Read about the team here.
The founder of Gulf Stream Surfboards, Julian 'Jools' Matthews has, for the last 15 years, poured his heart and soul into the pursuit of making perfect surfboards. Dedicated to shaping every board from start to finish by hand, he has spent more hours in the shaping bay than you or I would dare to imagine.
When he's not covered in shaping dust with planer in hand, he loves nothing more than the act of surfing itself, and if the waves aren't happening, is happy to swap his surfboard for his kiteboard, such is his desire to be up and riding. He is a keen traveller, and one of those guys who can always keep calm in a crisis, of which at Gulf Stream, there seem to be many. At just 5'6"(?) he 'aint the tallest guy around, but as they say, it's not how big it is...
Ellis 'Elvis' Beeton is the reason that Gulf Stream surfboards all look so good. He is the artist. His eye for matching shades, and skill with masking tape are there for all to see. Indeed, the famous Gulf Stream 'Look' is all his work. Ellis is considered to be the most underrated surfer in the area, his pig dog barrels are text book. His understated style in the waves is mirrored in the way he takes on life, whether it is taking care of his family or entertaining seething crowds with his bass guitar, it is all done with the minimum of fuss and complete denial of the chaos around him!
Simon 'Skelly' Skelton is gulf stream's chief board salesman, and for good reason. What this guy doesn't know about surfboards is truly not worth knowing. He has gained this knowledge from a lifetime of surfing, and has an almost unhealthy obsession with vintage surfboards, which cover every inch of his home like wallpaper.
With a fearless (or is that reckless?) attitude towards surfing, you can always see him out - usually alone - on the biggest days, totally in his element. Also able to mix it up with the best of them at 2' Saunton on his long board and everything in-between, Skelly lives for it. When he's not ruling the line-up or scouring the charity shops for some new togs, he can be found in gulf stream making beautiful music on his squeeze box, blissfully unaware of any customers...
Matt Hawkshaw a.k.a.'Spoon' is a gentle giant who has honed his laminating skills in the glassing bays of gulf stream since leaving school many moons ago. Known to have worked 15 hour days till the early hours of the morning, Matt's uniquely chilled pace of work perfectly compliments his meticulous strive for the perfect glass job. Matt loves his boys toys, and can always be found riding his bike, out on his boat, riding his skateboard or doing all the other things the likes of you and I grew out of years ago...
The youngest member of the Gulf Stream crew, Will can be found perfecting his sales skills at either out showroom in Braunton, or the factory at Woolacombe. He is a fun loving guy who lives every day to the full! Besides selling surfboards, Will loves nothing more than surfing itself. He is the kind of guy who thinks nothing of driving for 3 hours on the off chance of scoring some chest high waves while his local beachie is flat regardless of other commitments or the price of fuel...
View images of Will.
