Up until 1956, hollow ply finless toothpicks spanning sixteen feet were the widespread form of surfboards in Australia.

The Melbourne Olympic Games, later dubbed the Surf Olympics introduced Balsa wood boards to Australia, brought into the country for demonstration events. These lighter more agile boards were shorter than the familiar toothpicks of the time, measuring around 9' 6".

The late Fifties sparked exponential growth for surf culture and were the dawn of foam technology and the popularity of the wetsuit. Wooden surfboards were cast aside for lightweight space age materials. Fifty years on, the wood revival is here.

Empress Surfboards was formed in early 2006 by Graham Tonkin & Peter McMahon. The company is based on Queensland's Gold Coast (Australia), one of the greatest surf spots in the world, an ideal location and climate for year round board testing and development.

Being both business partners and brothers in law Peter & Graham's combined experience in the fields of woodwork, carpentry and boatbuilding prompted initial experimentation, development and production of a new form of wooden surfboard: a work of art, example of outstanding craftsmanship that also outperforms other wooden boards in the surf.