1977 World Champion Shaun Tomson’s Personal Surfboard (1979)

Offered here is a museum-quality surfboard with exceptional provenance: Shaun Tomson’s personal board, shaped by renowned Lightning Bolt craftsman Bill Barnfield. Built to Tomson’s exact specifications, the board measures 7’0″—four inches longer than a nearly identical 1978 example—and carries added volume through the nose to enhance bottom turns and generate the speed needed to set up and exit the tube. These refinements played a role in Tomson’s peak competitive years, including his 1977 World Championship campaign.

Finished in a rich yellow tint, the board is accented with Tomson’s iconic green, blue, and red racing stripes running across both the deck and bottom. A closely related board appears in Jim Winniman’s The Ultimate Guide to Vintage Surfboards (page 203). While both share a rounded tail, this example stands apart due to its increased length and custom dimensions. The board features Shaun’s signature Instinct logo on the nose, along with Bill Barnfield’s “BB” initials on the foam above the stringer and beneath the glass—clear markers of a true custom built specifically for Tomson.

Bill Barnfield is widely regarded as a top-tier Lightning Bolt shaper, whose boards and guns were trusted by elite surfers on the North Shore. This board was crafted following Tomson’s 1975 Pipeline Masters victory at Banzai Pipeline, a period when Barnfield’s work represented the pinnacle of high-performance surfboard design.

Adding to its provenance, Shaun Tomson was reunited with this very board at the New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on June 1, 2025, where he signed it for us (see attached photos). Upon seeing it, Tomson remarked, “I remember riding this board. Where did you get it? Wow.” INSTINCT later reflected on the moment on social media: “It doesn’t matter if you are a World Champion or just some average bloke—there’s a special feeling you get when reunited with a stick from your past.”

The board remains all original and has been professionally re-glossed and polished to restore its original shine. Some browning is present on areas of the deck, visible in the photos, but the board is solid, completely watertight, and exceptionally well preserved for its age.

If you have questions about this surfboard, please visit our Contact page or call 1-800-210-6714.