Appletree Foiling S/S 2026 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Foiling S/S 2026
Brand: Appletree
Interviewee: Wieger Buurma, Brand manager/CEO

How was the 2024 market?
For us 2024 was a great year. I believe the market as a whole was down a bit, especially in new products due to the last bits of overstock that had to be shifted. But we saw growth in all regions and happy customers all over, so we’re really happy with performance.

How are stock levels compared to a year ago?
At appletreesurfboards we make each board to order, so we never have many in stock, only enough to supply last minute orders. Because of this, our stock is never really an issue.

What sport is driving the most demand at the moment (kite, wind, wing, surf…) and why?
Wing foiling is still the biggest section by quite a bit. We recently launched the Zapple model for Foil Drive, and that has been constantly sold out since launch. We can’t seem to make enough of them at the moment, so that is taking over quite a bit, but Wing is still strong. A new area that we see a lot of growth is the para/pocket wing market. It’s yet to be seen if the hype continues and reaches the average person, not just early adopters, but it looks good. An advantage of this is that you can do it on gear that you also use for normal wing. Apart from the wing itself, you don’t need much. That said, we are still marketing the new midlength boards heavily on para wing, because next to being an awesome wing board, it’s also really good to learn this new discipline on!

Foilboards

Which of your 2025 foil boards have sold best and why?
The Apple Slice V3 is selling really well, because it’s the most all round wing board design we offer and therefore appeals to the biggest group. The main sizes we sell are 60-70-80L, which shows that the typical Appletree customer is an advanced foiler looking for the highest performance gear. Exactly what we offer. We also pre-sold a lot of the new midlengths, yet to be seen how the sales stack up in the coming months.

What are the main trends in Foilboard construction, materials and design?
As for construction, Appletree is known for its own high end full carbon construction. Using a hydrophobic (waterproof) foam core and pure carbon lamination. So in the sense of material trend, Appletree sets the trend and we don’t have to follow anything. As for shapes. We see the move to longer and narrower continue from last year. Which makes sense as it’s efficient and just works well. That said, we also see interest in more stable boards grow, I guess the skinny boards are not for everyone and definitely not suitable for all conditions. So the shorter wider boards will also have their place.

What are the highlights of your 2026 foilboard offer?
For next season we hope to have moved all our models to a new construction/lay-up that we are testing in specific models right now. This means that we will have an updated look and feel, which is even stiffer and -more importantly- lighter weight! The durability is also better, so we are very eager to introduce this for next season

Any noteworthy efforts towards sustainability?
At Appletree Surfboards we are at the forefront of sustainability in surfboard design and manufacturing. Having our own production facility plays a major role in making this possible. We carefully source the highest-quality base materials, with most produced locally in Portugal or just across the border. We minimize the use of excess materials, run a recycling program that generates very little waste, and power our factory with solar energy for most of the year. We also place a high value on our team. When you purchase an Appletree product, you’re not only getting a surfboard that is 100% made in Europe, you’re supporting a talented, skilled workforce that operates in a safe, clean environment and receives fair wages along with a range of extra benefits.

How will you support retailers to sell your 2026 products?
Appletree is a small team, especially when it comes to the sales department. Since we only sell boards, it’s difficult for us to personally visit every shop each year. To compensate, we focus on being highly efficient with our online presence. We offer a comprehensive online file system containing all the resources dealers might need. In addition, we produce a wide range of in-depth videos about our products and organise online sales trainings for all our dealers.

Key Products:

Apple Slice V3:
The Appleslice V3 is the latest and most refined version of Appletree’s versatile and much-loved wingboard. This board is shaped for progression. Whether you are upgrading from a beginner’s board to a more high performance board or seeking a low-volume model for improving your wave or freestyle techniques. The Appleslice V3 ranges from 40 L to 100 L, offering various sizes to suit your needs.

Apple Slice V3 Deck

Apple Skipper Midlength:
The Skipper Midlength is a one-board quiver killer. It excels in light wind, prone setups, foil assist, and as a progression board for wing and parawing. Built for a wide range of riders (37L to 97L):

Smaller sizes: For prone riders, experienced wing/para-wing users and foil assist.
Mid-range sizes: For all-around wing and parawing performance, with superb low-end efficiency.
Larger sizes: Offering excellent lift and efficiency in low-power conditions.
mid length – set 4

Zapple:
The Zapple is a fully Foil Drive compatible board. The board was designed together with the Foil Drive team to make sure the board fits the Foil Drive seamlessly to minimize water turbulence. Its recessed layout reduces drag and keeps the battery weight closer to your feet, giving you greater control during tight turns and high-speed runs.

Zapple set 3