PAUL BLACKER'S LIGHTNING BOLT 50TH ANNIVERSARY SURFBOARD
The authenticity and craftsmanship
Shaping, spraying, glassing, sanding, glossing and polishing with his own two hands
Paul Blacker is one of the two surfboard shapers in the United Kingdom who was authorized by Gerry Lopez in the late ‘70s to make Lightning Bolt boards, while he was working for Chapter Surfboards in N. Devon.
Later, when he settled up on his own, Ted Deerhurst Team Lightning Bolt came over from Hawaii specifically to make him for the second time Lightning Bolt boardmaker for Europe.
He was described by Ted Deerhust as "a real custom shaper, not a production shaper, (…) the most underrated shaper in Europe”.
Year after year, Paul Blacker has been responding to Lightning Bolt surfboard orders.
He still makes every board himself by hand from start to finish, with the guarantee of top craftsmanship equal to Lightning Bolt demand for quality.
So, when celebrating our 50th anniversary, to invite Paul Blacker to create a commemorative board was as natural as it could be.
You would already expect ‘Blackie' to shape a masterpiece and this Lightning Bolt 50th Anniversary one was no exception, representing all the energy, history, authenticity and talent behind the brand.
This Lightning Bolt commemorative board can be seen in UK window shops.
Paul Blacker remains a very respected shaper and manufacturer of surfboards and he has created a reputation as a real artisan and fine craftsman.
He counts now over 45 years doing it, with the old school philosophy and working methods, from his factory in Knowle, Braunton.
We are thrilled to have Paul Blacker on board as one of our official ambassador Lightning Bolt shapers.
