Pyzel 2023 Softboards Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Softboards 2023 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Pyzel
Interviewee: Rémi Chaussemiche European Marketing Consultant

The magic with softboards is they address equally to newbies and advanced surfers. As a brand, do you target a specific category of riders?
Our main target are the surfers looking for both fun and performance. We produce high end soft tops so our boards can either be used by beginners that are looking for a board that will suit both their first take off and their next step of progression, or by confirmed surfers that want to have a performance feeling on a soft top.

The softboards-only brands shook the market (in a good way) a few years ago, but now, all the endemic names in the surfboard industry also offer foamies. What are your thoughts on this evolution?
Soft tops have been booming the past few years so I guess every one wants a piece of the cake. I feel like soft tops has become a must have in a surfer quiver. The beginner has one to start and the confirmed surfer want or have one for the very poor days or the family beach days. For that second category of surfers, endemic name might look like more reliable designs.

At JJF By Pyzel, all the boards in the range are inspired from Pyzel surfboards shapes and developed with the Florence Brothers, so the shapes have been approved and we are sure they will provide the perfect funformance experience.

Which softboard designs will be the safe choice for retailers in 2023? Which ones comprise a more hazardous bet, but may pay off?
The Log or the board with a lot of volume are definitely the safe choices, most of the softboards consumers are beginners or intermediate surfers. That said small fish boards with buoyance and maneuverability can also pay off… for example this year we launched the Ivan Florence fish and The Nathan Florence Pod Racer. Both of those boards sells very well because of their shape that looks very fun to ride but also because the look of the boards is different. Ivan Fish present a skateboarding vibe while Nathan Pod Racer features a super hero look.

Do you have a specific offer for schools/rentals?
Our Board are high end soft-top so the price positioning limits the business we can do with surf schools.Even though if this is not our top priority, some really high end schools have been seduced by our models as they really suits the intermediate level population.

The latest constructions tend to mimic the traditional surfboard. Should we keep the softboard simple?
All the boards are made of Eco fiberglass / epoxy construction and wrapped in soft durable grippy EVA. Rails are hand finished and all boards features central wood stringer and future fin boxes for a better Funformance feeling.

So our construction are close from a traditional surfboard’s construction. In my opinion, if you aim to bring some performance in your softboards it is important to use more rigid constructions.

Are the crazy artworks/colorways a thing of the past in the softboard segment?
To me colorways and artwork are definitely part of the softboard success. It still is true today. At JJF By Pyzel we sell very well the Ivan Florence Fish and Ivan Florence Pod Racer featuring some creative artwork. On the Rest of the range full Black is our best-selling color because it looks different and cool.

The lifespan of a softboard being shorter due to the abuse and construction/material, how do handle the sustainability extent?
I don’t think a softboard has a shorter lifespan than a normal PU Board. I would say it is pretty similar. On our side we use Eco fiberglass / epoxy construction covered with durable EVA.

Key Products:
Ivan Florence Fish
Inspired by Ivan’s next level skills in both the water and skating, we have made this thing ride fun and loose like a skateboard and then just went ahead and made it look like one too. Designed by Jon Pyzel and Ivan Florence on the North Shore for fun in any wave condition. The Ivan FlorenceFish is made using the most advanced construction for maximum durability and performance. Genuine Futures fin boxes and a durable EVA top for those easy beach days.

– Funformance™ design by Jon Pyzel and Ivan Florence

– Eco EPS Construction

– Soft EVA Top Layer

– Genuine Futures Fin boxes

– Five Fin setup

5’6″ x 20 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ 31.6L

5’10” x 20 3/4″ x 2 5/8″ 36.1L

6’0″ x 21″ x 2 3/4″ 39.4L

Nathan Florence Pod Racer
We are stoked to introduce the Nathan Florence Pod Racer, a fun shape for a fun guy. Designed to be your go to for fun times wherever you might take it.

The Pod Racer is the perfect board for your first transition to a performance shape from a longboard or for those who can surf and are looking for a go anywhere and do anything addition to their quiver. Made using the most advanced construction for maximum durability and performance and featuring genuine Futures fin boxes and durable Eco EPS construction.

– Funformance™ design by Jon Pyzel and Nathan Florence

– Eco EPS Construction

– Soft EVA Top Layer

– Genuine Futures Fin boxes

– Five Fin setup

5’4 x 19 3/4″ x 2 3/8″ 27.5L

5’9″ x 20″ x 2 1/2″ 32.4L

6’2″ x 21″ x 2 3/4″ 40.1L

Log 9’0
Designed by Jon Pyzel and John John Florence on the North Shore for any day you are looking to have a good time. The Log is made using the most advanced construction for maximum durability and performance. Whether you are looking to progress your surfing to the next level or to have a board for mellow beach days, the Log is the board for you.

– Funformance™ design by Jon Pyzel and John John Florence

– Eco EPS Construction

– Soft EVA Top Layer

– Genuine Futures Fin boxes

– NEW! 2 + 1 Single Fin setup on 8′ & 9′ Logs Only

9’0″ x 24″ x 3 5/8″ 95L

8’0″ x 23″ x 3 5/8″ 81L

7’0″ x 22 1/4″ x 3 1/2″ 66L