Reconnecting with Nature

The quest for a sustainable practice

The company

NOTOX is a French company, located in the Basque Country, home of surf culture in Europe. The story began in 2006 with a simple idea: to provide surfers with boards that truly correspond to their values, respect for nature and people, while being as accessible as possible.

Our Values / Mission

Why choose between durability and performance? The design and materials give our boards improved capabilities for a better gliding experience. With increased strength and better vibration absorption, our boards are designed for maximum fun, responsibly.

Our mission

Inventor of eco-responsible surfboards, we have never stopped questioning our processes to produce ever more sustainable boards, respecting both our planet and the health of shapers. We call this the quest for the ethical surfboard.

Our Team

Meet the people who make it all possible!

Benoit co-founder and shaper of Notox surf

Benoît

Benoît started out as an electronics technician, but above all has always been fascinated by surfboards and the art of shaping.

At 15, he spends all his free time learning how to shape beautiful surfboards from scratch. He tested all his boards himself, from the barrels of Hossegor to the mighty waves of the reef of Lafitenia.

Not much has changed since. His love of perfection and innovation in composites make him a highly respected shaper internationally.

Did you know ? He loves motorcycles and no-kill fishing!

Pierre co-founder and CEO of Notox surf

Pierre

Computer engineer and holder of a doctorate in robotics, Pierre worked for ten years with European leaders in mobile industrial robotics before founding NOTOX.

Pierre draws on his knowledge to create innovative and efficient alternative solutions, which respect both the health of shapers and the environment.

He imagines boards with remarkable performance and responsible manufacturing.

Did you know ? He is passionate about martial arts and metal music!

Laurent

His only dream was to build surfboards and he did. With nearly 25 years of experience, Laurent is our surfboard guru. He has worked for the most renowned surf brands and shapers. His knowledge of handcrafting techniques is almost endless.

Did you know ? The game of chess has almost no secrets for him!

Axel

Originally from Le Mans, everything destined Axel to become a fan of motorsports ... But it was the discovery of surfing that was his real revelation!

After having worked for a surf major, it was finally at NOTOX that he decided to put his "digital marketing" skills to the service of the environment! 

Did you know ? Axel speaks Brazilian fluently.

Kaymon

Before coming to settle in the Basque Country, Kaymon lived all his childhood in India. Undisputed local on the spot of Serenity beach in the south-eastern part of the Indian peninsula, it quickly found its marks on the spots of the Basque coast. 

Sensitive to environmental issues, he wanted to go behind the curtain to make boards that better matched his values. 

Did you know ? He is also passionate about bicycle mechanics! 

Louise founder Notox surf Australia

Louise

Louise started out as an eco-tourism guide in Central Australia before setting up her own accounting business.

Then she made a trip to France, fell in love with the NOTOX brand. You know the rest! 

If you take a trip to Australia, you may be able to find her in the water at her local beach in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Did you know ? She made the round trip from Australia to France only to leave with KORKO boards!  

Benoit co-founder and shaper of Notox surf

Benoît

Benoît started out as an electronics technician, but above all has always been fascinated by surfboards and the art of shaping.

At 15, he spends all his free time learning how to shape beautiful surfboards from scratch. He tested all his boards himself, from the barrels of Hossegor to the mighty waves of the reef of Lafitenia.

Not much has changed since. His love of perfection and innovation in composites make him a highly respected shaper internationally.

Did you know ? He loves motorcycles and no-kill fishing!

Pierre co-founder and CEO of Notox surf

Pierre

Computer engineer and holder of a doctorate in robotics, Pierre worked for ten years with European leaders in mobile industrial robotics before founding NOTOX.

Pierre draws on his knowledge to create innovative and efficient alternative solutions, which respect both the health of shapers and the environment.

He imagines boards with remarkable performance and responsible manufacturing.

Did you know ? He is passionate about martial arts and metal music!

Laurent

His only dream was to build surfboards and he did. With nearly 25 years of experience, Laurent is our surfboard guru. He has worked for the most renowned surf brands and shapers. His knowledge of handcrafting techniques is almost endless.

Did you know ? The game of chess has almost no secrets for him!

Axel

Originally from Le Mans, everything destined Axel to become a fan of motorsports ... But it was the discovery of surfing that was his real revelation!

After having worked for a surf major, it was finally at NOTOX that he decided to put his "digital marketing" skills to the service of the environment! 

Did you know ? Axel speaks Brazilian fluently.

Kaymon

Before coming to settle in the Basque Country, Kaymon lived all his childhood in India. Undisputed local on the spot of Serenity beach in the south-eastern part of the Indian peninsula, it quickly found its marks on the spots of the Basque coast. 

Sensitive to environmental issues, he wanted to go behind the curtain to make boards that better matched his values. 

Did you know ? He is also passionate about bicycle mechanics! 

Louise founder Notox surf Australia

Louise

Louise started out as an eco-tourism guide in Central Australia before setting up her own accounting business.

Then she made a trip to France, fell in love with the NOTOX brand. You know the rest! 

If you take a trip to Australia, you may be able to find her in the water at her local beach in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Did you know ? She made the round trip Australia-France only to leave with Notox KORKO boards!  

Australia

A new part of the story began in 2015, bringing our innovative and eco-friendly surfboard technology to Australian shores. Because we don't want surfboards to go around the world before they get to the end customer, NOTOX surfboards are made in Australia for the Australian market.

Founder Notox Australia Linen Surfboard Greenone

Our actions for the environment

Bio-sourced materials, from recycling or from renewable resources

As you will have noticed, it is the natural raw materials that visually make our boards special.

The majority of boards on the market use fiberglass, the production of which consumes a lot of energy. With us, 80% of fiberglass is replaced by renewable and certified materials : like flax fibre, white beech or cork.

  • Oeko-Tex Standard 100 for flax, ensuring that it does not contain any substance harmful to health.
  • FSC for cork and white beech, ensuring that they come from sustainably managed forests.
  • Synthetic resin has given way to resin bio-sourced with more than 50% of material of vegetable origin.
  • Finally, 20 to 50% of the polystyrene (EPS) we use comes from recycling, a rate that we are constantly seeking to improve despite the constraint of a limited supply of recycled polystyrene.

Responsible procurement

Our boards are made in France in Anglet workshop, in the Basque Country. We source from a radius of 900 km, in order to reduce CO2 emissions generated by transport while contributing to the local economy.

  • Linen → North of France and Belgium. Carbon neutral suppliers since 2014.
  • Cork → South-West of France.
  • white beech → Comes from French forests 
  • EPS → Rhône Alpes and Nouvelle Aquitaine, France.
  • Bio-sourced resin → Brittany, and Bouches du Rhône, France.
  • Upcycled carbon fabrics → Loire Atlantique, France.
Notox surf map of the location of raw material supplies

Technological process

Instead of soaking the fibers with a large amount of resin, we apply a thin layer and then suck the air from the bag in which the board is located.

This assembly method under vacuum considerably reduces the amount of resin used while obtaining a more homogeneous result, for a double final benefit : a board lightened and solidified, and an considerable reduction of environmental impact.

Notox lab shape layering with vacuum

Waste reduction

75% of waste from our production are recycled, which leaves only 1kg of non-reprocessed waste per board produced: 

  • All polystyrene waste are collected by the company Knauf (labeled Uni'vert PSE) which recycle and reuse them as raw material in its factory in Casteljaloux.
  • The cork falls are recycled by our supplier, in the Landes, for the manufacture of panels.
  • The linen scraps are reused in the thermal insulation of homes. A double revaluation since they ultimately allow energy savings.  
cork leaf scraps recycling

Environmental impact

This is how we determine the lifecycle of a sustainable product.In 2013 we worked with support from ADEME on the environmental labeling experiment for consumer products.

Since then, we have been using this same methodology on our boards. To quantify the results of our sustainable production and compare them to those of a "classic" surfboard, we performed a life cycle analysis.

Environmental impact

This is how we determine the life cycle of a sustainable product. In 2013 we worked with support from ADEME on the environmental labeling experiment for consumer products.

Since then, we have been using this same methodology on our boards. To quantify the results of our sustainable production and compare them to those of a "classic" surfboard, we performed a life cycle analysis.

Un environmental impact score is calculated for every step of the cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to the end of the life of the board, including transport, energy, waste during production and delivery, as well as the use and repairs of the board.

result: thanks to our technologies, we reduce our environmental impact almost twice compared to a conventional board - made from polyurethane and polyester resin.

More precisely :

  • R-CARBON: impact divided by 2,4
  • KORKO: impact divided by 2
  • GREENFLEX: impact divided by 1,7
  • GREENONE: impact divided by 1,5
  • Recycled EPS: impact divided by 1,2

Un environmental impact score is calculated for every step of the cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to the end of the life of the board, including transport, energy, waste during production and delivery, as well as the use and repairs of the board.

result: thanks to our technologies, we reduce our environmental impact almost twice compared to a conventional board - made from polyurethane, fiberglass and polyester resin.

More precisely, impact East :

  • R-CARBON: split by 2,4
  • KORKO: split by 2
  • GREENFLEX: split by 1,7
  • GREENONE: split by 1,5
  • Recycled EPS: split by 1,2

More precisely :

  • R-CARBON: Environmental impact divided by 2,4
  • KORKO: Environmental impact divided by 2
  • GREENFLEX: Environmental impact divided by 1,7
  • GREENONE: Environmental impact divided by 1,5
  • Recycled EPS: Environmental impact divided by 1,2
graph of the environmental impact of Notox surfing technologies

Let's take an example: for 100 GREENONE boards in flax fiber produced ...

we save 2,3 tonnes of CO2

we divide By 2 consumption of non-renewable resources

we save 1842 liters of water

Transparency chart on Notox prices

Transparent prices

We are aware that our boards represent a real investment for you.

This is why we owe it to you to provide you with complete transparency how we use your money when you buy from us.

Financially, producing artisanally in France and integrating eco-responsible materials is a real challenge. But that's the price to pay to enroll in a new, more sober mode of production and consumption.

This is the path we have chosen to take since our beginnings; even if it means giving up an XXL margin!

Transparent prices

We are aware that our boards represent a real investment for you.

This is why we owe it to you to provide you with complete transparency how we use your money when you buy from us.

Financially, producing artisanally in France and integrating eco-responsible materials is a real challenge. But that's the price to pay to enroll in a new, more sober mode of production and consumption.

This is the path we have chosen to take since our beginnings; even if it means giving up an XXL margin!

The health of shapers

Traditional surfboard production exposes shapers for prolonged periods of time to toxic products, fine dust and the almost constant noise of tools, generating damage. serious health consequences long-term. This has led us to completely rethink our working environment with the help of occupational medicine:

  • Reduction of air pollution: individual cabins equipped with an efficient filtration system.
  • Noise reduction: personal protective equipment (ear muffs)
  • Alternatives to toxic cleaning products:  Substitution of acetone by non-volatile glycol derivatives.
  • Ergonomic and secure workspace: to fight against musculoskeletal disorders.
Surf shaper epoxy boards
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Drop element here

Adaptive surfing

We are also very proud to support disabled surfers, who are great athletes, full of positive energy.

By being open-minded, we are able to imagine solutions efficient and personalized to meet everyone's needs.

Share with them new technical approaches also helps us redefine our expertise on a daily basis.

Notox surfboards for people with disabilities

The ambassadors

They are part of the NOTOX family and carry our values ​​on a daily basis.

Lost in the swell

The Lost in the Swell Breton adventurous surfers

Lost in the swell

Aurel, Ronan and Ewen, form the magical trio of adventurers. The 3 Bretons with very strong backs travel the world in search of Eldorado: a little corner of paradise with perfect waves! 

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Clement Roseyro

Surf longboard competition Clément Roseyro

Clement Roseyro

A true accomplished waterman! Clément knows how to do everything: hurtle down the vertiginous slopes of the mythical Avalanche spot, perform hang ten in style or send solid tricks on a shortboard. 

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Louis marchiset

Louis marchiset

Louis marchiset

The Guéthariars is a longboard lover. With a relaxed style, he draws his curves with grace and skill. At the age of 19, he is already first in the French ranking in his category and is French Longboard champion in hope. More recently, he made his mark in foil and progressed at lightning speed! 

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Romain Maurin

Romain Maurin surfer and Notox ambassador

Romain Maurin

A few years ago, as a professional surfer, Romain obtained the title of European longboard champion. Today, it is with his family that he shares his passion for surfing. And in the water, it always sends!

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Elliot Coste

Eliott Cost backside surfing in the moors

Elliot Coste

Young Basque, Eliott never stops and is not shy! A true enthusiast of the marine environment, Eliott practices big wave riding, longboarding and shortboarding. If he sets a goal, it is better not to be in his way!

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Romain Maurin

A few years ago, as a professional surfer, Romain obtained the title of European longboard champion. Today, it is with his family that he shares his passion for surfing. And in the water, it always sends!

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Benoit Moreau

Surf bottom turn Benoit Moreau frontside

Benoit Moreau

If you go near the Cavaliers spot in Anglet, you will most certainly see it go off on all the bombs. The double vice-champion of France in para surfing and bronze medalist at the European championship has found his outlet in his determination to surf anything that moves!

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Lucie Curutchet

Lucie Curutchet

Lucie Curutchet

Surfer, skater and co-founder of the association SkateHer : it's not the caps that he lacks. An overflowing energy and above all a pleasure to live and share everything she does with others!

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Céline Rouillard

IMG_0641.jpg__PID:01647182-91cc-4031-a6f1-5e280c591863

Celine Rouillard

Born in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Céline Rouillard is a true champion. Despite her handicap, as a surfer, being confronted with the elements and the waves transforms her way of life! His bronze medal at the World Championship in California bears witness to this!

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