About Us

Kia ora! We are a small, family-owned business based in Raglan, New Zealand, fueled by a shared love of surfing, the ocean, and our tight-knit community. I'm Laura, and alongside my fiancé Todd, our three adventurous boys—Billy, Taylor, and Jackson—we live, breathe, and surf the waves that surround us.
Our story begins with a few intense moments in the surf. I my friends and I had some close calls, including one where friends board hit her in the head, and my fin nearly amputated my toe, followed by a few other near misses that made me question my luck. But the real wake-up call came when one of our amazing surf friends took a serious hit, needing eight stitches after her board struck her in the head during a wipeout. That moment made me realise just how much risk is involved in our favorite sport—especially with the rising popularity of surfing and us wanting to push our comfort zones.

With crowded surf spots, more fins and boards in the water, and unpredictable weather conditions, the risk factor is something even the most seasoned surfers can’t ignore. As my boys were starting to catch the wave themselves, I knew I had to find a way to keep them safe. The problem? There was nothing out there that met our needs—comfort, style, and most importantly, protection.

So, after a lot of brainstorming, the SurfShell was born—our practical, stylish, and comfortable surf hat, that doubles as a bump and gash protective cap. It’s designed with the modern surfer in mind: a helmet that doesn’t just protect you but allows you to ride with confidence and style. We believe there’s no need to compromise between staying stoked and staying safe, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro.

Our boys, with their curious entrepreneurial minds, have been right alongside us in bringing SurfShell to life. They've been learning the ropes of starting a business, helping with everything from product development, logo design and making videos and photos. It’s been an amazing experience seeing them so engaged.

At SurfShell, we’re not just about selling helmets—we’re about creating a safer, more enjoyable water sport experience for our fellow water lovers, with our mission to reduce head injury in watersport worldwide by making protective gear more available and easy to wear out there. As a family, we’re proud to be bringing you SurfShell and love being part of this vibrant, thriving community of surfers here in Raglan and beyond.

Join us in keeping surfing safe, fun, and stay stoked!