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Born in 1952, Jack Shipley moved from Maryland to Oahu by way of Ohio when he was nine years old. Soon after, he took a surf lesson from a Waikiki beach boy and knew right away where his life was headed.
Shipley worked at surf shops in his teens, first Hobie, then Surf Line Hawaii. In 1970, he and fellow Surf Line employee Gerry Lopez founded Lightning Bolt Surfboards, which would soon become the most recognized surfboard label in the world.
Lightning Bolt had the best shapers of the period: Bill Barnfield, Tom Parrish, Reno Abellira, Barry Kanaiapuni, Tom Nellis, and Tom Eberly. They also had the best surfers: Mark Richards, Rabbit Bartholomew, Shaun Tomson, Margo Oberg, Jeff Hakman, Rory Russell, and, of course, Lopez himself, who was pushing the boundaries in barrel riding at Pipeline.
Starting in 1978 and continuing for over 40 years, Jack was one of competitive surfing's most revered judges, traveling on the pro tour around the world, paying witness and making the call on some of surfing's most memorable performances. In short, he's seen it all.
Today, Shipley lives near Diamond Head, where he spoke with Jamie Brisick about Lightning Bolt's early days, the legacy of Gerry Lopez, watching surf history unfold in real time, and the qualities that define the greats.
Presented by Rainbow® Sandals
Produced by Jonathan Shifflett
Music by PazKa (Aska Matsumiya & Paz Lenchantin)
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