TORQ SURFBOARDS 2025 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: Surfboards 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Torq
Interviewee: Sebastian Wenzel – General Manager

If you were to draw a quick assessment of 2024, how would you describe the current state of the surfboard market?
The market was and remains challenging.

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?
These come and go…

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
At Torq we try to cater for every surfer and make sure everyone gets the best value for their money.

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?
Our V+ range has generous volume combined with great surfabilty and caters to the surfer wanting to progress.

Midlengths are everywhere as well. Which are the latest developments in this design within your range?
Since we started the torq brand in 2012 Mid Length was our main focus. We have been are still doing a lot if R&D in that design area. We offer a wide range of different shapes and technologies in this category. The lates addition is the Delepero Twin.

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”?
We have different shapes in our longboard range that cater to different styles of longboarding. Not alone the shapes, but also different technologies offer a wide experience of longboarding with torq surfboards.

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!
The secret is to make sure these type of designs have a wide range of use and work in all kind of waves.

While the alternative constructions/materials towards the eco-friendly surfboard have never been so plentiful, we are far from a massive adoption (whether from manufacturers or end-users). Any solutions out there that seem viable to you?
We focus more on the production process, to save energy and reduce waste. This is combination with very durable boards makes a eco friendly board…it is just not so easy to communicate. This also helps to keep the price attractive. The Eco materials unfortunately still have a higher price, that the market seems not to appreciate.

Key Products:

M23 Channel Island X_lite:
The M23 comes from the storied M13 bloodlines, a favorite hybrid board Al Merrick made for himself and rode variants of for decades from fun Rincon to maxing Sunset. A true high performance hybrid that caters to the widest possible type and size of surfer – and for the widest range of wave conditions. Not to be confused with the CI Mid, the M23 carries more foam, boasting a fuller rail and sleeker nose outline. It paddles like a champ while still riding more like a shortboard

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V+:
The Volume Plus takes the trend for high volume wide boards into the midlength model, creating a board with the stability and paddle ability of a much longer board, but in a compact, easier to turn package.These boards suit all surfers of all abilities, whether looking for a first board or quiver builder for fun days. The high volume makes it super easy to catch waves while the rocker and bottom contours make this lively and agile underfoot with more performance than you would expect from a larger board. Great for beginners, great for bigger surfers wanting a shorter board

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Edouard Delpero Classic:
Alain Minvielle has extensive shaping experience in California and a fine appreciation for the flow and glide of the classic style. With Edouard’s input they have created a Classic shape inspired by the classic 60’s model of Longboarding (no edge) while adding some more modern bottom line to find the perfect cruiser with surprising manœuvrability. The critical part of this design is in the rocker and volume distribution – the curve of the rocker will allow you to maintain noserides in the pocket while gliding in small conditions as much as in larger waves. Finally the unique distribution of volume through the board, from a thick nose to a thin tail, will allow you to cross step with grace and turn with ease.

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