The VUDU Way
The ocean has shaped my life in more ways than I ever imagined.
Surfing has taken me to remarkable places, introduced me to lifelong friends, and taught me that there is always something new to learn. It has challenged me, humbled me, and rewarded me in ways that are difficult to put into words.
When I opened VUDU Surf in Woodstock in 2000, my goal was never simply to build surfboards or sell wetsuits. I wanted to create a place where people could walk in, ask questions, share stories, receive honest advice, and leave excited about their next surf.
Over the years, that vision has grown into something much bigger than one person. Today, I’m fortunate to work alongside Jeremy Fowkes, who has shaped VUDU Surfboards since the very beginning, and Sia Ngeni, our trusted glasser and sander, together with an experienced workshop team who take pride in every board and every repair.
We’ve been privileged to help surfers of all ages and abilities find equipment that truly suits their surfing. Every board we’ve built, every repair we’ve completed, and every conversation we’ve shared has added to our understanding of the ocean, surfboards, and the people who ride them.
That curiosity extends far beyond riding waves. It lives in surfboard design, shaping, machine cutting, hand-finishing, glassing, repairs, custom spray designs, artwork, wetsuit fitting, photography, branding, and the many crafts that help people enjoy more time in the ocean.
Every custom surfboard is an opportunity to create something unique. From subtle resin tints and pinlines to one-of-a-kind spray designs and artwork, we work with each surfer to create a board that not only performs beautifully but also reflects their own personality and style.
Because we don’t simply build surfboards.
We help people keep surfing.
Every Surfer Is Different
One of the greatest lessons surfing has taught me is that there are very few perfect answers.
Almost everything in surfing is a balance.
A lighter surfboard may feel more responsive, while a stronger one may last longer. A highly flexible wetsuit offers incredible comfort, while a more durable one may give you many more seasons in the water. One beach can be blown out by an onshore wind while another, just a few kilometres away, is clean and offshore.
Surfing constantly reminds us that every choice is a trade-off.
The same is true when choosing equipment.
Every surfer is different. Every wave is different. Every stage of life brings different goals, abilities and challenges. What works well for one person may not be the right choice for someone else.
That’s why I’ve never believed in simply selling someone a surfboard.
I believe in listening first.
By understanding your experience, the waves you surf, your height, weight, fitness, goals and budget, we can help you find the equipment that best suits you and your surfing.
Finding the right equipment isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about understanding the choices, the compromises, and what will help you enjoy your time in the ocean the most.
Whether you’re catching your very first wave, returning to surfing after years away, chasing better performance, or simply wanting to enjoy every session a little more, our goal is always the same:
We help people
keep surfing.
CRAFTED IN CAPE TOWN
A surfboard begins long before resin touches fibreglass.
It begins with conversations, ideas, experience and an understanding of the waves it will be ridden in. Every curve, every rail, every rocker and every detail is there for a reason.
At VUDU, we’re fortunate to have worked alongside Jeremy Fowkes since the very beginning. His experience as a shaper, together with the skill and care of our workshop team, has helped shape the boards and reputation we’ve built over the years.
Using proven local designs, every VUDU Surfboard is precision machine-cut before being carefully hand-finished, glassed, sanded and inspected in our Woodstock factory. Combining modern technology with traditional craftsmanship allows us to build boards consistently while still giving every surfboard the individual attention it deserves.
The same care extends beyond shaping. From custom spray designs and artwork to quality repairs and restorations, we believe every board that passes through our factory should leave with the attention to detail we’d expect for our own.
Craftsmanship isn’t just about making surfboards.
It’s about taking pride in the work, respecting the materials, and building equipment that people can trust every time they paddle out.
More Than Surfboards
While surfboards remain at the heart of VUDU Surf, we’ve grown into a complete surf store for the whole surfing family.
From kids’ wetsuits to premium adult wetsuits, our own VUDU range, quality second-hand equipment, trade-ins, accessories and trusted repairs, we help surfers of every age and ability get into the water with the right equipment.
As our surfing community has grown, so have we. Every addition to the shop has come from listening to what surfers need, whether it’s a first wetsuit, a replacement leash, a quality second-hand board, or bringing a favourite surfboard back to life through repairs.
We’re proud to have been O’Neill stockists for more than 15 years, building lasting relationships with brands we trust and with customers who know they’ll always receive honest advice, personal service and equipment that genuinely suits their needs.
At the end of the day, it has never been about selling more products.
It’s about helping more people keep surfing.
Why Choose VUDU?
Choosing a surfboard, wetsuit or even where to have a repair done is about more than the product itself. It’s about knowing you’re receiving honest advice from people who genuinely care about your surfing.
At VUDU, we’ve never tried to be everything to everyone. We’ve simply tried to create a place where surfers feel welcome, where questions are encouraged, and where long-term relationships matter more than making a quick sale.
Many of the people who first walked through our doors as beginners now return with their own children. Others are still riding VUDU surfboards years after we first met. Those relationships are something we’ll never take for granted.
If you choose VUDU, we hope it’s because you value experience, craftsmanship, honest advice and people who genuinely want to help you enjoy your time in the ocean.
Helping people keep surfing
Our Guiding Principles
Over the years, surfing has taught us far more than how to ride waves. It has shaped the way we live, work and treat others. These are the principles that continue to guide VUDU.
Work hard. Surf hard. Make time for the things that matter.
Be honest and fair. Treat people with respect, and always try to do the right thing.
Laugh often. Life is too short not to enjoy it.
Stay young at heart. Age is just a number. The ocean has an incredible way of keeping the spirit alive.
Get in the water whenever you can. The ocean has a remarkable ability to recharge, revitalise and put life back into perspective.
Never stop learning. Try a different board, a different wave or a new challenge. Every surf teaches you something.
Share the stoke. Encourage beginners, celebrate others and help grow our surfing community.
Protect the spirit of surfing. Respect the traditions of our sport, know your place in the lineup, respect those who came before you, encourage beginners, and help pass on the knowledge, stories and heritage of surfing to future generations.
Look after the ocean. Pick up rubbish, respect our beaches and leave every place better than you found it.
Believe in people. Great teams, strong friendships and lasting relationships are built on trust and encouragement.
Be grateful. Clean air, clean water, exercise and time in nature are some of life’s greatest gifts.
Surfing doesn’t just teach us how to ride waves. It teaches us respect—for the ocean, for one another and for ourselves.
These aren’t rules. They’re simply the values that have shaped VUDU since the beginning, and we hope they come through in every surfboard we build, every repair we complete and every person who walks through our doors.
Keep Surfing.
come for a VISIT !
Whether you’re looking for your first surfboard, your next custom shape, a quality repair, or simply want to talk surfing, we’d love to welcome you into the shop.
Browse one of Cape Town’s largest selections of new and quality pre-owned surfboards, explore the factory, see the Rolling Retro Collection and experience The VUDU Way for yourself.
