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.

Red Leaf People

  • 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.

  • Jane Putnam

    Jane is Pete’s better half and the behind the scenes support crew at Red Leaf. Jane takes care of pretty much all computer based design tasks from building our website to designing all the logos and artwork that goes onto the boards.

    Jane has been there from the start and is responsible for encouraging Pete to launch Red Leaf back in 2012.

    Jane also grew up in the UK and after attending art school went onto train as a furniture maker at one of the prestigious furniture making workshops in the UK. So we are always calling upon Jane for a helping hand in the workshop to get us out of trouble.

    Jane is a keen gardener and spends her mornings looking after a 10-acre garden a stone's throw from the workshop. In the afternoons she either helps out at Red Leaf HQ or will be busy working on her own art and timber designs.

  • Buddy

    In all fairness Buddy’s not that much help when it comes to making boards or running the business. He does however increase the cuteness levels and decrease the stress levels significantly. Plus, he is always keen for a trip to the beach.