Our Story
The Challenge with Existing Earplugs
Experimenting with various earplugs on the market led to the conclusion, that wearing them clearly diminished the surfing experience. The inability to hear the environment isolated surfers, hindering communication with fellow wave riders and affecting balance, a critical element for any surfer. Additionally, ill-fitting earplugs often resulted in discomfort and water leakage.
The Formation of SurfEars
With a background in mechanical engineering and experience in designing mobile phones and acoustic materials, Christian, along with a small team of surfing and engineering friends, initiated their mission in southern Sweden. SurfEars was conceived in this early stage, laying the foundation for what would become a revolutionary product for the global surfing community.
Innovation and Design
The earplug project became an all-consuming passion, driving the team to explore countless ideas, concepts, and prototypes. With a 3D printer, an invaluable tool for ideation and testing, they tirelessly crafted new design concepts. The quest for the perfect earplug reached its zenith with the birth of the final design.
The Mission of SurfEars
The objectives were clear, to develop a product that protected ears without compromising hearing and balance. For surfers and water athletes, these senses are indispensable. The vision was to create a product that not only facilitated hearing the world around but also encouraged seamless communication among surfers, preserving a fun and engaging surfing experience. Comfort was non-negotiable; the aim was to design a product so comfortable that users could wear it for hours without a second thought.
Awareness and Prevention
We aspire to help others, raising awareness to prevent ear problems, including common issues like Surfer’s Ear and Swimmer’s Ear. This ensures everyone can savor more valuable moments in the waves. SurfEars is committed to continually evolving and improving, aligning our goals with the shared passion of the water-loving community.
Environmental Commitment
Our profound love for the ocean inspires us to make a minimal footprint in everything we do. We are dedicated to preserve the beauty of the sea, we aim to ensure that every aspect of our work, from creating SurfEars to embracing a sustainable ethos, minimizes our impact on the precious environment we hold dear.
We have diligently sourced recycled materials and revamped our manufacturing processes to minimise our environmental footprint. Combating ocean plastic pollution is a cause close to our hearts and we are utilising recycled plastic in every pair of SurfEars 4.0. The core of SurfEars 4.0 is made with 91% post-consumer recycled plastic including material taken up from the ocean.
The Growth of SurfEars
In 2020, our team relocated from Malmö to Kåseberga, a small fishing village, drawn by the long right-hander in the harbor and being closer to nature. Solidifying our connection with the very essence of surfing that inspires SurfEars. Today, SurfEars has evolved into more than a surfing companion.
Embraced by surfers, divers, kayakers, swimmers, and all kinds of water enthusiasts, our 2024 community has grown to100 million water athletes wearing SurfEars for healthy ears and that makes us incredibly happy.
Our mission continues: to innovate responsibly and nurture the planet we all share.
Hydro Surf NZ SurfEars Distributor since 2014
Hydro Surf has been our New Zealand Distributor since 2014 providing SurfEars, SwimEars (now SurfEars 4.0), SurfEars Junior and excellent service to Surf Shops, Dive retailers, Swimming Specialists and Ear Health Clinics throughout New Zealand.
Hydro Surf Director Leroy Rust started surfing at the age of 3 and had symptoms of surfers ear by age 10. Unfortunately blue tac did not work for Leroy or his older brother James and both needed surgery in both ears in their 20's.