50 YEARS OF NEV

Since 1975, Nev Hyman has been at the forefront of surfboard innovation. With over 50 years of shaping experience, Nev's passion for surfboard design and relentless pursuit of progression have led to major advancements in shaping technologies and board construction—many of which are now standard across the global surf industry.

FROM GARAGE TO GLOBAL

Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, Nev shaped his first board at age 13 in his dad’s garage. After finishing high school, he co-founded Odyssey Surfboards with Phil Usher—turning his obsession with board design into a full-time career.

A few years later, Nev relocated to the Gold Coast, setting up his shaping bay in Burleigh Heads, and in 1980 launched Nev Future Shapes—quickly becoming the go-to shaper for elite surfers chasing progressive high-performance surfboards. His visionary designs and forward-thinking approach earned him a reputation as one of the most influential shapers of his generation.

PIONEERING THE FUTURE OF SURFBOARD DESIGN

Nev has always looked to the future. In the late 1980s, he was one of the first shapers to embrace computer-aided design and machine-based shaping—blending traditional craftsmanship with precision technology. This revolutionised the way boards were made, setting new benchmarks for consistency and performance across the industry.

By the 1990s, Nev Future Shapes was exporting boards around the world—becoming the first Australian surfboard brand to distribute at scale in the USA, Europe, Japan, and Brazil. His global reach, combined with cutting-edge design, helped reshape what was possible for surfboard brands at the time.

In 2005, Nev co-founded Firewire Surfboards, launching a new era of high-performance surfboards built with sustainability in mind. Firewire proved that eco-conscious materials and world-class design could coexist—and thrive—within modern surfing.

A RETURN TO THE CRAFT

Today, Nev has re-established Nev Future Shapes with a renewed focus on quality craftsmanship and fostering a direct connection with surfers. His mission remains the same—to build boards that maximise performance, while keeping the stoke alive.

TRUSTED BY GENERATIONS OF SURFERS

Nev’s boards have been trusted by some of the most iconic names in surfing. From the ‘80s to today, Nev has designed and shaped boards for an all-star lineup of surfers, including Shaun Tomson, Larry Bertleman, Ian Cairns, Rabbit Bartholomew, Ketut Menda, Martin Potter, Munga Barry, Christian Fletcher, Sunny Garcia, Wendy Botha, Dean Morrison, Dave Rastovich, Danny Wills, Joel Parkinson, Mark Occhilupo, Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning, Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Bruce Irons, Michel Bourez, Sally Fitzgibbons, Jamie O'Brien, Filipe Toledo, Jack Robinson, and many more.

Across five decades, Nev has worked with more ASP/WSL surfers than any other shaper in the world—cementing his status as a true pioneer and trusted name in high-performance surfboard design.

BUILT FOR PERFORMANCE & PURE STOKE

At Nev Future Shapes, every board is made to order—shaped with precision and backed by over 50 years of experience. Nev blends timeless shaping principles with modern performance elements to create boards that deliver unmatched speed, drive and flow.

Whether you're surfing your local break or chasing swell across the Indonesian archipelago, your next board from Nev Future Shapes is guaranteed to amplify your stoke.

Every board shaped at our Bali HQ is built to perform in Indonesia’s world-class waves, and is a testament to Nev’s proven surfboard designs and commitment to innovation.

👉 Explore the board range here

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