Jimmy Lewis

What Jimmy Lewis does

Jimmy Lewis is a privately held, founder-operated water-sports board brand established in 1968 and headquartered in Maui, Hawaii. The company designs and sells handcrafted surfboards, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), kiteboards, and foilboards for a range of riders from beginners to elite professionals, including big-wave athletes at Jaws, Mavericks, and Nazare. Founder Jimmy Lewis personally shapes every prototype and plug himself with no staff of designers, applying a proprietary "Golden Ratio" hydrodynamic shaping philosophy and a signature JL Sandwich Construction (3mm high-density PVC foam core with fiberglass/carbon laminates, applied to both top and bottom of every board).

All Jimmy Lewis boards are manufactured by Kinetic, a Taiwanese factory run by the Chen family, with which Jimmy Lewis has worked since the 1990s and re-engaged in 2003-2004 for kiteboard and later surfboard production. The catalog spans 43 active SKUs organized into four lines: Surfboards (Shortboards, Fun Boards, Longboards), Stand-Up Paddleboards (Wave, Crossover/All-Around, Race/Touring), Foilboards (SuperFly family, Flying V family, Twisted V), and Kiteboards (Twin-Tips and Directionals). Unit pricing ranges from $839 for entry foilboards to $3,699 for premium race SUPs.

The go-to-market combines direct e-commerce via jimmylewis.com, a wholesale dealer network of 100+ brick-and-mortar stores across the US, Central & South America, and the Caribbean, and country-specific international resellers in Australia, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan, and the UK + Ireland, with drop-shipping capability. Revenue streams are entirely hardware sales (one-time board purchases). The company employs 1-10 people, has raised no institutional funding, and discloses no revenue figures.

Name

Jimmy Lewis

Legal name

Jimmy Lewis

Website

https://jimmylewis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Jimmy Lewis is a Maui, Hawaii-based, founder-operated brand founded in 1968 that designs and sells handcrafted surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, kiteboards, and foilboards to individual water-sports riders worldwide through direct e-commerce and a 100+ dealer network spanning six international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Sports Boards (Surf, SUP, Kite, Foil)

NAICS

Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing (322212)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650)

akta.pro primary industry

Paddle Sports Retail (Kayak, Canoe, SUP, Paddles) (CRAMAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sailing & Rigging Retail (Sailboats, Sails, Hardware) (CRAMAIAG), Water Sports Equipment Retail (Wake, Ski, Tow, Tubes) (CRAMAIAC), Water Sports & Marine Recreation Retail (Paddle/Surf/Dive/Boat Accessories) (CRAMABAI)

Keywords

• Handcrafted surfboards
• Stand-up paddleboards
• Hydrofoil boards
• Kiteboards
• Performance water sports boards

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Direct Board Sales: One-time purchase of hand-shaped boards (surfboards, kiteboards, SUPs, foilboards) through the company's own e-commerce storefront. Prices range from $839 for entry-level foilboards to $3,699 for premium race/touring SUPs. Shipping costs verified after order placement.
2. Wholesale Dealer/Distributor Sales: Wholesale program for over 100 brick and mortar stores in the US, Central & South America, and the Caribbean, with drop shipping capability and online inventory ordering. Includes country-specific resellers in Australia, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan, and UK + Ireland.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Jimmy Lewis designs, shapes, and sells handcrafted performance boards across four water-sport disciplines — surfboards, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), kiteboards, and hydrofoil boards. All boards are built using a proprietary JL Signature Sandwich Construction (high-density PVC foam core with fiberglass/carbon laminates) in collaboration with the Kinetic factory in Taiwan, and are sold direct-to-consumer via jimmylewis.com and through a global dealer network of 100+ brick-and-mortar stores.

Product overview

Jimmy Lewis is a single unified brand of handcrafted performance water sports boards, organized as four core product lines: Surfboards (sub-divided into Shortboards like Shack, Kwad, Canary; Fun Boards like Rocket, Destroyer; and Longboards like Maui Model, HP, Tai Stick, Ultimate Noserider), Stand-Up Paddleboards/SUPs (sub-divided into Wave, Crossover/All-Around, and Race/Touring categories with offerings like Black & Blue Machine, Bombora, Destroyer HP, Hanalei, Striker, Cruise Control, Cruise Ship, Sidewinder, Storm Shadow, U-Boat), Foilboards (SuperFly, Flying V, Flying VM, Flying V2, Twisted V, SuperFly FD, SuperFly FDT, with the FDT being Foil Drive compatible), and Kiteboards (Twin-Tips Model III, Super Model, Flight Deck; Directionals Canary Kite Surf, Shack, Kwad). All boards are designed by founder Jimmy Lewis using a signature sandwich construction with high-density PVC foam and fiberglass/carbon laminates, manufactured by the Kinetic factory. The portfolio is unified around Jimmy Lewis's "GOLDEN RATIO" shaping philosophy, with products referencing and evolving from each other (e.g., the Destroyer surf shape inspired the Destroyer HP and Destroyer MP SUPs, and the SuperFly prone foil board evolved into the SuperFly FD and SuperFly FDT foilboards).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kinetic: Manufacturing partner brand that produces all of Jimmy Lewis's surfboards, kiteboards, stand up and foil boards.

Products and services

• Surfboards Hand-shaped surfboards built with JL Signature Sandwich Construction across Shortboards (Shack, Kwad, Canary), Fun Boards (Rocket, Destroyer), and Longboards (Maui Model, HP, Tai Stick, Ultimate Noserider). Designed for surfers ranging from beginners to advanced/professional riders, with boards proven at big-wave venues including Jaws, Mavericks, and Nazare. Priced from $854 to $1,253.
• Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUPs) Stand-up paddleboards spanning Wave (Black & Blue Machine, Bombora Series, Destroyer HP, Destroyer MP, Kwad, Super Frank, Stun Gun, Super Tech, World Wide), Crossover/All-Around (Cruise Control, Hanalei, Maestro, Striker), and Race/Touring (Rail, Cruise Ship, M-Series, Searcher, Storm Shadow, Sidewinder, Stiletto, U-Boat) categories. Designed for paddlers seeking stability combined with performance glide, for fitness, touring, wave riding, racing, and downwinding. Priced from $1,823 to $3,699.
• Foilboards Foil-specific boards for prone foiling, SUP foiling, downwind foiling, and wing foiling, including SuperFly, Flying V, Flying VM, Flying V2, Twisted V, SuperFly FD, and SuperFly FDT (Foil Drive compatible). Designed with the proprietary "seaplane" bottom shape and beveled chine rails for low-drag take-offs and soft touch-downs. Priced from $839 to $2,349.
• Kiteboards Kiteboards split into Twin-Tips (Model III, Super Model, Flight Deck) for freeride and light/medium wind use, and Directionals (Canary Kite Surf, Shack, Kwad) for surf-style kiting. Built using JL Classic TT construction with twin-tip models priced from $911 and directional models from $1,025 to $1,082.
• Destroyer Surfboard A short longboard described as "Maui's Favorite Board." Catches waves like a longboard but performs like a shortboard, with flat bottom transitioning to V near fins for speed and responsiveness. Available in five sizes from 6'0" to 8'0", priced at $912.
• Storm Shadow Race/Touring SUP A 14' race SUP board designed by I Wen Chen of Kinetic for racing performance, offered in four widths and PVC or Carbon sandwich constructions. Priced from $3,299 to $3,699.
• Flying V2 Foil SUP An evolution of the Flying V foil SUP that adds the proprietary "seaplane" bottom shape with beveled rails for zero-drag take-offs and soft touch-downs, enabling effortless stand-up or wing foiling. Offered in six sizes from 5'6" to 7'9", priced from $1,899 to $2,349.
• Flying V Foil SUP Jimmy Lewis's signature foil SUP with max volume, blocky rails, and beveled chine rails for stability and easy lift-off/touch-down. Available in JL Classic or Carbon sandwich construction in five sizes, priced from $1,295 to $1,649.
• SuperFly Prone Foilboard A prone foilboard designed by Marlon Lewis with beveled chine rails for smooth lift-off and touch-down, with both Tuttle box and plate attachments for maximum foil-mounting flexibility. Available in four sizes from 4'8" to 5'8".
• Twisted V Downwind Foil SUP A downwind foil SUP with a unique Twisted V tail shape and "seaplane" bottom for acceleration and zero-resistance touch-downs. Offered in six sizes (7'10" to 8'6") and JL Classic or JL Carbon construction, priced from $1,329 to $1,649.
• SuperFly FD Foilboard A prone foilboard evolved from the SuperFly featuring the "seaplane" bottom shape and beveled chine rails, designed as a platform for mounting the Foil Drive Gen 2 electric-assist propulsion system. Priced from $839 to $949.
• SuperFly FDT Foilboard Identical to the SuperFly FD but featuring an integrated trench to accommodate Foil Drive Gen 2 and Manta propulsion units. Can also be prone paddled or wing foiled. Designed in collaboration with Paul Martin of Foil Drive. Priced from $1,399 to $1,549.
• Destroyer HP SUP A high-performance contest-winning SUP wave line with low volume, high-performance rocker line, and super fine rails on the tail. Available in three sizes (9' x 29", 10' x 29", 10' x 31.5") priced from $2,165 to $2,507.
• Bombora Series Big-Wave SUP A big-wave SUP series with semi-gun and gun outlines derived from big-wave surfboard designs, used by professional riders at Jaws, Mavericks, and Nazare. Features a 4+1 fin box setup. Three sizes: Baby Bomb 10, Son of Bombora 10-6, and Bombora 12, priced from $1,994 to $2,678.
• Handcrafted Custom Boards Jimmy Lewis personally shapes one-off custom boards for individual riders, including balsa tow boards and custom shapes for big-wave surfers, kiteboarders, and expedition paddlers. Demonstrated through custom tow boards built for Daniel Goldberg since 2005 and custom boards built for riders like Robert Brede since the mid-1990s.

Quantifiable outcome

• Customer-rated 5.00 out of 5 stars on the Destroyer surfboard (1 customer review)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Kinetic (factory)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKinetic is the manufacturer of all Jimmy Lewis boards — surfboards, kiteboards, stand up paddleboards, and foilboards. The relationship began around 2003-2004 when Jimmy Lewis enlisted James Chen of Kinetic to produce his kiteboards. Within two years they expanded into surfboard production. Kinetic also contributes design talent (e.g., I Wen Chen of Kinetic designed the Storm Shadow race SUP). The Chen family runs the factory and continuously tests new materials and construction techniques.
• Foil Drive (Paul Martin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Paul Martin of Foil Drive that produced the SuperFly FD and SuperFly FDT (Foil Drive Trench) models. The SuperFly was identified as one of Paul Martin's favorite boards for the Foil Drive system after testing. The FDT version integrates a trench to accommodate the Foil Drive Gen 2 and Manta units.
• I Wen Chen (Kinetic)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner of the Storm Shadow race model for the Jimmy Lewis line. Worked on the design extensively, made numerous prototypes, and completed the final design through comprehensive testing and racing. Board is offered in 4 widths all 14' long and available in PVC sandwich or carbon sandwich construction.
• Haiku Sports (Europe distributor)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean reseller for Jimmy Lewis boards, listed on the country selector of jimmylewis.com as the European storefront/distribution point.
• jimmylewis.com.au (Australia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCountry-specific Australian storefront for Jimmy Lewis boards, linked from the website's country selector.
• Stand Up Takapuna (New Zealand)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew Zealand reseller for Jimmy Lewis boards, linked from the website's country selector (standuptakapuna.co.nz).
• jimmylewis.tw (Taiwan)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTaiwan country-specific storefront for Jimmy Lewis boards, linked from the website's country selector.
• Surfs-SUP (UK + Ireland)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK and Ireland reseller for Jimmy Lewis boards, linked from the website's country selector (surfs-sup.co.uk).
• Jan Muellers (Germany & Netherlands importer)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-time Jimmy Lewis pal and importer for Germany and the Netherlands, mentioned in social posts introducing new Shack surfboard deliveries to Dutch riders.
• Maui Web DesignsminorOthersWebsite design partner credited in the footer of jimmylewis.com as the site builder.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• F-One: F-One manufactures kites, wings, SUP foils, and foilboards, directly competing with Jimmy Lewis across the kite, wing-foil, and SUP foil categories with similar end-user riders and premium pricing.
• Channel Islands Surfboards: Channel Islands is a heritage surfboard brand founded by shapers (Al Merrick), directly comparable to Jimmy Lewis as a shaper-led, performance-focused surfboard brand with pro-rider endorsements and global dealer reach.
• Sunova Surfboards: Sunova produces performance surfboards and SUPs emphasizing construction quality and shape design philosophy, comparable to Jimmy Lewis's emphasis on sandwich construction and timeless shapes for surf and wave SUP riders.
• Cabrinha: Cabrinha is a leading kiteboarding brand offering kiteboards (twin-tips and directionals) that directly overlap Jimmy Lewis's kiteboard category, serving similar kiters with comparable board shapes and pricing.
• Starboard: Starboard produces SUPs, foilboards, and kiteboards, including race and wave categories that directly overlap Jimmy Lewis's paddle, foil, and kite lines. Both brands emphasize construction quality, multiple SKU categories, and a global dealer footprint.
• Firewire Surfboards: Firewire is a performance surfboard brand with proprietary construction technologies (e.g., LFT, Helium) that parallel Jimmy Lewis's sandwich construction approach, serving overlapping surf riders at premium price points.
• Armstrong Foilboards: Armstrong specializes in foil-specific boards and foils, directly competing with Jimmy Lewis's SuperFly, Flying V, Flying V2, and Twisted V lines in the prone and SUP foil categories.
• Naish: Naish manufactures kiteboards, SUPs, and foilboards across multiple water-sport categories, closely overlapping Jimmy Lewis's four product lines (surf, kite, SUP, foil) with similar target customers and pricing tiers.
• Slingshot Sports: Slingshot produces kiteboards and foilboards, overlapping Jimmy Lewis's kite and foil lines for similar rider segments including progression-friendly twin-tips and prone foilboards.

Emerging players

• Go Foil: Go Foil is a foil-specialist brand offering foilboards and hydrofoils for prone and SUP foiling, partially overlapping Jimmy Lewis's foilboard line for the same emerging rider base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/JimmyLewisBoards
• Instagraminstagram.com/jimmylewisboards
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jimmy-lewis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jimmy Lewis