-care products adjacent to Surfplugs' microsuction service line; competing for ear-health wallet share rather than custom earplugs directly.
Emerging players
- ClearEars / CleanEars (ear care drops): Consumer ear-care drops and sprays positioned for swimmers and surfers to prevent ear infections; competes with Surfplugs on addressing the same water-sport ear health problem via a non-custom, lower-friction OTC product.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Surfplugs social profiles
Digital presenceSurfplugs compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Surfplugs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Surfplugs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Surfplugs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Surfplugs 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 Surfplugs
What does Surfplugs do?
Surfplugs designs, manufactures and supplies custom-moulded earplugs that are hand-made in Copplestone, Devon from floating medical-grade silicone with a proprietary grippy lacquer finish. The moulding captures both the ear canal and outer ear folds to prevent Surfer's Ear (exostosis) and ear infections for water sports participants. The company also offers paid microsuction earwax removal services and resells Noisebreaker, Puretone, and CENS hearing protection products to its customer base.
Is Surfplugs a public or private company?
Surfplugs is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Surfplugs founded?
Surfplugs was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Surfplugs based?
Surfplugs is headquartered in Copplestone, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Surfplugs make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Custom Earplug Sales are the primary driver. The others are gift Vouchers, ear Health Services and hearing Protection Products.
Who are Surfplugs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mack's Earplugs, ACS Custom (Active Communication Solutions), Cetma Composites, SurfEars, Putty Buddies and Doc's Proplugs. Broad incumbents are Howard Leight (Honeywell), 3M Personal Safety (E-A-R) and Aquafresh / GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (Ear Care). ClearEars / CleanEars (ear care drops) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Surfplugs have an API?
No public API is recorded for Surfplugs.