Circle One: A Surfing Heritage Brand Since 1969
From Devon workshop to pioneering British surf brand
1960s – Chasing Waves
Jeff Townsley discovered surfing as a teenager in the 1960s, spending long summer evenings riding the waves at North Devon’s iconic beaches—Croyde, Saunton, Woolacombe, and Putsborough. Weekends took him further west to Cornwall, exploring breaks around Newquay and Bude, as well as hidden gems along the Atlantic coast.
His passion quickly grew beyond the UK. Saving every penny, Jeff bought a VW split-screen campervan and set off across Europe and Africa with a small crew of friends. From the classic waves of France, Spain, and Portugal to the rugged coastlines of the Canary Islands and Morocco, he surfed, explored, and absorbed the cultures along the way.
These travels lit the spark that would drive Jeff’s lifelong dedication to surfing—and eventually inspire the creation of Circle One.
Jeff Townsley (on the left), Circle One founder, and Surfing Buddies - 1960’s, Morocco
Jeff ‘in the pocket’ off Playa de Las Americas, late 60’s, Canary Islands
1969 – The Beginning
Circle One started life in Exeter, when our founder and shaper Jeff Townsley took over the original Circle One surf shop. Jeff soon began hand-shaping boards, experimenting with designs inspired by US surf culture, and building a reputation for craftsmanship and innovation.
1970s – Innovation & Collaboration
In a small Exeter shaping bay, Jeff created distinctive designs like the stinger-wing swallow tail and the twin-fin egg, purpose-built for Britain’s surf. His work attracted attention worldwide, leading to collaborations with shapers including Australian surf legend Peter Drouyn.
“Jeff was a prolific and creative shaper in the 70’s and produced some really beautiful and sometimes unusual looking boards”
Alasdair Lindsay, Blogger/Contributor, vintagesurfboardcollector.uk
Jeff in the Exeter Shaping Room - 1971
Jeff laminating one of his signature Wooden Fins
Circle One Shop advert featuring Peter Drouyn, 1979
1980s – Wetsuits and the Windsurfing Boom
The 1980s marked a turning point as Circle One expanded into wetsuit design and manufacture. Just as with surfboards, Jeff applied his hands-on approach to create durable, high-performance wetsuits tailored for cold British waters. Circle One became one of the first authentic UK surf brands to offer both surfboards and wetsuits under one name—building trust and loyalty with surfers nationwide.
Jeff in the wetsuit cutting room - early 1980's
As windsurfing exploded in popularity, Circle One became the first UK brand to hand-shape custom windsurf boards, selling thousands across Britain and Europe. Jeff’s striking spray designs and performance-focused shapes set the brand apart and inspired a new wave of riders.
Selection of classic 80's Circle One windsurf designs
1990s – The Epoxy Breakthrough
Always seeking better performance, Jeff pioneered the switch from polyester to epoxy resin. Lighter, stronger, and more responsive, epoxy boards redefined surfboard construction. By 1999, all Circle One boards were epoxy—a bold move soon imitated by other manufacturers.
Early epoxy Circle One surfboard, 8′ 6 Longboard Round Tail with stripe graphic
2000s – Global Growth
With UK production costs rising, Circle One moved manufacturing to China, with Jeff personally overseeing every stage to preserve quality. Collaborations with iconic shapers like Larry Bertlemann and Tak Kawahara brought fresh ideas and refined techniques, cementing Circle One’s reputation for innovation.
Jeff supervises Winnie in the shaping room to ensure our exacting standards of manufacture, Circa 2016
👉 Learn more about our manufacturing process
2010s–2020s – Expanding Horizons
Circle One evolved beyond surfboards and wetsuits to create bodyboards, skimboards, SUPs and accessories—all designed with the same no-compromise approach to quality and performance.
Today & Tomorrow
Now in his 70s, Jeff remains active in the water and continues to guide production with the Circle One team. His journey from Devon teenager to pioneering surfboard shaper has inspired generations, and his legacy lives on in a brand that continues to be authentic, trustworthy, and inspiring.
