The brief

If you’re a surfer, there’s nothing worse than checking your surfboard onto a flight to chase the perfect wave, only to discover it’s been damaged when you arrive. Surfboards are expensive, performance-critical, and deeply personal pieces of equipment.  Protecting them during travel is essential. 

Our client Yuri wanted something special.  

Something that provided reliable surfboard protection during air travel, could carry more than just one board, and be a normal surf bag.

Sustainability was also a key priority. Yuri is passionate about protecting the oceans that surfers depend on, so creating a sustainable product was central to the design from the very beginning. 

The bang

We worked closely with the client to develop a unique surfboard travel system. The process involved multiple rounds of concept development alongside early physical test rigs. 

These early rigs were essential for proving the effectiveness of the internal rib-cage protection system. Understanding how the internal strapping and support structure would

• interact to stabilise the board inside the bag and
• allow the cushion of air to protect the board.

Several rounds of prototyping and testing followed. We needed to ensure the rib-cage system with tensioned straps protected the surfboards and was capable of resisting  impacts and rough handling. 

Prototyping with heavy-duty technical recycled fabrics presented its own challenges. These materials provide the strength, but they can also be bulky and difficult to work with during early development stages. 

Sustainability remained a core priority throughout the project. Sourcing sustainable fabrics that are traceable and environmentally responsible was an essential part of the process. These materials often come with high minimum order quantities and limited colour options, so identifying the right suppliers was critical. 

We also provided prototype samples bags to potential manufacturers and worked with them to obtain costings and samples to ensure the product was commercially viable.

The result

Ondo is the end result, a patented design that isn’t just a surfboard bag, but a two-in-one surfboard travel system. It combines the slim convenience of a day bag with the full protection of a surfboard travel case, giving surfers a smarter way to transport their boards. 

The design offers reliable surfboard protection during travel while remaining versatile enough to function as a practical everyday bag when needed. 

The product is now in the public domain, and you can register their support and intent to purchase here. 

The first production batch will be heading to beaches soon, so look out for Ondo the next time you travel in search of waves. 

Protecting your board and the ocean you surf on.