Tree to Sea Australia
Handcrafted Wooden Surfboards. Built to Surf
For over 20 years, Tree to Sea Australia has been designing and crafting premium wooden surfboards while delivering Australia’s original surfboard building workshops. More than 1,000 people from around the world have attended our workshops — many returning to build again, bringing friends, family, and the next generation of surfers with them.
We were the first company in Australia — and only the second in the world — to offer dedicated wooden surfboard building workshops. Decades later, we remain leaders in craftsmanship, sustainability, and authentic surf culture.
Sustainable by Design 🌿
Our ECO wooden surfboards are constructed using plantation-grown Paulownia timber, precision milled to our specifications and vacuum bagged over a pre-shaped recyclable blank. This method creates boards that are lightweight, strong, and beautifully responsive in the water.
Unlike conventional boards, our construction process does not require fibreglass, to seal the board, helping reduce environmental impact. Each board is sealed with a marine-grade varnish containing UV stabiliser for long-lasting protection.
At Tree to Sea, we aim to keep our “environmental splash to a minimum.”
Our Construction Process
Come along and Make Your Own Unique Super Lightweight Eco Surfboard.
Wooden Surfboard Workshops
Weekend Group Workshop Experience
Participating in a weekend group workshop at Tree to Sea Australia is more than just building a surfboard — it’s an immersive, hands-on experience.
Over the weekend, you will:
Learn practical surfboard-building skills from experienced craftsmen
Gain confidence using specialist tools and techniques
Understand sustainable timber construction methods
Enhance your creativity through hands-on design choices
Connect with like-minded people in a supportive group environment
Walk away with a handcrafted wooden surfboard built by you
It’s a rewarding experience that blends craftsmanship, creativity, and surf culture — all in one unforgettable weekend.
Don’t Have Time to Attend a Workshop?
At Tree to Sea Australia, we can build your board for you.
Choose any design from our range and we’ll handcraft it to your specifications. Prefer something more personal? If there’s a board you’ve always wanted to own, simply send us a photo along with your desired dimensions, and we can reproduce it in our signature ECO wooden construction.
Every board is made with precision, sustainability, and performance in mind.
Delivered Anywhere 🌏
We can freight your wooden surfboard to you anywhere in Australia or overseas, ensuring it arrives ready for the water.
Functional. Beautiful. Unique.
Your Tree to Sea wooden surfboard will be:
A fully functional, high-performance surfboard
A handcrafted, sustainable build
A one-of-a-kind piece of art
Built to ride. Built to last. Built to stand out.
ECO Surfboards
At Tree to Sea Australia, our ECO Surfboards are super lightweight wooden boards designed for performance, durability, and sustainability.
We vacuum bag plantation-grown Paulownia timber onto a recyclable, pre-shaped inner core, with 4oz cloth and epoxy resin laminated between the timber skins and core for added strength. Timber rails come standard, with optional cedar feature stripes on the deck for a custom finish.
Sustainable at the Core 🌿
Our blanks are Australian made
Manufactured from recycled sugar cane waste
Shaped using an AKU Shaper machine
All shaping waste is returned and recycled to create new blanks
Instead of ending up in landfill, your board can be recycled at the end of its life to create another surfboard — closing the loop and reducing environmental impact.
Performance Without Compromise 🏄
Our ECO boards are:
Lighter
Stronger
More responsive with natural flex
Built without the need for a vent
Boards can be finished with marine-grade spar varnish for long-term protection, or oiled for a more natural look and feel — the choice is yours.
What Is Paulownia? 🌿
Paulownia is a fast-growing, plantation timber known for being exceptionally lightweight, strong, and stable — making it ideal for wooden surfboard construction.
The most commonly used species for surfboards is Paulownia tomentosa, often referred to as the Empress Tree.
Why It’s Perfect for Surfboards
Paulownia timber offers a unique combination of properties:
Lightweight – One of the lightest hardwood timbers available
Strong & Durable – Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
Naturally Rot Resistant – Performs well in marine environments
Stable – Minimal warping or twisting
Beautiful Grain – Warm tones and clean lines
Sustainable by Nature
Paulownia is:
Fast growing – Can be harvested in around 7–10 years
Plantation grown – Not sourced from old-growth forests
Regenerative – Can regrow from the original stump after harvesting
Because of these characteristics, Paulownia has become the timber of choice for eco-conscious board builders — including Tree to Sea Australia.
It delivers performance in the water while supporting a lower environmental footprint on land.
Choose a Board That Suits You
At Tree to Sea Australia, we’ve developed a simple formula to help you narrow down your options and choose the right board with confidence.
Our Surfboard Volume Formula
Half your body weight (in kilograms) = starting board volume (in litres)
For example: If you weigh 100 kg, start with a board around 50 litres in volume.
From there, you can adjust the volume based on:
Your surf fitness
Your experience level
The type of waves you’ll be riding
More experienced and highly surf-fit riders may choose to reduce volume slightly. If you’re building confidence or surfing less frequently, staying closer to (or above) the starting volume is often the smarter choice.
Bigger Is Better (For Most Surfers) 🏄
We always recommend going slightly bigger rather than smaller.
Most surfers ride boards that are too small for their ability, which can slow progression and reduce enjoyment. A board with adequate volume will:
Paddle more easily
Catch waves earlier
Improve stability
Increase overall wave count
Help you progress faster
Choose a board that works with you — not against you — and you’ll enjoy every session more.
How Much Does it Costs
Workshop Pricing
At Tree to Sea Australia, your workshop cost is included in the price of the board you choose. Pricing is based on the size of the board you build.
A $500 deposit is required to secure your place in a workshop. The remaining balance must be paid prior to your selected workshop date.
Workshop Board Prices
Up to 6'8" — $1450
6'8" to 7'2" — $1500
7'3" to 8'0" — $1600
8'1" to 9'6" — $1700
Your investment includes expert guidance, all materials, use of tools and equipment, and the experience of building your own handcrafted ECO wooden surfboard from start to finish.
Build it yourself. Ride something you created.
Gift Vouchers Available
We can provide a Gift Voucher for a Workshop for any amount, once the recipient has chosen their board to make and Workshop dates any balance owing can then be paid.
Book a Workshop
2026 Board Building Workshops
Come shape your own board, learn the craft, and enjoy a few solid days in the bay doing something different.
Spots are limited for each workshop, so if you’re keen, don’t leave it too long.
Lock In Your Spot
To secure your place, a $500 deposit per board being made is required.
Once you’ve filled out the registration form below, we’ll get in touch via phone or email with the payment details and everything you need to know.
Bringing a Mate?
No worries — A friend welcome to come along and hang out free of charge, just let us know when you book.
Final Payment
The remaining balance is due 2–3 weeks before your workshop, unless we’ve arranged something different beforehand.
Quick Example
If your board costs $1,500:
$500 deposit to lock it in
$1,000 balance due 2–3 weeks before the workshop
Tree to Sea Australia
Board Choices
Fish
Traditional Fish
The is all about speed, flow and fun. Inspired by the classic fish designs that have been putting smiles on surfers' faces for decades, this board is built to fly across the water and make the most of everyday waves.
Despite its compact size, the generous width and volume make it an easy paddler, helping you get into waves early and generate speed effortlessly. Once you're up and riding, the Traditional Fish comes alive—fast down the line, incredibly responsive, and happy to draw smooth, flowing turns or quick direction changes when the wave calls for it.
Whether you're surfing small beach breaks, peeling point waves or simply looking for a board that brings a different feel to your quiver, the Traditional Fish delivers a fun, lively ride every time.
Easy to paddle, quick to accelerate and full of character, it's a board that suits everyone—from surfers catching their first unbroken waves to experienced riders who appreciate the timeless feel of a classic fish.
Available in sizes from 5'6" through to 6'8"
Twin Fin or Quad Fin Setup.
This board built in a Workshop Costs $1450
Shortboards
Performance Shortboard
Designed for surfers who love speed, power and quick, responsive turns, the Performance Shortboard delivers everything you'd expect from a modern shortboard—with the unique character and beauty of handcrafted timber construction.
Fast off the mark and incredibly lively under your feet, this board is made to be pushed hard. Whether you're carving clean lines, attacking the lip or throwing it around in punchy beach breaks, it responds instantly and keeps the ride feeling fast and connected.
Built with a classic performance outline, it's perfect for surfers wanting something a little different from the standard white foam board. Not only does it stand out in the lineup, but its timber construction is built to provide years of enjoyment, making it a board you'll still be surfing long after most foam boards have been retired.
For surfers who want high performance without sacrificing craftsmanship, the Performance Shortboard offers the perfect blend of speed, durability and timeless style.
Can be built to suit your own preferred dimensions or own recommendations.
These boards built in a Workshop Costs $1450
Retro Model
Driftwood
The Driftwood is all about making surfing easy, fun and stylish. Inspired by the smooth lines of classic surfboards, it's been refined with modern rails to give you the best of both worlds a timeless look with performance that feels right at home in today's waves.
Best suited to between 6’6” to 7” - Single Fin
This board built in a Workshop Costs $1500
Retro Model
Retro Single Fin
For surfers who appreciate the golden era of surfing, the Retro Single Fin is a true throwback to the boards that defined a generation. Featuring a classic beak nose, full old-school rails and a flat rocker, this board is all about smooth lines, effortless speed and timeless style.
Designed to be surfed with flow rather than force, it rewards clean rail-to-rail surfing, drawn-out turns and finding the perfect trim line. The flat rocker generates natural speed, while the generous rails provide a smooth, forgiving feel that glides effortlessly through the wave.
This isn't a board to rush. It's about slowing down, reading the wave and enjoying every moment from take-off to kick-out. Whether you're trimming across a peeling point break or drawing long arcs on an open face, the Retro Single Fin delivers that unmistakable feeling only a true classic can.
Handcrafted from beautiful timber, it's a board that looks just as good leaning against the wall as it does carving through a clean wave.
Suitable for intermediate to experienced surfers.
This board built in a Workshop Costs $1500.
Micro Mal
Micro Mal
Don't let the size fool you—the Micro Mal packs all the paddle power and wave-catching ability of a much bigger board into a fun, compact package.
Designed with the generous outline and volume of a traditional mal, the Micro Mal can be ridden shorter without sacrificing stability or ease of use. It paddles effortlessly, gets you into waves early and carries speed naturally, making it an absolute joy in smaller surf.
This is the board you'll want under your arm when the summer swell is small and the crowds are out. Quick to paddle, easy to surf and incredibly fun, it turns more easily than a full-sized mal while still delivering the smooth, flowing ride that makes larger boards so enjoyable.
Whether you're looking to downsize without giving up wave count, or simply want a playful board for those long, warm days at the beach, the Micro Mal delivers smiles from the first wave to the last.
Handcrafted from beautiful timber, it's a board that's every bit as enjoyable to look at as it is to surf.
Can be built in any fin configuration.
Suitable for all skill levels.
This board built in a Workshop Costs $1450
Mini Mal
The Splinter
Has earned its place as our most popular board, and it's easy to see why. Combining the versatility of a Mini Mal with effortless paddling and wave-catching ability, it's the board that keeps surfers coming back. Designed to make every session more enjoyable, the Splinter paddles with ease, gets you into waves early and offers a smooth, forgiving ride in a wide range of conditions. It's stable enough to build confidence, yet responsive enough to keep experienced surfers smiling. Can be made in any size from 6' to 8'- Single Fin - Thruster - Quad Fin Setup.
This board built in a Workshop Costs between $1450 - $1600 depending on size.
Mid Length
Big Guys Shortboard
The Big Guys Shortboard is built for surfers who want all the performance of a modern shortboard, with the extra volume needed for effortless paddling and powerful surfing.
Designed with a classic shortboard outline, it delivers the speed, drive and responsiveness you'd expect, while the added volume provides earlier wave entry, increased stability and more paddle power. The result is a board that feels lively under your feet without demanding perfect conditions or endless paddling.
Whether you're surfing punchy beach breaks, clean point waves or anything in between, this board is right at home. It holds its speed through turns, responds instantly when you put it on rail and gives bigger surfers the confidence to surf with power and flow.
Handcrafted from beautiful timber, it's the perfect alternative to the standard white foam board—combining modern performance with timeless craftsmanship and the durability to be enjoyed for many years to come.
Suitable for intermediate to experienced surfers.
This board built in a Workshop Costs $1500
Mid Length
Indo Gun
The Indo Gun is built for those unforgettable days when the swell jumps, the reefs come alive and every wave demands commitment.
Inspired by the classic guns that have tackled some of the world's most iconic waves, this board is designed for speed, control and confidence in powerful surf. The refined outline, drawn-out rails and clean rocker combine to deliver exceptional hold, smooth rail-to-rail transitions and effortless drive when the waves are fast, hollow and unforgiving.
This isn't your everyday board—it's the one waiting patiently for that perfect forecast. The board you dust off when the charts light up and it's time to chase the waves you've been dreaming about.
Whether you're heading to Indonesia or paddling into your favourite heavy-water break closer to home, the Indo Gun is built to handle serious surf while delivering the timeless feel and craftsmanship of a handcrafted timber board.
When the waves get bigger, faster and more demanding, this is the board you'll be glad you brought.
Suitable for experienced surfers.
This board built in a Workshop Costs $1600
Mid Length
The Spruce
This is the board you'll find yourself reaching for time and time again. With a little extra volume under your chest, it paddles with ease, gets you into waves earlier and makes every session that little bit more enjoyable.
Inspired by the clean lines of traditional surfboards, it combines classic styling with a forgiving shape that's easy to ride in a wide range of conditions. It can be made to any length to suit the rider.
This board built in a Workshop Costs between $1500 - $1600 depending on the length.
Malibu Model
The Splinter
The bigger brother to our popular Splinter Mini Mal, the 9'1" Splinter Mal is all about easy paddling, effortless wave catching and long, flowing rides. With the added length and volume, it glides into waves even earlier, giving you more time on your feet and more fun in the water.
Whether you're looking to progress your surfing, enjoy relaxed point breaks, or simply want a board that makes every session easier, the 9'1" Splinter delivers. Stable, forgiving and beautifully balanced, it has the classic feel of a traditional mal with just the right amount of responsiveness to keep things fun.
This is the board you'll reach for when you just want to enjoy surfing. It trims effortlessly, carries speed naturally and loves everything from small summer waves to clean, peeling point breaks.
Perfect for beginners wanting a board they'll never outgrow, or experienced surfers chasing smooth, stylish lines, the 9'1" Splinter is built for one thing—making every surf a good one.
Available in sizes from 9'1" through to 9'6"
Round or Square tail.
This board built in a Workshop Costs $1700
Retro Malibu
Retro Noserider
The Retro Noserider is a tribute to the golden days of longboarding, designed for surfers who appreciate smooth style, graceful turns and the simple joy of walking the board.
With its classic outline, generous volume and traditional rocker, this board paddles effortlessly and glides into waves with ease. Once you're on your feet, it rewards smooth footwork, flowing trim and those timeless moments spent perched on the nose.
Stable, forgiving and beautifully balanced, the Retro Noserider feels right at home in clean point breaks and peeling beach waves, where long, stylish rides are the goal. It's a board that encourages you to slow down, enjoy the wave and surf with rhythm rather than aggression.
Handcrafted from sustainably grown Paulownia timber, it's as beautiful to admire as it is to ride—a timeless longboard built for surfers who appreciate classic design and enduring craftsmanship.
Whether you're chasing perfect ten hangs or simply enjoying long, effortless rides, the Retro Noserider captures everything that makes traditional longboarding so rewarding.
Suitable for intermediate to experienced surfers.
This board built in a Workshop Costs $1700
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Ex-Demo Boards
From time to time we’ve got ex-demo boards that come up for sale.
If you’re chasing a used board that’s already had a bit of water time (and comes at a better price), just get in touch and we’ll let you know what’s available.
Boards don’t usually hang around long — so if you’re keen, reach out.
Balin Board Bags
We can supply a Balin Board Bag for your new Wooden Board, just let us know when you book your Workshop.
Balin Leashes
We can supply Balin Leashes for your new Wooden Board, just let us know when you book your Workshop.
Fins for your new Board
We have a range of fins to suit most boards for purchase, let us know if you want some when you book your Workshop.
Boards made by the Tree to Sea family
A Collection of Tree to Sea Wooden Surfboard
About Us
About Tree to Sea
Some of the best ideas don't begin in a boardroom—they begin over a simple cup of coffee, a shared passion for surfing, and a desire to build something a little different.
Tree to Sea Australia® was founded in 2005 from a simple belief: a surfboard should be more than just another piece of equipment. It should be something you're proud to own, excited to surf and happy to keep for years to come.
What began as an idea between friends has grown into a lifelong commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability and the simple joy of surfing.
Tree to Sea is owned and operated by Rob and Darren, with our good mate Gary, now retired, playing an important part in the journey that helped shape who we are today.
As proud Mount Eliza locals, we've lived and surfed on Victoria's beautiful Mornington Peninsula our entire lives. The beaches we grew up on, the waves we've surfed and the community around us have all influenced the way we design and build our boards.
We believe building a surfboard is something every surfer should experience at least once. It's not just about creating a beautiful board—it's about learning new skills, understanding the craft and leaving with something that has a story behind it.
Long before sustainability became a buzzword, we chose to build our surfboards from sustainably grown Paulownia timber because we fell in love with its warmth, character and natural beauty.
Every board has its own unique grain, making no two boards ever exactly the same.
Over the years we've refined our construction methods to combine traditional craftsmanship with modern surfboard design. The result is a board that's lightweight, strong, responsive and built to provide years of enjoyment—not just a couple of summers.
Every Tree to Sea surfboard is individually handcrafted in our Mornington Peninsula workshop. From selecting each piece of timber through to the final finish, every step is completed with care and attention to detail.
We don't build boards on a production line, and we never rush the process.
But Tree to Sea has always been about more than building surfboards.
One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is sharing the experience with others. Through our surfboard-building workshops, we've welcomed people from all walks of life and helped them create their own handcrafted wooden surfboard.
Watching someone paddle out on a board they built with their own hands is something that never gets old.
Whether you're looking for your next custom surfboard or want the unforgettable experience of building one yourself, you're always welcome at Tree to Sea.
Come along to one of our workshops, create your own handcrafted wooden surfboard, and become part of the Tree to Sea story.
Thanks for stopping by. We hope to see you in the workshop... or out in the surf.
Rob & Darren Founders – Tree to Sea Australia®
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course — just let us know ahead of the workshop and we’ll make it work for you both.
By the end of the workshop, your board will be about 95% complete. All that’s left at home is a final sand and three coats of the varnish we provide.
Yes, that’s absolutely fine — just let us know beforehand so we can discuss in time for your workshop.
Absolutely — we love that.
If you have your own design in mind, just let us know ahead of time so we can chat it through and draw it up in our shaping program. That way we can have it precision cut and ready for you to build in the workshop.
Need to move to a different workshop?
Life happens — we get it.
If you need to switch to another workshop date, that’s absolutely fine as long as we have a spot available. Just let us know as soon as you can, so we can offer your place to someone else.
We’ll always do our best to make it work.
Cancelling a Workshop – Refunds
We put a lot of preparation into each board and each workshop, so here’s how it works:
If we cancel a workshop – You’ll receive a full refund.
If you cancel – We may need to deduct any non-recoverable costs already incurred (for example, if your custom blank has already been shaped specifically for you).
Under Australian Consumer Law, a change of mind doesn’t automatically entitle you to a refund. That said, we understand every situation is different — and we’ll always approach it with fairness and common sense.
Our goal is simple: build great boards and treat people well.
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Tree to Sea Australia
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