Collection: Shop Thunderbolt Surfboards

Collapsible content

 What is THUNDERBOLT TECHNOLOGY?

Mark Nelson founded Carve Sports, Inc. / VERITAS SURFCRAFT in 2014. Since that time, Mark and his team have partnered with Yu Sumitomo of Thunderbolt Technologies, and elite longboard surfers including CJ Nelson, Harley Ingleby, and Ben Skinner.

Together with their shapers, this team has created exceptional lineups of high performance and classic longboards and fun shapes and established distribution of their boards in most major surf markets around the world.

Brands include CJ Nelson Designs, Harley Ingleby Series by Tolhurst Surfboards, SkinDog Surfboards, and Flying Diamonds Fins. With so much history and tradition under his roof, you’d think Mark would be a throw-back, but he’s actually one of the most progressive forward-thinkers in the longboard world, and one of the first to utilize the revolutionary Thunderbolt technology.

 

Mark met Yu Sumitomo, creator of Thunderbolt Technologies when he was researching alternative surfboard construction. He looked at a lot of different construction options and toured a number of factories, and didn’t find anything close to Yu san’s boards in terms of quality and performance. When they met in 2014, Yu san was already making high-performance longboards with earlier generations of the Thunderbolt construction for some of the top professional surfers in the world. The flex and rebound characteristics of his boards were simply on a different level in terms of responsiveness, and they proved to be very durable as compared to traditional board-building materials.

“There is no question in my mind that Thunderbolt Technologies produces the liveliest, best-performing longboards available. All of my dedicated boards are built with Yu-San’s tech. When it comes time to perform, I wouldn’t even consider riding anything else.” – Harley Ingleby

With Thunderbolt Technologies blanks, the internal flex control components can be adjusted to provide the amount of flex needed in each part of the board. The boards essentially get designed from the inside out based on what the surfers and designers want. The boards are 100% hand layups, which makes a high level of custom tuning possible, with each model and size built with its own unique flex control system. Once these hand-built blanks are finished, they can be laminated with a variety of materials ranging from XEON Fiberglass to carbon fiber.

 

 

 

 

3 CONSTRUCTION TYPES

BLACK | RED | SILVER

THUNDERBOLT TECHNOLOGY SURFBOARDS THUNDERBOLT BLACK

 

CHECK OUT SURFBOARDS IN THUNDERBOLT BLACK CONSTRUCTION

 

THUNDERBOLT TECHNOLOGY SURFBOARDS HAWAII THUNDERBOLT RED 

 

CHECK OUT SURFBOARDS IN THUNDERBOLT RED CONSTRUCTION 

THUNDERBOLT TECHNOLOGY SURFBOARDS HAWAII THUNDERBOLT SILVER

 

CHECK OUT SURFBOARDS IN THUNDERBOLT SILVER CONSTRUCTION

 

THUNDERBOLT TECHNOLOGIES

 Technology that combines specifically engineered design elements with futuristic materials, producing longboards that lead the industry in performance, flex characteristics, strength, durability, and lightweight construction.

WHAT HSS CUSTOMERS SAYS ABOUT THESE BOARDS: 

Thunderbolt Technologies Thunderbolt Technologies Thunderbolt Technologies

 

How do Thunderbolt surfboards compare with traditional longboard materials in terms of performance and durability?

Thunderbolt surfboards utilize advanced construction techniques that significantly enhance both performance and durability compared to traditional longboard materials. The use of an EPS foam core reinforced with carbon fiber rods (stringers) and wrapped in a fiberglass shell ensures a board that is not only lightweight but also extremely durable. This construction offers a lively feel and precision that traditional polyurethane foam and polyester resin boards cannot match, providing surfers with an improved surfing experience. 

Thunderbolt Surfboards: Answering Your Top Questions

What are the performance differences between the Thunderbolt Black, Red, and Silver constructions?

  • Thunderbolt Black is designed for performance-oriented surfing, ideal for bigger and stronger waves. It's the lightest and stiffest option, offering quick responsiveness due to its carbon fiber components
  • Thunderbolt Red strikes a balance between traditional and advanced performance, suitable for a wide range of wave sizes. It features a fiberglass and epoxy build, ensuring a dynamic and lightweight feel
  • Thunderbolt Silver offers a classic longboarding feel with enhanced response, making it heavier and more suitable for traditional styles. It's designed for small wave, old-school log riding. 

How does the construction of Thunderbolt surfboards affect their durability and longevity?

Thunderbolt surfboards are built with durability in mind. The multi-layer construction provides enhanced protection against dings and damage, making them more durable than traditional surfboards. While no surfboard is indestructible, Thunderbolt boards are designed to last many years with proper care. 

CJ Nelson Surfboard

Which Thunderbolt construction is best for my surfing style and wave conditions?

Thunderbolt Black is ideal for surfers looking for performance in powerful waves, especially those over 190 pounds. 

Thunderbolt Black

Thunderbolt Red is versatile, perfect for everyday waves and surfers who desire a balance between speed and traditional feel. 

Thunderbolt Red

Thunderbolt Silver is best for surfers who prefer a traditional longboarding experience on small waves. 

Thunderbolt Silver


Thunderbolt vs. Tuflite Construction

When comparing Thunderbolt to Tuflite constructions, several key differences emerge:

Durability: Thunderbolt constructions, while very durable and offering a great feel underfoot, may not be as indestructible as Tuflite. However, they are still considered highly durable and capable of lasting many years with proper care.

Performance Feel: Thunderbolt surfboards provide a more lively and responsive feel compared to Tuflite boards. Users have reported that Thunderbolt boards make Tuflite feel somewhat numb in comparison, indicating a significant difference in the surfing experience. 

Weight Variations: Depending on the specific Thunderbolt construction (Black, Red, Silver), the weight can vary, with some being lighter and others heavier than Tuflite boards. This variation allows surfers to choose a board that best suits their style and the wave conditions they prefer. 

In summary, while Tuflite boards are known for their durability, Thunderbolt surfboards offer a unique combination of durability, performance, and a range of constructions to suit different surfing styles and conditions. The choice between Thunderbolt and Tuflite will largely depend on individual preferences regarding feel, performance, and durability

SHOP THUNDERBOLT SURFBOARDS NOW

20 products