Gerry Lopez Surfboards 2025 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Surfboards 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Gerry Lopez
Interviewee: Nigel Gibb. Head of Sales

If you were to draw a quick assessment of 2024, how would you describe the current state of the surfboard market?
The surfboard market experienced a significant downturn following the COVID-19 boom, leaving many retailers with excess inventory. Although board sales have since stabilized, retailers remain cautious about prebooking. As a result, surfboard manufacturers and distributors are now expected to carry higher inventory levels to meet fluctuating retailer demand more responsively.

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 will always be a place in the market for affordable, entry-level surfboards—but as surfers progress, so do their expectations. Advanced riders seek boards that offer refined performance, premium construction, and long-term value. Durable, high-quality constructions—trusted by legends like Gerry Lopez—are designed to meet the demands of serious surfers and maintain their integrity for years. When it’s time to upgrade your quiver, a well-built board not only delivers in the water, it also holds its resale value.

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?
Gerry Lopez Surftech models offers a diverse range of surfboards, including longboards, mid-lengths, and alternative shapes, each crafted with careful attention to design and detail. His collection reflects a deep understanding of surf culture and board-building, shaped by decades of experience. From traditional outlines to more experimental templates, the lineup provides options for surfers looking to explore different approaches and aesthetics. Each model is a thoughtful expression of Gerry’s legacy and ongoing influence in the world of surfing.

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?
Surftech’s Gerry Lopez shapes are versatile, offering enough volume and paddle power to support novice surfers. At the same time, the Tuflite construction provides added durability, helping protect the board from the typical knocks and bumps beginners often encounter while handling their boards on land—without compromising the board’s integrity.

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?
Jerry Lopez has stayed true to the classic fish design with his Surftech Something Fishy model. It offers good paddle power to help catch waves and enough maneuverability for small, mushy conditions. Balancing stability and responsiveness, the board honors traditional fish shapes while providing practical performance for everyday surfing.

Midlengths are everywhere as well. Which are the latest developments in this design within your range?
The Gerry Lopez Surftech Midway blends elements of both longboards and mid-lengths, offering a versatile option for surfers who want a board that performs well across a variety of conditions. Designed with balanced volume and classic shapes, the Midway provides reliable paddle power and stability without sacrificing maneuverability. It’s a board that reflects Gerry Lopez’s commitment to timeless design and practical functionality.

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”?
Longboards are fundamentally defined by their shapes, and it can be challenging for performance-oriented shapers to break into a market deeply rooted in traditional, legendary designs. Having legends like Gerry Lopez involved fits perfectly with the heritage and spirit of longboarding.

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!
It’s all about streamlining the shapes to deliver performance while providing enough paddle volume for comfortable wave-catching. Material advantages also play a key role—durability, strength, and lightweight construction make a big difference. With input from legends like Jerry Lopez, technologies such as Tuflite and Fusion epoxy give us a competitive edge in the market.

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? BIO BASED RESIN
At Surftech, we’re all about making boards that are better for the planet. We use bio-based resins like GreenPoxy®, specially molded EPS cores, and recyclable materials to cut down on our environmental footprint. Plus, we build boards to last longer—so there’s less waste from broken gear. These eco-friendly features can be found in Jerry Lopez models.

Key Products:

Gerry Lopez LITTLE DARLIN // FUSION-HD:
The Little Darlin’ Fusion-Poly builds on Gerry’s popular Cheater, offering higher performance without losing paddle power. This quick, easy-to-ride board handles powerful waves confidently, managing late takeoffs, steep drops, and hollow sections. Its single to double concave bottom delivers speed and strong hold when the surf gets heavy.

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Gerry Lopez Something Fishy -TrueRide Construction:
The Something Fishy blends Steve Lis’ classic Fish design with Gerry Lopez’s modern updates—refined rails, bottom, and rocker—for added control and manoeuvrability. Still fast like the original, it honours tradition while enhancing performance. A timeless design, reimagined for today’s surfers. If you love Fish boards, this one’s definitely worth a ride.

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Gerry Lopez Long Haul -TrueRide Construction:
Hanging ten or throwing a cheater five is essential for any serious longboarder. The Long Haul True Ride makes these moves easier with its wide, full nose for stable standing and planing, plus a square tail that allows quick pivots. Though designed for turns, you’ll spend most time riding near the tail for control and style.

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