TOWN AND COUNTRY SURFBOARDS 2025 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: Surfboards 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Town & Country Surf Designs
Interviewee: Wilco Prins, president

If you were to draw a quick assessment of 2024, how would you describe the current state of the surfboard market?
If you divide the market into customs, stock boards and generic boards, the underbelly of the market with cheap low quality boards is definitely still suffering with a wide offer of poor quality boards. This is affecting the sales of stock boards of major labels as well to my opinion. Custom boards and high end quality boards are definitely doing a lot better.

We see a resurgence of a trend consisting of (literally) no-name brand, with boards retailing at very aggressive prices (under 300 €). Are you concerned by this recurring phenomenon?
There should be no reason to produce these kind of boards. Everyone deserves a good surfboard and anyone involved in making and selling surfboards as well. This is definitely not the case and let’s hope that those who bring in low end PU or EPS boards will focus on something else soon.

The good news in the surfboard market is that sales are quite evenly spread between very different designs (perf shortboards, summer boards, midlengths, longboards, beginner funboards), unlike other activities which rely on a single design. Did you adapt your range to offer a mixed bag of boards or do you rather specialize in one segment?
The shapers who shape under the T&C label offer a complete range of range of boards. Glenn Pang, Tommy Tanaka, Makani and Johnny Cabianca allow to have a wide offer of high quality surfboards for any condition.

In the past, beginners had go through the walk of shame, forced to aim for “fugly” looking shapes. In 2025, a novice board can be sexy as well: what do you have in stock for the newbies?
The Glenn Pang Bullit or for example the Tanaka Glide allow the intermediate surfer to catch a great number of waves and to start properly surf the wave at the same time.

The so-called Grovelers dominate the shortboard category (even if used in overhead surf), yet options are very unalike, from twin-keels to stubby tri-fins. What is your take within the Groveler category?
There is great number of grovelers that will allow you to gain speed and surf in small conditions. The Glenn Pang Dragon Fly and the Sinr with a wider tail and a bit of concave will allow you to continue to surf those smaller summer waves.

Midlengths are everywhere as well. Which are the latest developments in this design within your range?
There is great choice of midlengths for all type of waves from long points to punchy beach breaks. Our board of choice for this summer is the missing link. The original Missing Link filled the gap between a shortboard and a step up. What we found out is that it also works really well as a mid-length 6’8″ at longer. With a lower entry rocker, beak nose and wide point forward template, you can get into waves easy and early. The board is fast and maneuverable allowing it to work in a wide range of waves, from waist high to well overhead and bigger depending on the size ordered. The fins are placed further back than a traditional fish and a round pin and long rail line create plenty of hold when the waves get steep and hollow. Originally designed as a twin or twin with trailer, this board can also be ordered as a five fin option and the tail can be ordered as a round pin or baby swallow.

The longboard reach is unprecedented in surfing history, as even die-hard shortboard brands do propose classic Logs. If you are new to the category, how did you position yourself? If you have been a long-time promoter of 9’+ boards, do you think “the more the merrier”?
Shaping a longboard is like surfing one. It is easy to stand up on it and it is easy to make. However is really hard to make a good longboard and to surf them well. T&C has a great history in shaping longboards from noseriders to performance longboards. The real product of difference we currently have are our performance longboards, which are pretty rare in today’s offer.

The Groveler infused the High-performance Shortboard, yet the extra foam has been streamlined so that High-perf shapes still bear a racey look. Please unveil your secrets!
If you are looking for a small wave high performace board, your board of choice will be between the crankshaft or the Dreamweaver of Glenn Pang. Crankshaft, High Performance small wave shortboard. Fuller outline with a low entry rocker allowing the board to plane through the flats, the tail rocker allows the board to still turn tight in the pocket. Should be ordered at least an inch shorter and a little wider than your usual dimensions. It has a deep single concave with slight Vee of the tail. Dreamweaver, This surfboard is based off of our Crankshaft model but has a more pulled in outline making the board turn quicker. It also has deeper concaves between the fins making the rail line have a little more curve, allowing the board to turn tighter in the pocket. Really fun all around short board that you can order at your regular size.

Key Products:

Tri Con:
The Tri Con is Tanaka’s most performance based longboard. It has the most rocker, pulled in tail and nose and harder rails for added maneuverability. Generally this board is ridden when the waves are good with some power and even barreling. Advanced riders can still nose ride this board but it’s not for beginners to learn on. This will handle serious waves for surfers looking to perform on a longboard. 9’0″x22″x2 5/8″ = 57.51L

SINR:
A modern spin off of the Saint, the SINR is the newest addition to our twin fin line up. It’s great for any surfer looking to ride a fun & lively twin fin in waist to head high surf. The SINR has a deep single to double concave that lets the board carry a lot of its own speed in smaller surf. A deep single channel exiting out the tail also adds a lot more drive and makes it less likely to slide out than a traditional twin fin. Should be ordered 3” to 4” shorter and 1/2” to 3/4” wider than your standard shortboard. The SINR is also available with Venturi channel. This creates more lift and speed if that is what you need. 5’5″x19 1/2″x2 3/8″ = 28.64L

Tri Con

DragonFly:
The DragonFLY is a high volume, low rocker shortboard with a deep single to double concave. Designed to be user friendly & get your wave count up, this board carries a lot of speed and performance. Order the DragonFLY 3”- 4” shorter and 1/2”- 3/4” wider than your standard shortboard. 5’7″x19 1/2″x2 3/8″ = 29.08L

DragonFly

SINR:

SINR