At Ondanova, we build hollow wooden surfboards: meaning that each board is made around a lightweight internal skeleton structure, think of it as the spine and ribs of the board, over which a thin pannel of wood is applied. The result is a surfboard that is mostly made of: air, a bit of wood and a small amount of fiberglass and resin.
At Ondanova, we build hollow wooden surfboards: meaning that each board is made around a lightweight internal skeleton structure, think of it as the spine and ribs of the board, over which a thin pannel of wood is applied. The result is a surfboard that is mostly made of: air, a bit of wood and a small amount of fiberglass and resin.
The materials
We use Paulownia wood (also known as Kiri in Japan) for both the skeleton and the outer skin. Paulownia is ideal: light, yet resistant, and naturally rot-resistant. It grows fast and regenerates from its roots, making it one of the most sustainable timbers available. Our current supply comes from Europe, and we’re in the process of growing our own here in Portugal.
Wood is our main material, but we do still use fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin for the final lamination. This makes the board watertight and long-lasting, while keeping the resin content to a minimum, far less than what’s used in traditional foam boards. We’re constantly testing alternative, lower-impact finishes, but ocean conditions demand durability, which is also part of the ecological equation.
The weight of a wooden board is usually 0 to 20% higher than a foam version of the same shape, depending on the dimensions and design details. It's true that a high-performance shortboard in foam is hard to compete with in terms of pure lightness: they're designed to be extremely light, and often extremely fragile. In these low-volume shapes, the proportion of wood compared to air is higher, which naturally adds weight. But for more alternative designs with a bit more volume, the difference becomes much smaller. On some longboards, for example, our wooden builds are sometimes even lighter than their foam equivalents. And with that small difference comes greater strength, a longer lifespan, and more glide. The extra momentum makes them flow through sections with surprising ease.
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The process
The process begins on a computer. We create each board digitally and export the internal skeleton, then laser-cut it in our workshop. From there, the real craft begins: assembling, gluing, planing, sanding, glassing. Every board is built by hand, from start to finish.
You can choose from our selection of fixed shapes →: boards we’ve fine-tuned over the years, or you can work with us to design a fully custom shape →. Custom builds involve a design consultation, which is reflected in the price.
All of our boards are fitted with US boxes for single fins and Futures fin boxes as standard. For those looking for something even more crafted, we also make custom glass-on fins using marine plywood or fiberglass.
Refining
Our technique isn’t frozen in time.
With every board we build and every workshop we teach, we adjust, test, improve. Our system has evolved from early prototypes into a reliable, repeatable, yet still deeply personal process we are happy to share through our workshops!
PR01
Preparing the structure
PR02
Building the skeleton
PR03
SANDING THE SURFACE
PR04
Closing the board
More about us!
We prioritize eco-friendly materials like sustainably sourced wood, cork, partially bio-sourced resins and natural oils. Our process minimizes waste, reduces synthetic resins, and focuses on longevity, creating boards that last much longer than traditional foam models.
Beyond materials, we also believe sustainability is about the way we work. During our workshops, we encourage a collaborative spirit, participants help each other, share tips, and enjoy the process together. Shaping a board becomes a collective experience rather than a solitary task, which adds meaning and connection to the final product.At the moment, we don’t offer test boards.
Since each board is custom-built and not part of a rental stock, we prefer to keep them in the best possible conditions. That said, if you have questions or need help choosing the right shape, we’re happy to guide you through the decision process. Just reach out and we’ll help you find the board that fits you best.
Not necessarily.
Our boards are designed to balance weight and durability, making them comparable in weight to traditional foam boards while being significantly stronger. For boards over 7’ and alternative shapes (like fishes or mini-Simmons), the weight is similar to conventional foam boards. Performance shortboards, however, are about 20% heavier than their foam counterparts.
You can either build your own during our 3-day workshop →, order a custom board → or one of our fixed shapes →.
If we haven’t quite managed to answer your question, it might be on our FAQ page → or contact us directly through ondanovasurf@gmail.com →
