THUNDERBOLT TECHNOLOGY
About
Our Mission
Thunderbolt Technologies stands out for its innovative conception of surfboard construction. Each board is hand-shaped using a combination of classic craftsmanship and cutting-edge techniques, designed to maximize flex, strength, and performance. Incorporating materials like carbon fiber and vacuum-bagging processes, we create boards that excel both in feel and durability.
Here’s a closer look at the technology behind them…
Our Technology
THUNDERBOLT BLACK / MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE
Carbon Fiber hand Lamination
High performance Weight & Flex
Hand-Crafted
Thunderbolt Black is our lightest and most performance-driven construction. Laminated with carbon fiber, it offers rapid rebound and added durability without extra weight. The Thunderbolt black blank internally includes fiberglass flex components and is hand-laminated with 6oz carbon fiber and 2oz fiberglass on both sides. Highly responsive and lightweight, Thunderbolt Black is ideal for surfers looking to push performance while maintaining speed, control, and durability across diverse conditions.
THUNDERBOLT RED / ALL AROUND PERFORMANCE
Fiberglass hand Lamination
performance Weight & Flex
Hand-Crafted
Thunderbolt Red was our original technology, built to perform smoothly every kind of waves. The Red blank features internal carbon fiber flex components, hand-laminated with 6oz and 2oz fiberglass cloth on both the deck and bottom. Offering a medium rebound, it delivers a versatile, user-friendly, and highly predictable feel. Thunderbolt Red is perfect for surfers seeking balanced performance and reliability in a wide range of waves.
THUNDERBOLT SILVER / TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCE
Fiberglass hand Lamination
Traditional Weight & performance Flex
Hand-Crafted
Thunderbolt Silver offers a balanced blend of traditional feel, flex, and durability. The Silver blank features fiberglass internal flex components, hand-laminated with 6oz and 2oz fiberglass cloth on both sides. While it delivers the most traditional feel in our range, its enhanced flex pushes performance far beyond that of any standard PU board. Thunderbolt Silver is versatile, predictable, and suited for a wide range of conditions and skill levels. If you love the classic PU feel but want elevated performance, this construction is the perfect choice.
Our Blanks
All Thunderbolt surfboards begin with a premium EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) foam core blank. This lightweight, buoyant material—made from fused bead-like pellets—enhances paddling ease, maneuverability, and responsiveness.
Unlike traditional surfboards with wooden stringers, Thunderbolt boards use advanced carbon fiber or fiberglass elements to control flex, stiffness, and strength. Integrated directly into the blank, these flex components are what set Thunderbolt apart, replicating the feel of a classic board while boosting performance and response. Each model is engineered with specific flex characteristics tailored to various styles, skill levels, and conditions.
From high-performance shortboards to timeless longboards, every shape is designed to maximize the benefits of Thunderbolt’s construction. Depending on the chosen technology—Black, Red, or Silver—our boards feature flex components laid out in A-beam, V-beam, or T-stringer configurations. These internal structures are the core of our design philosophy, delivering the signature flex and performance Thunderbolt is known for.
Lamination process
Thunderbolt incorporates fiberglass, carbon fiber, and other composites in its lamination process. Carbon fiber, famous for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, enhances durability without adding unnecessary weight or stiffness. Our boards are often vacuum-bagged during lamination, ensuring even resin distribution and precise target weights. This technique also reduces inconsistencies, delivering more uniform flex and performance across models. Despite their lightweight build, Thunderbolt boards are renowned for their durability. Thanks to advanced materials and meticulous craftsmanship, they can handle the demands of extreme surfing. Nothing performs - or lasts - like a Thunderbolt.
Our Builders
Mr Yu Sumitomo (head designer)
Tokyo Japan. 40 years surfboard building.
Local surf spot Chiba
Yu Sumitomo, a master surfboard designer from Tokyo, Japan, is known for fusing traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation. Celebrated for his ability to balance performance and durability, his boards are favored by both pros and dedicated surf enthusiasts. Through his work with Thunderbolt Technologies, Sumitomo has helped redefine surfboard construction, integrating advanced materials and flex systems to elevate strength, responsiveness, and overall performance.
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Mr Masaru Nagasaka (polisher)
Tokyo Japan. 42 years building boards.
Local surf spot Shizuoka
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Mr Shun Sumitomo (head laminator- air brush)
Tokyo Japan. 25 years building boards.
Local surf spot Chiba
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Mr Sumio Kato (laminator)
Tokyo Japan. 30 years building boards.
Local surf spot Ibaragi
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Mr Atsushi Kato (head shaper)
Tokyo Japan. 25 years building boards
Local surf spot Shonan
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Mr Ryuji Mihara (master sander- shaper )
Ooita Japan. 34 years building boards.
Local surf spot Chiba