THUNDERBOLT SURFBOARDS 2025 PREVIEW
Retail Buyers Guide: Surfboards 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: THUNDERBOLT
Interviewee: Remi Chaussemiche, Marketing Director Sample N’CO
If you were to draw a quick assessment of 2024, how would you describe the current state of the surfboard market?
In 2024, the surfboard market remained tough, retailers relayed on the biggest labels and stayed relatively conservative on their offer. It was the first year for us with Thunderbolt and we were positively surprised by the demand. Shops were pretty confident in the product and the product were definitely selling threw. Even though this is a high-end positioning, the technology, designs and marketing stands apart and reply to some surfers demand.
We see a resurgence of a trend consisting of (literally) no-name brand, with boards retailing at very aggressive prices (under 300 €). Are you concerned by this recurring phenomenon?
With Thunderbolt we are definitely not competing with those brands. We offer an all-different technology and shapes designed and approved by highly influent surfers such as Kais Sallas, CJ Nelson, Harley Ingleby or Ben Skinner. We offer performant design, durable and light. We potiooned ourselves in the higher end bracket of the market.
The good news in the surfboard market is that sales are quite evenly spread between very different designs (perf shortboards, summer boards, midlengths, longboards, beginner funboards), unlike other activities which rely on a single design. Did you adapt your range to offer a mixed bag of boards or do you rather specialize in one segment?
For the moment Thunderbolt focuses on alternatives but performant designs, mostly longer boards mid length, longboards and eggs, easy to use and to perform on. We proposed different collections embracing the style of riding of the surfer we collaborate with. CJ Nelson : the collection is composed of 4 classic longboards shapes, 3 performance longboards and 4 Midlength boards. All developed by surfer CJ Nelson in collaboration with shapers Ryan Engle (mostly, Ian Ghisholm and Darius Gross) Kai Sallas : a modern Log, 2 Classic logs, a performance longboard, and an Egg compose this collection. Ben Skinner’s collection is composed of 1 mid-length, 1 ggg and 4 longboards, 1 traditional log shape, 2 moddern nose riders and a performance shape inspired from the Herbie Fletcher approach. Harley Ingleby proposes in his collection 5 high performances longboards and 5 mid lengths (some twin set up and some combo 3 or 4 fins set up). All models have been designed with Bill Tollhurst, who has been shaping board for Harley for nearly 3 decades
In the past, beginners had go through the walk of shame, forced to aim for “fugly” looking shapes. In 2025, a novice board can be sexy as well: what do you have in stock for the newbies?
Most of our shape, if orders in the right dimensions can suit beginners or early intermediate surfer. That is the beauty of the Thunderbolt offer we provide boards that are easy to surf, sexy and can still be very performant under and advanced surfer’s feet.
The so-called Grovelers dominate the shortboard category (even if used in overhead surf), yet options are very unalike, from twin-keels to stubby tri-fins. What is your take within the Groveler category?
For the moment we are not very present on this category.
Midlengths are everywhere as well. Which are the latest developments in this design within your range?
Harley Ingleby’s collection present the most performance driven Midlength models we have. The Mid6 range has been designed to give maximum mid-length performance in all wave types. While the Mid 6 fires in everyday surf, it is tuned enough to handle some pretty serious surf comfortably. The Mid 6 is declines in a mini version, shorter 6’4 to 6’8. We also propose the Mid 6 Twin. Harley and Tolhurst, have also contributed to design another really good mid-length board, the Moe. The MOE mid-length range was designed to have an easy ride and good paddling, while keeping good stability and support. It is also declined as the Moe Mini for a shorter version. Opening up one of our favourite boards to the wider surfing community and really blurring the line between the mid length and full performance surfboard markets. It doesn’t matter what your size, weight or skill level is, there’s most likely Moe to suit. We also have several very cool mid-length in the CJ Nelson Program. The OUTLIER is one of the most functional designs of the ‘shortboard revolution’ re-worked by CJ and Ryan. A true speed hull that puts feel and rider enjoyment first, this board is a life changer. Digging into the history books, referencing MP, Nat and all of the transition era sliders we picked up where they left off and applied our modern knowledge to make this functional beauty. The new OUTLIER X is our answer to the performance egg. Sometimes you just need the board to do the work for you. The OUTLIER X will paddle and catch waves with ease and perform like a modern day shorty. The SUBROSA is the classic “one board quiver”. Known for its versatility in all types of surf conditions. Perfect daily driver at your local beach break and will still perform when the surf gets serious. It paddles like a longboard & responds like a short board. Ben Skinner also contributes to design some Midlegth with 2 models: The OVA is an easy board to ride for all abilities in all conditions, perfect for anyone stepping up from a short board or stepping down from a longboard, this is your answer! The HYDROPLANE is our new, user friendly and high performance Hybrid! loads of float to paddle into waves, while still maintaining the feeling of being on a high performance board!
The longboard reach is unprecedented in surfing history, as even die-hard shortboard brands do propose classic Logs. If you are new to the category, how did you position yourself? If you have been a long-time promoter of 9’+ boards, do you think “the more the merrier”?
Thunderbolt has been built around the idea of having very cool and performant longboards and bigger boards. We have all sorts of longboards from classic shapes to ultra-modern shapes and everything in between. Our longboards have been validated by world tour performances with Kai Sallas and Ben skinner and amazing free surfs under CJ Nelson or Harley Ingleby’s feet. In the CJ Nelson’s Range :The SLASHER LOW PRO takes all our knowledge of involvment longboarding and rolls it into one beautiful package. When we designed this board, we were out to make the most versatile involvement log of all time. A homage to the past with modern touches. The SPROUT 2.0 is our updated modern nose rider. Cj has been on a variation of this design his entire surfing career. Some have claimed the SPROUT 2.0 as the best noseriding surfboard of all time. The PARAGON is a workhorse for the traditional longboarder. A “Classic” California inspired stepdeck, designed to be extremely neutral. Very fast and loose off the tail and stable on the nose for pocket tip riding. The PARALLAX PLUS is a classic long hull. This design was first seen under Nat Young during the summer of 68. By all accounts the most prolific surfing ever seen at Malibu. We obviously put our spin on that original concept. More rocker, less roll, performance rail and modest two plus one fin setup makes this one is a life changer. Speed, power, flow. In the Kai Sallas collection: The MANGO JAM : A sporty, modern log, built for speed. This is our most versatile board. From 1-2 foot to double over head, or beach breaks or point breaks this board does it all. The TSUNAMI Model is a board designed for Kani “Tsunami” Stewart that he placed 2nd in the world on. Its subtle flip in the tail and wide tail block is designed for doing long, levitating noserides in the pocket. This is one of our newest and most popular model. Designed for waves in the 1-2 foot to 2 foot overhead range. The Waikiki model lives up to its name, designed to surf with style and grace in all Waikiki style waves. Designed for waves head high and under. The LAVA FLOW is built for speed! this board is ideal for Beach breaks, hollow waves or anything with a little juice. Ideal for head high to double over head surf. In the Harley Ingleby’s Collection The original Diamond Drive was specified with a wider nose, the DD 2 is more balanced in plan shape, same rocker and bottom shape and a light teardrop nose concave has been included to help with speed control while noseriding. Any other changes are subtle and are the result of ongoing testing. An absolute work horse and proven all-rounder that catches waves easier than any other board in the HI Series. The HIHP Speed is the next gen of the HIHP series. Harley was excited to make a board that had no consideration on where the World Longboard Tour is going next and the judging direction. This model is all about making a really good all-round performance 9’1. It’s a very similar outline to the board Harley won his first world event on in Anglet 2008. But it utilizes the true HP rocker that has proven to be the best all-round rocker to date. The HI4 is Harley’s go to performance longboard for anything up to a bit over head high faces. It’s wider all round with more plane shape curve between your feet making it incredibly loose and easy to turn. It utilizes the continual HP rocker with the last 6 inches flipped up so with the wider dimensions it’s still very at home in the pocket. The even rocker, nose concave and the wider nose combination makes the HI4 the easiest to walk and nose ride of the HI series. Ben Skinners collection: We also have 4 longboard models in designed by Ben Skinner: The CHERRY PICKER is a traditional single fin longboard with a very different tail design to create lift on the nose with response and drive off the tail. With a combination of traditional aspects and new school design, we have created a “Modern Noserider” that will hold and lift whilst tight in the pocket noseriding, creating a feeling like no other. The DOUBLE SCOOP is our radical new design puts a whole new twist to the modern noderider. Inspired from studying the way water flows over the tail during a noseride, this awesome new board allows a narrower tailed more performance single fin without compromising the lift and stability during critical noserides. This board has been designed off Bens’ love and passion for Formula 1. Using the science of aerodynamics and transferring it into this board using hydrodynamics and how to create downforce for lift in the nose. When stepping back from the noseride you have the curvier more pulled-in tail, combined with the concave behind the fin, to allow for sharper, smoother and more powerful turns. We propose the OG Double Scoop and the Dynamic Double Scoop. The PEACEMAKER outline is inspired by some of Herbie Fletcher classic designs. The board’s features show huge characteristics from both ends of the longboarding spectrum.
The Groveler infused the High-performance Shortboard, yet the extra foam has been streamlined so that High-perf shapes still bear a racey look. Please unveil your secrets
We don’t have high performance shortboards in our range for the moment. We focus on Longboards midlength, Big Fishes and Eggs. Never say never it might come one day.
While the alternative constructions/materials towards the eco-friendly surfboard have never been so plentiful, we are far from a massive adoption (whether from manufacturers or end-users). Any solutions out there that seem viable to you?
The first step toward a eco-friendly board is to make it as durable as possible. The Thunderbolt construction is ultra strong and durable. Thunderbolt uses fiberglass, carbon fiber and other composite materials in our lamination process. Carbon fiber is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, adding durability without making the board excessively stiff or heavy. The boards are often vacuum-bagged during the lamination process. This technique ensures even resin distribution, so we are capable of hitting our target weights. Vacuum-bagging also minimizes inconsistencies in the construction process, leading to more consistent flex and performance characteristics across different models. Despite our (mostly) lightweight construction, Thunderbolt boards are known for their durability. The combination of advanced materials and careful construction techniques ensures that these boards can withstand the rigors of extreme surfing. Nothing performs and holds up like a Thunderbolt. We use EPS blanks being is lightweight, durable, and provides a responsive feel underfoot. Thunderbolt surfboards have no central wooden stringer, which is traditionally used for strength in surfboards. Instead, we rely on modern construction methods like carbon fiber and or fiberglass elements for strength, stiffness and flex control. The standout features of a Thunderbolt surfboards are the advanced material flex components that we build into our blanks. Our blanks are designed with specific flex characteristics that mimic the feel of a traditional surfboard blank but with enhanced feel and elevated performance. Our flex patterns vary depending on the model, catering to different surfing styles and conditions. We offer a range of shapes, from high-performance shortboards to classic longboards. Each shape is designed to take advantage of Thunderbolt’s technology, providing surfers of all skill levels with an elevated surfing experience in any waves they choose to ride.
Key Products:
CJ Nelson Outliers X:
The new OUTLIER X is our answer to the performance egg. Sometimes you just need the board to do the work for you. The OUTLIER X will paddle and catch waves with ease and perform like a modern day shorty. A reliable all-arounder that sings in crappy conditions and still performs in double overhead surf. Speed power and control. The Outlier X stands a notch above other eggs and funboards out there. (Concept designed by CJ x Ryan Engle)
TB-CJ-OUTLIERX-ARMY
Harley Ingleby, Mid 6:
The Mid6 range has been designed to give maximum mid-length performance in all wave types. While the Mid 6 fires in everyday surf, it is tuned enough to handle some pretty serious surf comfortably. Bill has blended the 6 channels perfectly. With the channels balanced between your feet, when you push hard through a turn the response is immediate and the acceleration throughout is like no other board I have ever owned. The Mid 6 breaks the channel bottom stereotype that they’re only good in clean waves. It has proven to be good in everything.
TB-HARLEY-MID6-ORANGE
CJ Nelson Slasher Pro:
The SLASHER LOW PRO takes all our knowledge of involvment longboarding and rolls it into one beautiful package. When we designed this board we were out to make the most versatile involvement log of all time. A board that Cj can push him on for many years to come. Concave in the nose for incredible noseriding lift, hip in the back for pivot and whip but with a lower performance style rail and a modern edge in the tail for speed and control. A homage to the past with modern touches. (Concept designed by CJ x Ian Chisholm)
TB-CJ-SLASHER-LOW-PRO-VOLAN
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