We spoke with world surfing legend Gary “Kong” Elkerton about why Jimmy Lewis boards remain unsurpassed and how paddleboarding opened a new chapter in wave riding for him.

Question 1: On Heritage and Longevity

Gary, you’ve been at the top of the surfing world for decades. In your opinion, why do Jimmy Lewis shapes remain so relevant today, even with the market flooded by mass-produced brands?

Gary (Kong):

The reason Jimmy Lewis boards are so good is because of coming from Hawaii and surfing big Hawaiian waves he has put all his knowledge into the best wave riding vehicles on the planet. He has been doing this for many years and his boards are of the highest quality in the world if not number one.

Question 2: On Power and Performance

You are the icon of ‘Power Surfing.’ What specific requirements do you have for a board to ensure it can handle that kind of raw force and won’t let you down in critical situations?

Gary (Kong):

What I’m looking for in a high-performance surfboard for Magic waves is a very good rocker a nice outline and the most important is the fin set up and Jimmy Lewis has all of these and caters for everyone.

Question 3: On the Transition to SUP

Most people know you as a shortboard legend. What is it about SUP surfing that gets you stoked, and why is a Jimmy Lewis board the right tool for the job?

Gary (Kong):

As most people know I was on the world championship tour for 18 years and after winning pipe Masters three world titles triple crowns 12 championship events around the world at 62 years old I’ve been having trouble with my legs and I found that stand-up paddle boarding has open my eyes to a whole Nother way of writing waves which I am really enjoying and when I contacted Jimmy we had a long conversation about my body my performance and he sent me across a quiver of boards which are just amazing and I am so happy to be back in the water and catching waves again.

Question 4: On Bali Conditions

We’re here in Bali where the waves are world-class and often heavy. How do these two boards that Jimmy shaped specifically for you help a rider feel confident on these local breaks?

Gary (Kong):

The reason Jimmy Lewis boards work so well in Bali and Indonesia. Is there a waves here that are very similar to Hawaii and again going back to the rocker of the surfboard his outline on all boards especially the stun gun in waves of consequence they just seem to work magically in Indonesia.

Question 5: Advice for the Next Generation

We are launching premium SUP camps here on Bali. What’s the number one piece of advice you’d give to someone who wants to stop just ‘standing’ on a board and start truly feeling the ocean the way you do?

Gary (Kong):

Stand-up paddle boarding has changed my life at 60 years old. I can only imagine for people who would like to try this sport. Please contact us in Bali and my friend Oleg and we can help you guys get started stand-up paddle boarding in Bali. Can’t wait to see you all. Kong.

Bali is not just a tropical island. For millions of people around the world, this word is synonymous with perfect surfing. Whether you’ve watched movies about ocean conquerors or have already rubbed your knees on board wax yourself, you’ve definitely heard about Balinese lineups.

But why did this Indonesian island become the main surfing capital of the world? Here are 5 main reasons to pack your bags, buy tickets, and go book a board.

1. There are always waves, and they are perfect

Thanks to its unique geographical location, Bali receives swells (waves coming from the open ocean) year-round. There are two distinct seasons here: dry (when the west coast spots like Uluwatu or Canggu are pumping) and wet (when the east coast wakes up — Nusa Dua, Serangan). The bottom line is one: there are no days without waves in Bali. The main thing is to know where to go.

2. Spots for absolutely every level

Many think that surfing in Bali is only huge barrels over dangerous reefs. That’s a myth!

• For beginners: the soft sandy beaches of Kuta and Legian are perfect for your first steps.
• For intermediates: Batu Bolong or semi-empty spots in the east will help hone maneuvers.
• For pros: legendary Padang-Padang, Uluwatu, and Bingin will challenge even the most experienced riders.

3. Warm ocean year-round

Forget about thick, movement-restricting wetsuits. The water temperature in the Indian Ocean around Bali rarely drops below 27°C. All you need for a comfortable session is boardshorts or a swimsuit, a lycra for sun protection, and a good layer of zinc cream on your face.

4. Unique surf vibe and community

Surfing in Bali is a religion and a lifestyle. The island is steeped in this culture: from cozy cafes with organic food where everyone discusses the morning session, to stunning sunsets that are traditionally seen off on the beach with a coconut in hand. It’s easy to find like-minded people, friends, and experienced mentors here.

5. Availability of top equipment

To feel all the magic of Balinese waves, you don’t necessarily have to drag your board halfway across the globe, risking breaking it on the plane. Premium equipment can be found on the island.

That’s exactly why we opened our rental. We brought the legendary Jimmy Lewis boards to Bali — a world-renowned brand famous for its benchmark quality, indestructibility (which is very important for reef spots), and perfect shapes.

Shaper Jimmy Lewis has been creating boards for over 50 years, and our arsenal has models for any of the spots we wrote about above: from stable longboards for relaxed riding in Canggu to sharp shortboards for barrels on the Bukit.

🌊 Ready to catch the wave of your dreams?

Go to our rental catalog, choose your perfect Jimmy Lewis board, and see you in the lineup!

A detailed analysis of design features and a comparison with industry standards.

1. Signature Jimmy Lewis Sandwich Construction

The core of Jimmy Lewis technology is an engineering process aimed at creating a rigid and impact-resistant board “skin”. The construction consists of the following layers:

• Core: Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), widely known as foam.
• Inner layer: Fiberglass impregnated with epoxy resin, applied directly to the EPS.
• Sandwich layer: High-density PVC foam.
• Outer layer: A second layer of fiberglass with epoxy resin, applied over the PVC.
• Fixation process: All layers are bonded together using vacuum pressing.

Technical justification: The structural strength is due to the principle of separating the two fiberglass layers. The greater the distance between these layers, the higher the overall structural rigidity. This method is applied on both sides of the board, making it, according to the manufacturer, the strongest and lightest in the industry.

2. Comparison with basic competitor constructions

Most boards on the market use significantly simplified manufacturing schemes, which negatively affects their operational characteristics:

• Standard assembly: Consists of just one or two layers of fiberglass (usually two 6-ounce layers) applied directly to the foam core.
• Test results: A construction of two layers of 6-ounce fiberglass demonstrates a critical lack of rigidity and easily deforms even under minimal weight.

3. Critical analysis of “bamboo” constructions

Many brands position their boards as “sandwich constructions” when using bamboo, however, a detailed analysis shows the inconsistency of this definition with reality:

• Competitors’ method: Bamboo veneer is vacuumed directly onto the EPS core, after which a single layer of fiberglass is applied on top.
• Definition problem: According to Jimmy Lewis, this is not a true sandwich, as it lacks the critically important layer of fiberglass underneath the bamboo. Without separating two glass layers, the material’s rigidity remains insufficient.
• Strength indicators: Although bamboo with one layer of glass is stronger than regular fiberglass, it is still subject to significant bending under loads.

Comparative indicators of rigidity and strength

During demonstration tests, the degree of deformation of various materials under weight was evaluated. The results are presented in the table below:

The technological advantage of Jimmy Lewis constructions is based on strict adherence to the principles of an engineering “sandwich”. The use of PVC foam as a separator between fiberglass layers creates a structural synergy that is impossible to achieve by directly layering materials onto a soft core. Tests confirm that the Jimmy Lewis construction is five times superior to standard solutions in its ability to resist deformation, while providing an optimal strength-to-weight ratio.