Surfplugs® were developed in 2003 by UK based Audiologist & Surfer, Rob Shaddick, following his own Surfers Ear problems. Surfplugs® are a completely custom moulded hand made earplug designed for an ultimate fit & prevention of Surfers Ear & infection. Surfplugs® are available worldwide, all you need to do is send us your ear impressions.
Keeping our footprint small, all our hand made Surfplugs are custom made in our home village of Copplestone, Devon.
We hold a negative mould of your ear shape on file for 3 years so you can order duplicate Surfplugs® at discounted prices. Postage is FREE worldwide on all first orders (remakes at discounted prices P&P Free UK only) & our service is based on both quality & speed.
SURFERS
Surfplugs® are a custom moulded ear plug developed for surfers. Surfplugs® help to prevent Surfers Ear & infections by keeping your ears snug and toasty even in the heaviest of surf.
KAYAKERS & CANOEISTS
Rolling & white water kayaking in colder water temperatures is enough to develop Surfers Ear. Surfplugs® will also assist in reducing the risk of ear infection associated with poor river water quality.
WINDSURFERS
Surfers Ear is caused both by cold water & the effect of wind blowing over the surface of the ear. Windsurfers are particulalry prone to Surfers Ear problems. Surfplugs®provide the ultimate solution.
KITESURFERS
Surfplugs® provide the ultimate defence from wind & water entering the ear canal & will also reduce the risk of eardrum perforation (rupture) from water impacts associated with the sport of kitesurfing.
SWIMMERS
Surfplugs® are suitable for heated pools & all types of open water swimming. Surfplugs® will assist in preventing ear infections & ‘swimmers ear’ (ear canal inflammation).
WAKEBOARDERS
Surfplugs® reduce the risk of developing ear infections from dirty river water & also help to prevent eardrum perforations (rupture) caused by hitting the water at speed.
DIVERS
Due to the problems of equalising, Surfplugs® are NOT recommended for SCUBA diving or free diving & should NOT be used for this type of sport.
The Development of Surfplugs
Well I suppose at some point you need to know who started Surfplugs. it was Rob Shaddick, Devon boy, Surfer, Surfers Ear Sufferer, Previous NHS Audiologist & Surfplugs developer. The problems with developing a Surfplug for surfing & watersports is finding a product that stays in. There are many products out there in Surf Shops but most end up falling out of your ears, clogging up the oceans or spending eternity rotting in the bottom of your wetsuit bin. Off the shelf earplugs will fit if you have a ‘standard’ ear but what about when Surfers ear has started to progress, or you have that awkward shaped ear or you just want the ultimate fit on the market
I started experiementing with surfers ear protection in 2003. After several products & process changes I was happy that I had developed a product that worked for me. From that initial experiment I made a few samples for local surfers & Surfplugs as a business was accidently born.
Surfplugs are different & more advanced from off the shelf products & that is reflected in their price – they do stay in & much of that is because we use the natural folds of the outer ear shape (pinna) as well as the ear canal (meatus), the bulking process that we undertake during manufacture & the type of ‘grippy’ lacquer that we finish the Surfplugs with to assist in adhereing to the skin layers against the ear. We do fit a leash as standard but this is done reluctantly & is in response to the demands from people who feel they needed a leash (rather than actually needing one) – I think that makes sense?
Well I would say that the Surfplugs is the best protection against surfers ear on the market but I suppose that when I tell you that we have over 1000 surfers wearing Surfplugs (2011) & that every sale has been by word of mouth then you can make your own decision, hell, we even have Doctors recommending Surfplugs & you can read plenty of testimonials on this site & many of the forums out there.
There must be a reason why surfers and watersports enthusiasts worldwide are recommending Surfplugs for surfers ear protection – perhaps it’s time you found out too! (photo courtesy of Chris Stevens)