About Us...
Profile
In 1982, Portugal was a surfer's dream, and Ericeira was a mystical surf trip destination for all surfers due to the quality and rawness of its surf. It was during this time that Nick Uricchio and Miguel Katzenstein created Semente Surfboards. The choice of where to locate the factory was simple: where is the best surf? Ericeira, more specifically above one of the best right-hand breaks in Europe, Coxos. In the beginning, surfing and the passion for surfboard design and manufacturing were the driving forces behind the partners. The name Semente (Seed) was chosen and represents the foundation of a project that would grow and flourish in the future.
In the early days, the partners' geographical choice was a disadvantage, as Ericeira had a very small surfing population; most customers were from the Lisbon area or the Cascais coastline. There were few cars and the roads were terrible, so visits from potential customers were rare. As time passed and word spread, Ericeira and the Semente factory began to experience a strong influx of surfers from both Portugal and abroad. Other major surf brands began to open shops in the area with the same intention that Nick and Miguel had in '82: to surf the best waves in Portugal.
Semente Surfboards' involvement and dedication to the design and manufacture of surfboards has had a huge impact on Portuguese surfing. Professional and amateur surfers from all over the world have already knocked on Semente's door, and the brand has worked with the best Portuguese surfers since day one.
The constant evolution of surfboards, both in design and material, has kept Semente Surfboards at the forefront and allowed it to build a bridge from generation to generation.
Ericeira is now recognized as one of the surfing Meccas in Europe, and Semente has been here from the beginning. Miguel and Nick are partners to this day, and both are grateful to everyone who made this journey possible.
The roots of the original Seed are deep.
Shaper
Nick Uricchio was born in 1958 in West Hartford, Connecticut.
He started surfing in California when he was 15 and traveled to Europe in 1978 when he fell in love with Portugal. In 1979 he returned to stay. Together with Nuno Jonet, Nick started manufacturing skateboards in Lisbon. In 1980 he moved to Costa de Caparica and, together with António Pereira Caldas, created one of the first surfboard factories, Lipsticks Surfboards.
©FranciscoSalgueiro
©FranciscoSalgueiro
©FranciscoSalgueiro
In 1982, Nick and his good friend Miguel Katzenstein went to Ribamar, Ericeira, with the intention of "planting" a new surfboard brand in the market, hence the name Semente (Seed). The choice of location for the factory is what many consider to be the mecca of surfing in Portugal. The quality of the waves and the constant contact with excellent surfers and shapers over the years honed Nick's shaping skills. His own surfing experience, as well as feedback from a solid team of surfers, allowed Semente to meet the needs of national and international surfers over the years. Nick has worked with the best Portuguese surfers throughout his career; the list of national champions is long, and Semente Surfboards has seen great results from surfers using their boards in the World Junior Tour, QS, and CT. In 2015, Nick Uricchio was voted "Shaper of the Year" at the first "Ondas de Ouro Surf Awards" in Portugal.
All Semente surfboards are designed by Nick Uricchio, and he's comfortable making any type of board you need. His philosophy has always been to keep things on a personal level between shaper and surfer, and he has no plans to change that.