Transporting multiple surfboards has always been a challenge for surfers who travel frequently or want different boards for various wave conditions. Addressing this issue, two French surfer-engineers, Ewen Mahévas and Hadrien Nauroy, have developed a modular surfboard system called Newave that combines nine different board styles into one setup.
The concept is currently live on Kickstarter and offers users the ability to assemble different types of surfboards from a kit of seven interlocking segments. The set includes three nose pieces, one middle segment, and three tail sections. These can be mixed and matched to create three lengths of fish boards, three Malibu-style boards, one egg board, one gun board, and a longboard.
Each segment is constructed with an expanded polystyrene foam core encased in a fiberglass shell. The ends are equipped with nylon-composite couplers that lock the segments together using a simple push-and-turn pin system. The assembly process does not require any tools and can reportedly be completed in less than a minute.
According to Mahévas, the duo developed Newave after evaluating other modular boards in the market. “They were either badly designed, too expensive, or needed tools to assemble. We wanted something better,” he said.
Stress tests performed at Cobra International, the production partner for Newave, indicated that the boards could withstand over 300 kg (661 lb) of load once assembled. The design has also been tested in a variety of surf conditions, including waves in France, Scotland, Sri Lanka, and Bali.
Portability is a key feature of the system. Up to three segments can be carried in a standard-sized backpack, which is included with some packages. For those needing to transport the full set of nine board configurations, an optional wheeled travel bag is available. Other accessories include removable fins and a safety leash.
The Kickstarter campaign offers several pledge tiers. A two-segment fish board starts at $731, compared to a planned retail price of $950. The full nine-board kit with all seven segments is priced at $2,185 during the campaign, while the expected retail price will be $2,840. Backers are expected to receive their boards by November 2025, assuming production timelines remain on track.
Newave presents a practical approach for surfers looking to minimize gear without sacrificing versatility. While the concept is still in its early launch phase, it has drawn attention from the surf community for its space-saving design and tool-free usability.
Source: Newave
