Our Story
Read all about Appletree Surfboards. How it all started and where we are now.
From humble shed on an apple orchard to spearheading the latest in water sports technology. We are committed to exceeding performance expectations, pushing the limits with passion and curiosity while pulling for the planet and its people.
2006 – Shed on an Apple Orchard
Wieger‘s drive about how things are made and his passion for artisan craftsmanship led him to start shaping his own surfboards in an old caravan and shed in his parents’ backyard. His surfer friends show interest in getting his boards – leading to the creation of the brand ‘Appletree Surfboards.’
2010 – Brothers in innovation
Jorrit Buurma, Wieger’s brother, joins the shaping process during a school project. Eager to experiment with various technologies, they dedicate all their free time to improving the longevity of the boards.
2014 – “De Beuker”
The first CNC machine “De Beuker” was constructed together with friend Vincent van de Gelder. Next to the caravan and shed, a portal cabin is installed to place the machine and build even more boards and start to experiment with different types of foam.
2014 – Vacuum infusion
After extensive trial and error, the brothers developed a production technique that makes Appletree boards significantly more durable than typical production boards. This major breakthrough sparked the idea that a full time future as board builders is possible.
2016 – First Factory Rijswijk
The first proper factory opens in Rijswijk, The Netherlands. Jeroen, Koen, Mark and Kai join the brother team. This dedicated team works tirelessly each day to build stronger boards. Confident in the boards and team, the brothers introduce the Appletree boards to the wider public at their first (local) events.
2017 – Paulino Pereira joins Team
Paulino, aka the Portuguese Powerhouse, joins the Appletree Surfboards team, achieving significant success in various competitions while riding Appletree surfboards and pushing their durability to the test.
2018 – Boosting production
Appletree for the first time manufactures boards in its unique Appletree construction for another brand, BWSurf. This OEM collaboration boosts the production capacity and strengthens the commitment to making a significant impact in the surf industry by offering long-lasting boards to other brands as well.
2018 – Sustainable Surf approved
By integrating more sustainable materials and manufacturing methods, Appletree boards received the Eco Board label from Sustainable Surf, an organisation supporting the board-riding community in creating, buying, and riding high-performance sustainable boards.
2019 – Setting sail for Portugal
Appletree Surfboards moves to Portugal to expand board production and aims to establish the cleanest surfboard factory. Franck joins the Appletree Helmsmen. New faces are welcomed to the team, including Sandra, Miguel and Andre.
2021 – An even bigger factory
As interest in Appletree’s boards continues to grow, Appletree purchased a building in Portugal to design and build a factory exactly as we envision, incorporating lessons learned from our small shed on the apple orchard and our two previous factories in The Netherlands and Portugal.
2022 – Commitments coming to life
As the factory and the brand grows, so does the responsibility to the Appletree team, the community and the environment. Committed to making a more positive impact, we start implementing our ambitions. Highlights include securing an agreement with the foam supplier to recycle all scraps and leftovers, improving safety and working conditions in the new factory, and setting money aside to purchase solar panels in 2023 to power the factory almost entirely with solar energy. Check “our commitments” for more details.
2023 – Keeping things real
Committed ourselves to gradually align with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Aiming to be more transparent about our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts. From 2025, reporting will be done on the previous year.
2024 – Digital Board Passport
All Appletree boards are provided with a digital product passport using an NFC tag. Besides the fact that the board can be connected to the rightful rider/owner. It also aims to provide (materials) information about the board. The first step towards more transparent communication about sustainability and a more circular process.
