Built by Hand. Driven by Balance.
Norst began with a wave, a sketch, and a simple idea — to bring the rhythm of board sports back into everyday life through craft, movement, and design.
Discover how one handmade board sparked a global movement in balance, flow, and freedom.
A Founder's Tale — The Norst Story
The Doodle That Started It All
It all started with a doodle — a small sun and wave sketched absentmindedly on a notepad during a slow office day.
Back then, I was working in PR — suits, press releases, software clients. A long way from the salt, spray, and chaos that had shaped my teens.
That doodle pulled me back. I missed the culture, the camaraderie, and the feeling that a day could be measured not in meetings, but in rides, tricks, and tides.
So, I did what I’ve always done when something felt off — I started building.
The Early Days — T-Shirts, Snapbacks & A Mission to Ride More
In 2015, I launched Norst — not as a business, but as a project to reconnect with movement and the outdoors.
I spent my first paycheck on T-shirts and snapbacks, started a small Instagram account, and filled it with photos of my mates chasing waves, trails, and sunsets.
There was no strategy — just a message: don’t grow out of adventure.
And people got it. From kitesurfers on the south coast to snowboarders in British Columbia, we traded stories, shared gear, and built an authentic community — one rooted in motion, creativity, and connection.
The Turning Point — Sawdust and Balance
Everything changed in 2021.
In the run-up to a surf trip to Thailand, frustrated by flat conditions on England’s east coast, I started experimenting with ways to train my balance on land. Using leftover workshop materials, I built a rough prototype to mimic the movement of a board underfoot.
At first, I fell straight off. Then I got back on. Within half an hour, I could feel my balance improving — faster than I’d imagined.
That moment changed everything.
It wasn’t about the materials; it was about the motion. The rhythm. The feeling of connection between body and board.
That early experiment became the foundation for what Norst would become — a way to bring the flow of the ocean to everyday life.
We're not chasing investors. We're chasing experience.
Craft Meets Culture
From the beginning, I wanted our boards to be more than training tools — they needed to be beautiful.
Something you’d want to keep in your living room, not hide in the garage.
I drew inspiration from my dad, a carpenter and joiner who built hand-shaped birch mirrors — small pieces of functional art.
That influence ran deep. I chose birch plywood for its strength and warmth, and cork for its grip, sustainability, and natural feel — inspired by surf trips to Portugal.
The combination felt right: natural, tactile, and timeless. A board that connected form and function — balance and beauty.
The Moment of Validation
A few years later, an email arrived from a journalist claiming to be from WIRED Magazine. I assumed it was spam. It wasn’t.
They wanted to feature Norst in their Health & Wellness issue.
When the article went live, everything shifted. Orders started coming in from around the world — including one from a well-known founder whose own brand had inspired me years before.
That moment didn’t feel like “making it.” It felt like confirmation — that staying true to the process, to craft, and to patience had been worth it.
Trusted by Riders. Featured by the Best.
From garage workshops to global recognition — Norst has been featured in leading wellness and lifestyle publications and trusted by riders worldwide.
WIRED Magazine
Named one of the Best Wellness Gear Picks — handcrafted for surf training, rehab, and real-world balance.
Box End Wake Park
A beautifully crafted balance board that brings surf training home.
Colchester Climbing Centre
The perfect tool for building core strength and improving balance.
★★★★★
"A beautifully crafted balance board that blends sustainability with performance — Norst has turned surf training into a piece of functional art."
— Chris H
★★★★★
"The perfect tool for balance, control, and everyday movement — feels like bringing the ocean home."
— Josh
★★★★★
"A handcrafted board that actually makes you want to move."
— Sean D
Nature in Motion — The Future of Norst
We’re exploring new ways to work with nature — experimenting with natural pigments, locally sourced materials, and sustainable craft. Because for us, connection to the earth isn’t a trend — it’s where Norst began.
Every board we make is built to last — designed to repair, not replace — crafted for those who believe performance should age with purpose.
From hand-foraged flower pigments to renewable cork and birch ply, every surface, edge, and layer reflects our belief that true balance starts with respect for the planet.
Made by hand. Made to move. Made to last.
Join the Norst Movement
Ride with us. Discover balance, adventure, and purpose — from the lineup to your living room.
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We're not here to compete with big brands. We're here to make things that feel human — that remind people what it's like to create, to move, and to connect.
Built for balance. Made for life.
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