Lightning Bolt Board Picture Causes Frenzy in the Surfing Community

There was a time when surfing wasn’t considered a sport, but today it’s on the Olympic roster, and there are surfers all over the globe who compete in it. There have been many famous people who have contributed to making the sport what it is today. Mr. Pipeline himself, Gerry Lopez, is now 74 years old and was among those famous faces. He was also renowned for his talent in shaping surfboards and his aggressive style of surfing. The early surfers’ reception to Lopez’s boards was highly positive. Up to this point, his company, Lightning Bolt, has provided surfers with some of the most sought-after boards in the market.

Photos of a vintage Lightning Bolt surfboard posted by member u/PapiJohanssen to the u/surfing subreddit have recently gone viral. It didn’t take long for the community to get together in the comments and debate whether or not it was a genuine Lightning Bolt surfboard.

The history behind the iconic surfing brand

In 1971, surf pioneers Gerry Lopez and Jack Shipley established Lightning Bolt in Hawaii. As a result of the challenges faced by the company in its early years, the brand now boasts a rich and interesting history. The very moniker “Lightning Bolt” itself was unexpected. Jack Shipley, a friend of Lopez’s, smoked a joint called “Lightning Bolt,” and when Lopez visited Jack’s house, Jack’s wife suggested that Lopez use “Lightning Bolt” for the brand. Mr. Pipeline quickly registered the name and opened for business. Customers’ love for their surfboards helped the company flourish.

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Nevertheless, a tragic fire struck the company, leaving both surfers in disbelief. They persisted, however, and eventually joined forces with Randy Rarick to start again. Lopez was responsible for making and testing the surfboards, Rarick oversaw sales, and Shipley ran the storefront. Rarick found it simple to sell Lopez’s surfboards since he took his time and strived for excellence. The company’s name rose to prominence again in the surfing market, and it maintains that position to this day.

The surfboard that took over the internet

Every old Lightning Bolt surfboard has a special place in every surfer’s heart because of its place in surfing history. This Reddit user just wanted to know whether the photo of the Lightning Bolt surfboard he shared was real or not. As other users discussed how legit the surfboard is, one user took a trip to nostalgic times, saying, “JFC that Osiris sticker makes me feel old.” A cheeky comment was left by another user that reads, “Nah, that’s a surfboard.”

Is this a real Lighting Bolt?
by u/PapiJohanssen in surfing

It looks like one user was being sarcastic as they said, “That’s a knockoff Litening board. Kind of like a Folex. It’ll turn your skin green. I’ll take it off your hands.” As people drooled over the surfboard’s history, one user pointed out the poor condition of the pad of the surfboard, saying, “That pad is disgusting.”

What do you think? Does the Lightning Board look genuine to you? Let us know in the comments.

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