About Us
Red Leaf Surfboards was born in 2012, from our passion for woodworking, surfing and the desire to create surfboards in an environmentally responsible way.
We use a combination of natural, sustainable, recycled & non-toxic materials to build boards that are more in harmony with the natural environment that we, as surfers, love to immerse ourselves in. Our focus is on quality and longevity and to protect the planet rather than impact it in a negative way.
Over the first few years of making surfboards we realised the immense pleasure of riding waves on a board made by your own two hands. We really wanted to share that experience and in 2014 ran our first ‘ Build Your Own’ surfboard workshop. We now run workshops every year from spring through to autumn.
Pete Claydon
It was Pete’s desire to marry his passions and skills that set Red Leaf Surfboards off on it’s journey of creating handcrafted surfboards from eco-friendly materials.
Pete grew up in the UK where he trained to be a bespoke furniture maker. He went on to work for one of the biggest names in British furniture design and later became an award winning furniture maker.
After spending several months in New Zealand in 2006, Pete realised his dream to emigrate to NZ in 2013 and is now proud to call Aotearoa home. Based in the beautiful and remote east coast region of Tairawhiti, Gisborne, Pete established a small workshop at his home where handcrafts the boards and hosts the ‘Build Your Own’ workshops.
Pete lives on the slice of paradise that is Wainui Beach, graced with long sunny days and consistent surf. Pete is easily distracted and usually has to head out for his daily dose of vitamin sea before he can settle down to a day in the workshop.