Cabianca Surfboards 2026 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Surfboards 2026 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Cabianca Surfboards
Interviewee: Johnny and Kelli Cabianca - owners

The latest market studies show a 25% growth in worldwide participation between 2018 and 2024? Does this translate in your sales pattern?
25% more surfers ? Worldwide ?
No… What has changed is that being a surfboard brand used to mean being a producer, doing artisanal work, like we do at our factory. Nowadays, running a surfboard brand can be more like running a souvenir t-shirt brand: you design a logo, someone in China produces the boards, and no hands-on knowledge of shaping or production is required. Marketing, competitive pricing, and a strong sales team do the rest. These kinds of boards are the ones gaining market share. The average surfer in Europe isn’t looking for high-performance boards, but for those who are, the high-performance segment is still led by established names from the US and Australia, countries with a long history in surfing, which is what this audience values most.

Can you share the sales ratio between stock boards, custom orders, online D2C vs brick and mortar shops?
We only produce boards on demand; we never make a board without a buyer. Even when we sell to shops, it’s all custom, exactly what they order.

How can we lure back the newcomers into hardboards while softboards are their go-to choice?
We can’t say for sure, but according to soft-top brands, the trend is moving toward Epoxy boards with EVA decks, essentially a step toward a hardboard. New surfers who buy from us are often drawn to customization. Being able to create a board tailored to them is what makes them choose a board from us.

Which are the most sought after designs in 2026? (Mids, fish, grovelers, hi-perf, logs…)
We still mostly sell high-performance boards, that’s our audience. But we also have modern “summer toys,” like a new quad/twin, which are growing in popularity.

In comparison, which designs tend to fall back?
The really old-school twins aren’t requested as much as they were a few years ago.

Construction wise, EPS/Epoxy+carbon is gaining momentum. Do you think the fancy tech constructions are all smoke and mirrors, and PU boards won’t disappear shortly?
PU/Polyester won’t disappear any time soon. If you look at competitions, the higher the level, the more you see PU/Polyester boards in the water. EPS/Epoxy shows up rather in kids’ or lower-level competitions or among hobby surfers. Full carbon boards are definitely trending, especially for pool surfers who want a strong board (but carbon isn’t unbreakable either..). People like it anyway, even if its expensive and contrasts with sustainability efforts… !

Organic grown and eco-blanks are available for mass production nowadays: what is your take on those?
There are so many ways to build a surfboard, and every type of surfer has their own preferences. We think it’s great that there are many options available. We like to participate in projects we consider innovative or exciting. For example, all our models can be built using a variety of blanks : Polyola, NEOPS (biomass EPS), Agave, … so clients can simply choose the ones they prefer. We also collaborate with WYVE and BOSINY on alternative constructions. On top of that, we have another project in the pipeline that we believe could truly change the way surfboards are built >> so stay tuned!

Any tips for retailers trying to sort out their order sheets with more designs available than they can actually stock?
For retailers, the best approach is to focus on pre-orders and custom orders. Instead of trying to stock every design, they can announce what’s available and take orders from their customers. Since we produce boards quickly on demand, shops don’t need to hold large inventories. This way, they can offer a wide variety of designs without overstocking or tying up capital.

Key Products:

El DORADO New model 2026 :
Introducing El Dorado. Inspired by the speed, flow and simplicity of 1970s twin-fin design, it blends the glide of a classic fish with modern refinement. Flat deck, low rocker and swallow tail keep it fast, loose and agile. Ride it quad when there’s push, twin when it’s small. One board, different feelings ; built for spring offshores and summer sessions alike.

ELDorado_Cabianca_white

THE PICKPOCKET:
The Pickpocket is the latest addition to our performance range and already a favorite among European team riders like Nicolas Paulet. Designed by Johnny Cabianca, this refined high-performance shape helps progressive surfers push their rail game to the limit. With a sleeker nose and tail, it’s fast, responsive and built to link tight, critical turns deep in the pocket.

ThePickpocket_Cabianca-2

PRISM:
The Prism is the new name for a long-standing favorite in our range, a model thoroughly tested and approved by world-class athletes. Designed for less-than-perfect waves, its low rocker delivers speed and easy paddling, while the concave-to-V bottom keeps it lively and responsive. Ride it two inches shorter than your shortboard and turn average days into fun sessions.

PRISM