SEMENTE SURFBOARDS 2025 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: Surfboards 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Semente
Interviewee: Co-owner and shaper

If you were to draw a quick assessment of 2024, how would you describe the current state of the surfboard market?
The market has been a bit unpredictable in the last year with highs and lows in strange periods of the year. I felt it was kind of a readjustment year for the industry in general with the long term affects of Covid-19 still playing a role.

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?
Like you say “recurring phenomenon” it is not the first time or last time for low priced boards on the market. This is and always has been a problem and something that serious board builders have to deal with. You do get what you pay for so don’t expect much on your 300 Euros purchase.

The good news in the surfboard market is that sales are quite evenly spread between very different designs (performance 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?
We carry a full range of models from kids boards all the way through to longboards, with a mix of twins, quads, singles and a huge range of three-fins for all tastes. Tow boards and guns for the Portuguese winter also play a part in our range. Custom boards have always been a major part of our production where we fit a board to our clients’ desire either working off an existing model or a new creation.

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?
Depending on the age, weight, height and desire of the “newbie” we have a lot of different models to fit. None of these models are “UGLY” I personally don’t think most people think much about the “walk of shame” because the rush of your first surfing experience is so great. Our Catchers, Midlengths and Gunslingers models are all good beginner boards and all look slick under your arm.

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?
Grovelers make up a big part of the market these days for sure and everyone seems to want at least one of these boards in their quiver. We play around with a lot of customs mostly twinnies and Quads in this range with a new model in the making for release in this coming spring season. Our existing D-2, Megathug and Jig are all great performers in that “grovely surf”.

Midlengths are everywhere as well. Which are the latest developments in this design within your range?
Our Midlength features a low-entry rocker and ample volume in the front for speed and effortless paddling. This board features double concave beneath the feet and vee through the tail to ensure confidence in tight turns. We run this model from 6`6” and 8`0”. This has become one of our best sellers and has been the comeback board for a lot of older surfers.

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 the base of our history and have evolved along with the rest of surfboard models. The longboard can boast more progression than other types on the simple fact that they have been here since the beginning. “The more the Merrier” on the design side yes. In the water??………….. spread them out a bit they catch a lot of waves 😊

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!
High performance boards will always be the sports cars of our industry and in general catchy beautiful things to look at. We love making them and like all of our models we strive to refine constantly to elevate their performance. A secret is a secret!!! put one under your feet to find out!

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?
This continues to be a difficult topic for board builders as the large majority of surfboards worldwide are still built with Polyurethane foam and Polyester resin. And the Epoxy Eps side of the coin also carries a lot of waste and has its own ecological downside. I do not think any of the present options are going to revolutionize industry and change the working order in factories. And until the top surfing professionals are surfing with some kind of eco-friendly board and winning contest it will be hard to convince people to change what they are riding. With in the materials we use it is important to try and find ways to apply our trash, Whether it be through art or another type of application.

Key Products:

Kabuloza:
This “Twin Fin” model stands alone as a completely different type of Twinny. Unlike our D-2 design, this board is built for surfing everything from fun beach breaks to powerful, fast pointbreaks. The foil of the Kabuloza is refined with a very mellow rocker line and a well-balanced distribution of thickness centered on the board, with a smooth dome deck that slopes down to a medium-low rail. The plane shape is parallel with a fuller nose, ensuring entry speed and stability.
We feature a slight vee in the forward section of the board, fading into concave and feeding into the four channels on the tail, which provide speed and control in critical sections of the wave. This alternative design excels in fast, demanding, tubular waves and is a great addition to any quiver.
If you’re looking for a design that breaks away from your standard, everyday surfboard, the Kabuloza will definitely meet the demand.

Mid Length:
A fusion of classic and modern elements blended with smooth and rounded lines are the base for this model. Low-entry rocker and ample volume in the front grant both speed and effortless paddling, while the double concave beneath the feet and the v-shaped tail ensure confidence in tight turns. Adaptable to all conditions, it proves to be the perfect board for surfers seeking to ride more waves without compromising performance, as well as for longboarders who crave something suitable for larger waves and hollow sections. Undoubtedly, this model is a perfect addition to your quiver.

Jig:
This board design is a revival of what was Jose Gregório’s (3x Portuguese champion) secret weapon for small to medium contest surf back in his competitive days. At that time, we also made a ton of this unnamed model for Italy as it excelled in weak Mediterranean conditions. We have since modernized, refined and tested this model to assure that it was on point for release.
“The Jig” is a full outlined bomb for small to medium surf. This board features a low rocker line with single concave feeding in to an accentuated vee in the tail, thus maintaining a continuous curve on the rail line and maximum speed through the center of the board. The vee in the tail gives it that extra release and pivot and enables us to use a wider swallow and still keep it loose.
This is a great choice for mushy or small conditions and should be used 2-3” shorter than your normal surfboard. Foam is your friend and this model has got some. Great summer sled.