Thirty years ago, Pyzel Surfboards started the way a lot of good things on the North Shore have started: in a small backyard shaping bay, fueled by a love of surfing and far too much time in the water. What began as a one-man grassroots operation has grown into one of the most respected surfboard brands in the world, without ever losing sight of where it came from.
Jon's first ever shaping room on the North Shore, 1995.
It started in a backyard
Jon Pyzel started shaping in the early '90s, dialing in boards directly off the world-class waves on his doorstep. From the very first board, Pyzel has been about three things: performance, durability, and helping surfers surf better - whatever conditions they're in. The North Shore was never just a backdrop. It was the testing ground, and it still is.
Surfers shaped the brand
A huge part of Pyzel's progression came from the surfers pushing the boards. The Florence Brothers - John John, Nathan, and Ivan - helped fine-tune designs at the highest level, from fun beach breaks to the heaviest waves on the planet. Chargers like Billy Kemper and Mark Healey added another dimension, demanding guns that could handle XXL conditions without folding under pressure.
JJF and Jon, dialing in the next magic board.
Just as important - maybe more so - were the North Shore locals and everyday surfers who trusted Pyzel boards by putting their own money down to ride them. Their feedback, repeat orders, and willingness to push the gear hard shaped what Pyzel still builds today.
Mark Healey and Jon Pyzel with a fresh Padillac. Healey helped develop the model and actually named it, after its uncanny ability to paddle into XXL waves.
Growing the right way
As Pyzel grew beyond that original backyard bay, it did it the right way. Today, Pyzel boards are built internationally by regional teams of local surfers and craftsmen, while staying true to the original vision. The boards have collected some of the biggest titles in surfing along the way, but the priority has stayed the same: take care of the crew, pay people livable wages with benefits, work closely with vendors, and keep the craftsmanship at the center of everything.
Giving back has always been part of the story. Over the years, Pyzel has supported nonprofits and community projects that protect oceans, forests, and the places and people surfers love. Being a manufacturer comes with responsibility, and Pyzel takes that part of the job seriously.
Still family-run, still on the North Shore
Thirty years in, Pyzel is still a family-run company, led by Jon and Dali Pyzel, right here on the North Shore of O'ahu. Same values, same mindset - but with better boards now than ever before. Along the way, those boards have been part of World Titles, Triple Crowns, The Eddie, Wave of the Winter, Backdoor Shootout, Vans Pipe Masters, STAB In the Dark, and countless historic sessions in heavy water around the planet.
Jon Pyzel and his wife Dali Pyzel, who has built Pyzel Surfboards into the worldwide brand it is today. Jon and Dali continue to run the company from their home and factory on the North Shore.
The 30-year mark, the Too Much Coffee logo
In honor of 30 years of Pyzel, we've pulled an archived 'Too Much Coffee' logo - one that featured on the earliest shapes, including John John Florence's very first Pyzel - and stamped it on the back of a soft cotton tee, with Jon Pyzel's unique 30-year signature on the front.
Available throughout 2026, you can also order the 'Too Much Coffee' logo on any custom Pyzel surfboard via our custom board builder, or request it through your local surf shop when you place an order.
We're proud of where we've been, grateful for everyone who's been part of the journey, and fired up for what's next. Thanks for riding with us.