03/05/2025
BUILDER SPOTLIGHT ⚡️
Mr. Ryuji Mihara ( )
Ooita Japan. 34 years building boards.
Local surf spot Chiba
Master sander and Laminator.
Ryuji, a 16-year-old, has been a part of the Thunderbolt / Burleigh Heads family since his youth. Once a rebellious and troublemaking kid, he found solace and structure in learning to build surfboards under the guidance of Tomastsu Sumitomo. Ryuji excels in laminating, shaping, sanding, and polishing, embodying the traditional Japanese craftsmanship of his craft.
Ryuji’s talents extend beyond board building. He is also a passionate motorcycle builder, surfer, snowboarder, and devoted family man to his wife and three daughters.
Beyond his artistic skills, Ryuji plays a crucial role in testing materials and maintaining our tools and machines. While he may not be the one responsible for the beautiful finishes that Thunderbolt consistently delivers, his mastery of his craft is invaluable to our success. We couldn’t be happier to work alongside this incredible human being.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ryuji for his unwavering hard work and dedication. Without his contributions, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Thank you, Ryuji. 🙏🏻