About Surf Neutral
Surf Neutral was founded by Lesley Zonnekein, a passionate surfer and IT manager, and Klaas Neirinck, a skilled coder, both hailing from Belgium. The idea for Surf Neutral was born during Lesley’s year-long sabbatical in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, where he traveled with his wife and two daughters. While captivated by the magic of this renowned surf destination, Lesley encountered a challenge: finding a hand-shaped, custom longboard was nearly impossible. Despite Jeffreys Bay’s rich surfing culture, connecting with local shapers proved surprisingly difficult.
After months of searching, Lesley finally met the town’s shapers and asked, “Why was it so hard to find you?” Their responses were consistent: “I don’t want to spend time or money on a website or IT admin. I just want to shape boards, surf, and spend time with my family or on the beach. I’d love to be visible online, but I want to keep my story, identity, and authenticity intact without getting lost in the digital world.”
Inspired by these conversations and drawing on his 20 years of IT experience, Lesley envisioned a solution to bridge the gap between shapers and surfers. Together with Klaas, he created Surf Neutral—a platform designed to preserve the soul of surfing while connecting surfers with shapers to find their perfect board.
Our Mission
Surf Neutral has a dual mission: to keep the soul of every surfboard alive and to foster meaningful connections between surfers and shapers. We believe that each board carries a piece of the shaper’s craft and passion, a spirit that should never fade. Our platform ensures that the bond between shaper, surfer, and surfboard only grows stronger over time.
How It Works
Surf Neutral empowers shapers to manage their craft effortlessly while gaining visibility. Shapers can track their boards, upload designs, and showcase their portfolios. Unique QR codes, which can be glassed into surfboards, allow shapers to register and share detailed information about each board. Surfers can scan these codes to access a board’s story, specifications, and history, creating a seamless connection between the creator and the rider.
For surfers, Surf Neutral offers a tailored experience. Search for boards based on specific parameters to find the perfect match, connect directly with shapers, and explore their craftsmanship. Shapers, surfers or surfshops can also rent out stock boards or create demo pools, allowing surfers to test boards before committing to a purchase.
Giving Back to the Ocean
At Surf Neutral, we’re committed to supporting the surfing community and protecting our oceans. By championing local shapers and their authentic creations, we foster a sustainable surfing culture. Our platform makes it easy for surfers to support small-scale shapers, ensuring their craft thrives while giving back to the ocean that unites us all.
Join the Journey
Surf Neutral is constantly evolving, with new features designed to benefit the entire surfing community. Whether you’re a shaper showcasing your work or a surfer searching for your dream board, Surf Neutral is your home. Sign up today to connect, explore, and become part of this exciting journey!
The Surf Neutral Team