Nomads Surfing, for the protection of the Oceans. Portrait

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Nomads Surfing is one of the companies invested in a real environmental dynamic… Ready to innovate in the heart of the ocean, relentlessly, this Bordeaux company is above all a story of friendship.

The founders of Nomads Surfing, passionate friends

Basile GENTIL, Nicolas THYEBAUT and Thomas CERVETTI are three entrepreneurs whose career has one thing in common: their passion for surfing. Basil is from Millau. He trained in agri-food engineering in Lille. But Basil is a travel enthusiast. He then left to start his professional career abroad, notably in Malaysia or on Reunion Island and the Philippines. After several years, Basile returned to France, where he was reunited with his family, who lived in Bordeaux. All the while, he practiced surfing, a sport where man is in communion with nature.

Surfer Nomads Surfing
At the origin of Nomads Surfing, a passion: surfing – Photography Manon LEPREVOST

For his part, Nicolas THYEBAUT is originally from Nantes, but has almost always lived in Bordeaux. He turned to a business school, the Kedge Business School. After obtaining a Master 2 in purchase, he obtained internships with large groups like Cultura or CDiscount. For almost five years, he worked for Airbus. A job that leads him to exile in Kuala Lumpur, on the other side of the planet. It was during this professional experience that he met Thomas CERVETTI. He is a school friend of Basil, and the three men meet in 2017, at the foot of the Pyla dune one evening in April.

Finally, Thomas CERVETTI also studied in Lille, in the same school as Basil, but in civil engineering. He is passionate about surfing and regularly practices this sport that he loves so much. A shared passion, which is the driving force behind their encounter and adventure. After all working for large groups, Basile, Thomas and Nicolas want something else.

A desire to undertake, born of a travel observation

During their experiences in Asia, in addition to the beauty of the landscapes, the three friends were struck by the state of the beaches and oceans. There, pollution is pervasive, due to a lack of adequate infrastructure and a lack of awareness of waste collection and sorting. For those who are passionate about surfing and the environment, these scenes are the trigger for their adventure. Their desire to develop a business that has an impact on pollution and the environment then grows in them. The beginning of Nomads Surfing. Starting from scratch, they carried out a comprehensive market study with a benchmark relating to the surf industry. This is a fairly polluting industry, especially with the materials traditionally used for the design of boards and suits. The latter are made from derivatives from the petrochemical industry.

We are committed to the composition of the products we offer, to minimize the environmental impact.

Nomads Surfing

The goal of Nomads Surfing is simple: to be able to offer surfers more responsible products, while helping to protect the oceans. Thus, in 2017, Basil, Nicolas and Thomas set up their company, and a year later, start marketing their products. A year during which they met many shapers (who design the boards) to present their ideas, as well as props from the world of surfing. Their main objective is to work with a professional who meets the criteria for Eco-Board certification. The latter was created by Californians and certify shapers around the world.

So, after months of research, the founders of Nomads Surfing met Vitor, a Portuguese Shaper at the head of Surfactory. It is together that they decide to work on eco-designed plank projects.

A surfboard in the image of Nomads Surfing, eco-responsible

Unlike traditional boards manufactured and marketed in the surfing trade, Nomads Surfing boards have a more responsible composition. The resin used is made up of 40% plant material and on some models a natural fiber replaces carbon. A clever linseed and basalt alloy, as well as a fully recyclable Styrofoam loaf. To make sure the materials work well in the use of the board, Nomads Surfing performs numerous tests with his rider team.

Basil and Nicolas founders Nomads Surfing
Basil, Nicolas and Thomas are the founders of Nomads Surfing – Photography Manon LEPREVOST

To date, Basil, Thomas and Nicolas offer two shortboard models, two fish, a mini malibu and a longboard to their customers. In terms of price, the boards range from 590 to 660 for classic models, and up to 920 for longboards. To vary the achievements, Nomads Surfing regularly changes its models throughout the year, and adapts in particular according to stocks and demands. The success of these boards is sure to be felt by customers very interested in the brand values, the quality and performance of the products it sells.

In addition, Nomads Surfing is diversifying by offering accessories for surfers, such as drifts. They are produced in France from recycled fishing nets, to fit into this eco-responsibledimension. It also offers other products such as pad pull, or covers to protect the boards.

Nomads Surfing, a brand for nature lovers

Nomads Surfing is certainly very focused on the world of surfing and the ocean, but also seeks to speak more broadly to nature lovers. To do this, it has developed a range of products, also eco-responsible, but not limited only to surfers. Stainless phone bags, textiles and a upcycled collection such as backpacks and computer covers complete the range of products designed by Nomads Surfing. This collection is made from advertising tarpaulins, helping to raise awareness among the French who in turn become actors in this process. Thus, their offer is varied, and continues to develop gradually. A way to show all customers what can be created with natural or recycled materials.

The concept is also of interest to Surf Shops, which offer several brands and models of surfboards, bodyboards, wetsuits and accessories. Their goal is also to reach surf schools, by offering to rent boards. The instructors can thus raise awareness among students, but also amateur surfers to this cause which is the workhorse of the brand. This makes it possible to offer a more varied range of rigid boards, the bulk of the boards in surf schools being designed in foam. Nomads Surfing does not have the immediate vocation of investing a physical shop in its own right.

Pop-up stores, “punching” operations that work

In autumn 2020, Nomads Surfing invested a pop-up store within Decathlon Mérignac. This vast store is entirely dedicated to sports, and has a wing dedicated to snow sports, such as surfing. Thus, for 15 days, Basile, Nicolas and Thomas could present their products, and their concept, to interested customers. Some already knew them, and came to order, others discovered the brand. A “seduction operation” that seems to be bearing fruit, even if the confinement has shortened their presence by a few days. They plan to renew the experience, because investing a pop-up store allows you to have maximum visibility over short periods of time. A non-committal presence, relatively profitable for the brand.

Currently, Basil, Thomas and Nicolas handle the entire supply chain of their products: from supplier orders, to customer shipping, storage and packaging. Real Swiss knives, which suits them. Indeed, in this way, they have a look at the state of their stocks, and focus only on e-commerce. This 100% digital sale does not know the impact of COVID-19, unlike companies that also have a commercial premises. And although organizing events or moving into a pop-up store is impossible at the moment, Nomads Surfing continues to grow thanks to the brand’s communication on the various networks… But also through word of mouth. By offering a variety of products, excluding surfing, Nomads Surfing wants to reach as many people as possible throughout the year.

Nomads Surfing, a committed company

Nomads Surfing is committed to promoting respect for the environment and the recycling of waste into quality products. In addition, it donates 5% of all direct sales to three partner associations, which are located in three different countries. Project Rescue Ocean, located in Béziers, France. Eco Knight in Malaysia and The Coral Triangle Conservancy in the Philippines. These are the three countries around which the brand was built, through the paths of Basil, Nicolas and Thomas. In the long run, The message launched by Nomads Surfing takes far beyond surfing, with many awareness-raising activities.

For the past two years, the company has partnered with Lacanau Pro, an international surfing competition that brings together the best surfers in the world. During this event, Nomads Surfing offers eco-responsible activities, such as recycling plastic found on beaches. An awareness-raising action that challenges, but allows to highlight a recurring phenomenon around the world. The origin of the design of their products is also a problem that Nomads Surfing takes to heart. Thus, its leaders aim to produce as much of their production locally as possible.

Nomads Surfing portrait founders
Founders share their love of the ocean and want to raise awareness – Photography Manon LEPREVOST

To get their message across to younger generations, Nomads Surfing also goes to schools. In particular, the founders intervened at a high school in Saint-Genès to present a documentary they made. “No Mad” is a report that demonstrates the situation of the world’s oceans and beaches. Moments captured, as they travel…

“No Mad”, a message to be spread without moderation

The documentary “No Mad”, made by Basil, Nicolas and Thomas was made in the Philippines… And selected in many international festivals like Milan, Lisbon or Kuala Lumpur. It is a declaration of love to the oceans. But at the same time a sorry and alarming observation about the state of the beaches, and the urgency to react. It highlights in particular plastic pollution, or overfishing, which destroys the indispensable marine flora and fauna. Thus, during interventions in schools, “No Mad” leaves no one indifferent. More than a request for change, a call to react… To change mentalities and find alternative solutions together to take care of the environment.

In addition to raising awareness in schools, Nomads Surfing also works in companies. In the form of participatory workshops, seminars or team building: the ambition is to raise awareness in the professional community… In order to develop and increase the good practices of companies in favour of the environment.

In the professional sphere, Nomads Surfing can also count on the support of sportsmen and under. Ambassadors who spread the brand’s message to their community. Young ambassadors, with a good level of surfing who represent them in the water during competitions… But also surfers who are part of the French team, present at the world championships. In addition to surfers, other sportsmen such as Renaud LAVILLENIE, Blair CONNOR or Jules PLISSON passionate about the world of surfing and the oceans, are joining this cause. These are all supports that show the enthusiasm and mobilization of a majority of people in favor of the protection of the planet.

Nomads Surfing… a future built on Bordeaux

Basile, Nicolas and Thomas did not choose Bordeaux by chance for the launch of their company. It is first of all a choice of heart, justified by the foot on the ground of everyone on the spot. But Bordeaux is also a city with interesting business potential, with its geographical position. In addition, the metropolis is located near the ocean… And the region has a large number of surfers very interested in the products of Nomads Surfing. This corresponds perfectly to the ambitions of the brand, with a very important human activity… And especially many local events around surfing, oceans (Lacanau Pro, Fête du Fleuve, Coupe de France etc…). With the containment, many Bordeaux people turn to outdoor sports. An ideal opportunity to reconnect with nature. From this perspective, Nomads Surfing’s products make sense.

This target is also particularly concerned and active on the issue of ocean protection. For this reason, nomads Surfing plans to increase participation in events around nature in the future. She also wants to repeat the installation in pop-up stores. In addition, to continue its growth, the brand has launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Ulule platform. Its objective is to communicate on fishnet drifts, which allows to subsidize part of the initial investment. Indeed, the purchase of the mould costs about 12,000 euros… Not to mention the price of raw materials, as well as research and development and testing. More broadly, it must generate pre-orders from surfers interested in concept and eco-responsibility.

The wave of success

The development of outdoor sports and new environmental issues reinforces the reach of Nomads Surfing’s message. Basil, Nicolas and Thomas are above all passionate, lovers of the oceans and nature. Their concept meets the expected success, and resonates in France and elsewhere…

Surfing is an Olympic discipline, and many people will surf for fun. This sport is developing!

Nomads Surfing

Since then, the success of the brand has continued to grow and speed. Indeed, the question of eco-responsibility and clean consumption is increasingly arising… Especially in the context of activities and sports close to nature, such as surfing. Nomads Surfing is particularly involved, and the effort made by the founders seduces dealers who want to support the brand’s commitment and product quality.

Also, Nomads Surfing expands its network of resellers: in France, all along the Atlantic coast, on the Mediterranean coast; but also in Belgium, Portugal, England and Sweden. With these new presences, the brand continues to innovate by putting on sale a new range of boards. 2022, the year in which the company’s activity accelerates…

Contact :

Go to Nomads Surfing

Photographs: Manon LEPREVOST

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