The surfboard market - France (2024)

1.2 Global market

surfing is one of the world's most popular and fastest-growing water sports. According to the International Surfing Association (***), there are almost ** million surfers worldwide.

As a result, the surfing market is expected to grow by almost *% over the period ****-**** , as shown in the graph below.

Global surfing market size World, ****-****, in $ billions Source: ****

Similarly, the surfing equipment market is also set for sustained growth, with a CAGR of around *.*% between **** and ****.

Surf equipment market size World, ****-****, in $ billions Source: ****

In terms of regional market share in ****, North America accounted for the largest share at over **%, thanks in particular to the popularity of surfing in the USA, such as in Hawaii and California.

Another dynamic region isAsia Pacific, with rapid growth driven by surf spots in Indonesia and Europe.

1.3 French market

France is a major player in the global boardsports market, with sales of *.* billion euros in ****. This represents *.*% of the sector's total sales, underlining the importance and influence of France in this industry. [***]

The number of licensees is a good yardstick for understanding part of the sector:

Trend in the number of members of the French Surfing Federation France, **** - **** Source: ****

We can see that the Federation lost many members in ****, certainly due to the pandemic and confinements, which interrupted the season.

The cradle of the sport is the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, and in particular the Landes and Gironde. Attracting ***,*** surfers every summer, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is not only the most dynamic surfing region in France, but also in Europe. Most of Europe's surfing industry sales (***) are generated in the southern Aquitaine region. The region boasts *** surf-related companies , creating some *,*** jobs and generating sales of *.* billion euros. [***]

To estimate the size of the surfboard sales market, we'll use the percentage of global surf market sales generated by France in **** (***).

This gives us

French market size = *.* * *.*% = *.****

Thus, the size of the French surfboard sales market can be estimated at $***.* million for the year ****.

2.1 Surfing: a wave of success

There are nearly* million regular boatersand nearly** million water sports enthusiasts in France in ****.

More and more French people are going to the seaside regularly, as the graph below shows.

how often do you go to the seaside? France, ****, in Source: ****

More specifically, surfing is attracting more and more French people. This desire is particularly noticeable when we look at the audiences for surfing during the Paris **** Olympics.

Indeed, surfing appears for the first time at the Tokyo **** Olympic Games, as an additional sport. In ****, it is present for the Paris **** Olympics in Polynesia.

Despite the time difference with Polynesia, surfing exploded in the ratings with nearly ** million French people watching the surfing events during the Olympics out of nearly ** million TV viewers, i.e. nearly **% of the audience.

Audience figures for surfing during the Paris **** Olympics France, ****, in millions of French Source: ****

In the same way, surfing was a ratings hit on Instagram, with France Info's most-viewed videos being surfing videos.

Number of Instagram views on surf videos France, ****, in number of views Source: ****

2.2 Rentals and surf schools: an essential determinant of board demand

The surfboard sector is obviously dependent on demand for surf lessons and rentals.

A good indicator of the dynamics of this sector is therefore the number of BPJEPS (***) issued each year, and as the graph below shows, this figure is actually on the rise. Between **** and ****, the number of certificates issued each year more than tripled.

number of BPJEPS diplomas awarded each year France, **** - ****, in units Source: ****

Similarly, the number of active surf clubs will increase between **** and ****.

number of active surf clubs France, ****-****, in number Source: ****

Most surf schools are small, with fewer than *** members:

Distribution of surf clubs by number of members France, ****, in Source: ****

In fact, **% of clubs have fewer than *** members. Only *% of clubs have more than ***. The remaining **% have between *** and *** members.

So, for many surfers, going to a surf school is commonplace, as the following graph shows:

"Have you ever taken surfing lessons?" France, ****, in % Source: ****

In fact, more than half of all surfers have already taken a surf lesson. The surf school seems to be a determining factor in the start of surfing. It enables many people to discover the discipline and become adepts. Surfboard rental is also a key factor ...

2.3 Surfer profile and habits

This section focuses on the habits of French surfers. The data were collected as part of the"Global Surfer Survey" piloted by the University of New South Wales Beach Safety Research Group (***).

Frequency of surfing among surfers France, ****, in Source: ****

For a large proportion of those surveyed, surfing is practicedonce or twice a week (***).

Average duration of a surfing session France, ****, in Source: ****

When it comes to the average length of a surfing session, the responses are very homogeneous. For over **% of respondents, the session lasts two hours. It lasts one hour for **.*% of surfers, and three hours for **.*%. For very few surfers, a session lasts less than an hour or more than three hours.

"Who are you going to surf with?" France, ****, in Source: ****

Finally, for the majority of respondents (***) say they surf with friends.

vast majority are male

Distribution of French Surfing Federation members France, ****, in Source: ****

Only **% of the almost **,*** members are women.

age of the licensees

heterogeneous

Age distribution of FFS licensees France, ****, in units Source: ****

A large number of members are under ** (***), but the majority are between ** and **, with **** members in this age bracket.

Distribution of FFS licensees by region France, ****, in units Source: ****

Logically, ...

3.1 Board sales value chain

Here is a diagram showing the value chain of the surfboard market:

Source: ****

3.2 Number of establishments and employees in the sector

to understand the structure of the sector, we need to look at changes in the number of establishments and employees. The NAF code used for this section is ****Z. It does not exclusively concern the manufacture of surfboards, but it is nonetheless interesting to study it in order to understand the structure of the market.

Number of companies manufacturing sports equipment (***) France, **** - ****, in units Source: ****

Between **** and ****, the number of companies rose steadily, from *** to ***. Despite minor fluctuations over the years, the overall trend is upwards. **** saw the lowest number of companies at ***, while **** saw a sharp increase to ***. Growth continued in **** with *** companies.

Workforce trends in sporting goods manufacturing (***) France, **** - ****, in units Source: ****

Overall headcount rose between **** and ****, from **** to ****, an increase of **.*%. Growth was relatively stable throughout this period, with a slight dip in ****. A more significant increase was seen between **** and ****, when headcount rose by *.*%, followed by a further *.*% increase in ****.

The geographical distribution of the sector's establishments is shown on the map below:

Source: ****

Logically enough, there is a high density of establishments in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, where surfing is most widespread in France. However, Auvergne Rhône-Alpes is the region with the most companies ...

3.3 Surfboard production

Although it may vary slightly depending on the type of board, the manufacturing process of a traditional surfboard can be summarized with the following steps[***] :

Designing the outline: The process begins with a block of foam, either polyurethane or polystyrene, which forms the base of the surfboard. To increase its strength, a wooden batten, called a "stringer", is integrated into the PU foam. The shaper then traces the external shape of the board on the foam block, using a template. Cutting the foam block: This delicate step requires precision and care. After tracing the outline on the block with a marker or pencil, the shaper begins cutting, usually with a saw. After cutting, the pencil marks disappear, forcing the shaper to work visually. Refining the foam block: This phase aims to harmonize the foam block in preparation for finishing. The use of planes is essential to level the wood batten and the foam, which have different densities and consistencies. Applying sandpaper: The board is then covered with glass cloth, which provides waterproofing, protection and impact resistance. Apply resin : The shaper impregnates the glass cloth with resin, taking care not to weigh down the board by removing excess resin with a squeegee. Glazing ...

3.4 Surfboard distribution

Distribution takes place through a variety of channels. The most common are surfshops, often specialized in the sale of surfing equipment or board sports in general.

There are also general sports stores, in this case Décathlon, offering both entry-level and more technical boards. The French brand also offers used boards

Some players specialize in online sales. One of the leading online surfboard retailers is Hawaii Surf. Initially focused on surfing equipment, the company's offering has now diversified. You'll also find ski, snowboard, skateboard and rollerblade equipment.

Focus on an atypical distribution method: the board distributor

Since July **, ****, visitors to Jo & Joe in Hossegor have been greeted by an innovative new installation: a surfboard vending machine. This stand-alone station, designed by SeaLocker and founded by Nicolas Farolfi, offers a surfboard rental service accessible via an app from *am to **pm. The *.**-meter-high structure is equipped with seven compartments, each containing one surfboard.

The project, born of Farolfi's difficulties in transporting his board during a trip to Australia, led to the creation of this unique prototype. The system enables users to reserve and collect a surfboard by scanning a QR code generated by the app. In addition, measures are taken to ensure ...

4.1 Product typology

Before looking at the different types of boards, it's worth making a quick distinction between the parts that make up a classic surfboard. Generally speaking, these are

the deck (***) ; the fins, which give the board stability; the rail, which corresponds to the sides of the board.

These main features can be varied in many different ways, hence the huge diversity of existing boards. In fact, a subtle modification of the board can provide completely different sensations and satisfy different desires. Boards can vary in shape, material and volume.

A first distinction can be made between foam boards and resin boards. Foam boards are generally intended for beginners. This material often provides better buoyancy, making learning easier. Resin boards, also known as "hard" boards, are favored by surfers with a minimum of experience, although resin models are also available for beginners.

There are currently two types of resin used for surfboards: epoxy resin and polyurethane resin.

In terms of board shapes, there are[***] :

- The Standard Shortboard : Ideal for experienced surfers, these boards are short and narrow (***). They are not recommended for beginners due to their size and require a good level of surfing technique.

-Évolutive Hybride : These boards measure between ...

4.2 Board prices

The following table gives estimates of the minimum and maximum prices observed on average on the Internet for different types of surfboards. Naturally, some boards may be priced higher or lower than the estimates given in this section. These indicators give a rough idea of prices on the new market.

Source: ****

There is also a significant second-hand market, which some of the industry's leading brands have taken advantage of. Décathlon, for example, buys boards from private individuals and sells them in its stores. Numerous surfshops have also adopted this practice. What's more, the second-hand market is quite dynamic on sites like Leboncoin.

4.3 Supply trends: electric and foil boards

Foil surfboards and electric surfboards represent interesting innovations in the surfing world, each offering unique characteristics and different surfing experiences.

Foil surfboards

Foil surfboards are designed to "fly" above the water thanks to a hydrofoil (***) mounted under the board. This system allows you to surf with less friction, catching smaller waves or surfing in light wind conditions. Lift Foils foil surfboards, for example, are available in a variety of sizes from *'*" to *'*" and are designed to be ultra-strong and lightweight. These boards are tuned to work as a system with Lift Foils' wings and masts, offering a responsive surfing experience like no other. What's more, they come ready to use with a high-quality EVA deck mat and a functional carrying case[***]

Electric surfing

Electric surfing, or e-foil, combines foil technology with an electric motor, enabling surfers to glide over water without the need for waves. Lift Foils, for example, offers the Lift*, an e-foil board aimed at a wider audience, including those with no board sports background. These boards feature a secure turbine system and require less maintenance than traditional propeller models. E-foils offer a unique surfing experience, gliding across the water with greater ease and stability, even in ...

4.4

In touch with their territory, surfers, and more generally watermen, are often concerned with preserving and protecting the environment. The federation's aim is to "educate people about the environment, protect the places where we practice and prioritize federal Ecosurf action".

More than just a sport, surfing is a veritable universe, a way of life with its own particularities and values, including respect for the environment. As a result, many board manufacturers and distributors make a point of emphasizing this aspect.

However, according to the survey below, there's still a lot of work to be done, since almost **% of French people think that surfers aren't sufficiently involved in environmental causes.

Do you think surfers are sufficiently committed to environmental causes? France, ****, in Source: ****

The French Surfing Federation is also committed to democratizing surfing for the disabled, notably through specific training sessions and the development of dedicated teaching aids.dagogical materials, the organization of awareness-raising operations and regular slots to welcome disabled surfers in clubs and private structures, and the purchase of specific equipment. [***]

The following is a list of the different categories of Paralympic surfing:

Paralympic surfing categories

5.1 General regulations

There are no specific regulations governing the sale of surfboards. However, retailers in this sector are subject to the generallawsof commerce, and must consider aspects such as location, the legal form of the company, and marketing strategy. In addition, the trend towards eco-responsible surfboard manufacturing is on the rise (***), with initiatives to reduce carbon footprints and use sustainable materials.

The legal obligations of retailers are described in detail on the Légifrance website.

6.1 Player segmentation

6.2 Financial analysis of companies in the sector

• Tahe
• Shapers Club
• Quiksilver Bilabong
• Nautix
• SDG Distribution
• Ripcurl
• FCS
• F-One
• Bisca Glisse
• Newave
• Yuyo 3D