Lucas Lecacheur: The Rockabilly Frenchman Disrupting Surfboard Culture

The surfboard industry isn’t known for readily embracing the unconventional. But Lucas Lecacheur, the Parisian artist and shaper behind Perfect Designs, isn’t trying to fit in. He’s actively reshaping the culture, one violently conceptual – and occasionally user-friendly – board at a time.

Lecacheur’s recent world tour, with stops in Japan, California, Portugal, and Hawaii, wasn’t just about selling boards. It was a traveling exhibition of art, music, and a distinctly disruptive energy. He arrived in Hawaii last year, bringing with him a unique aesthetic – a blend of post-punk, fresh wave, and a touch of goth – and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

Lecacheur’s background is as eclectic as his designs. He’s a DJ, the frontman for the band Bad Pelicans (“Too Cool for the Wave Pool” is one of their surf-themed songs), and a shaper who operates out of Paris. He’s a figure who polarizes, particularly among traditional board builders. But those who look beyond the initial shock locate a thoughtful craftsman genuinely interested in holding a mirror up to surf culture.

Growing up in Normandy before moving to Île de Ré at age eight, Lecacheur’s early life was a blend of village life and a yearning for something more. He dreamed of being a rockstar, finding solace in surfing and playing guitar. That desire for action eventually led him back to Paris at 19, where he formed Bad Pelicans with bandmate Fernando.

The band’s success allowed them to tour Europe and explore their creative vision. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, though, that Perfect Designs truly began to grab shape. Boredom and a desire to create something new led to the birth of “La Guillotine,” a strikingly pointed surfboard that became a symbol of the brand’s rebellious spirit.

“I was born in Paris but moved to Île de Ré when I was 8, a small island off the west coast of France,” Lecacheur explained. “A pretty mellow and slow lifestyle: village life, riding bicycles. I had always dreamed of being a rockstar, and surfing and playing guitar were what I needed to keep the dream alive. But throughout my youth, I was always craving the city and the action.”

Lecacheur’s approach to shaping is rooted in his artistic background, having studied Electroacoustic Composition for eight years. He sees surfboards not just as functional objects, but as canvases for expression. He’s driven by a desire to create something new, something that challenges the conventions of the industry.

“I studied Electroacoustic Composition for about eight years. It is a very wild and experimental form of musical expression, using sound and noise as a physical material, creating conceptual pieces made of both soft and harsh elements. I guess I have always loved exploring outside the lines, surprising myself, and crafting something I’ve never seen before,” he said.

The initial reaction to Perfect Designs was mixed, to say the least. Some dismissed it as a joke, while others were immediately captivated by its audacity. The boards sparked debate and divided opinions, but they undeniably made a statement.

Lecacheur’s events are as much performance art as they are product launches. One event in Paris involved him and Fernando simply standing on stage, silently changing tracks on an iPad while the audience looked on. Another saw him arrive at a venue in a vintage Mercedes with a police siren attached.

“Like with a band, it is impossible for me to separate the aesthetic and performance aspects from the music. Rock and roll would have never been rock and roll without the performance, fashion, personality, and cinematic elements behind it,” Lecacheur noted. “Anyone can make a weird surfboard, but Perfect Designs is about the entire universe that surrounds it.”

His recent travels took him to Japan, where he’s cultivated a strong following, and Hawaii, where he spent time at Third Stone Hawaii and C.O.R.E, shaping boards and launching new films. A bout of food poisoning nearly ended his Hawaiian sojourn, but he was nursed back to health by Britt Wild, who provided him with the necessary remedies.

“Hawaii is a special place, and as I expected, I felt like I had to prove myself to other shapers,” Lecacheur said. “Though I do not feel like I have anything to prove, because I am not even competing with the past. My gesture is to reinvent surfing as if it never existed.”

Alongside his more experimental designs, Lecacheur also offers a line of more user-friendly boards under the LUXE label. These boards, available in three models ranging from six to twelve feet, feature a signature Pelican Beak nose and a polished finish. He’s currently discussing plans to make them available for order in America.

“LUXE is a label of personal crafts that I have been surfing every day for the past five years,” Lecacheur explained. “They were originally made only for close friends and for my personal utilize. The approach with these boards is extremely strict, and the custom options are limited.”

Lucas Lecacheur isn’t just shaping surfboards; he’s shaping a new vision for the sport, one that embraces art, music, and a healthy dose of rebellion. He’s a reminder that sometimes, the most innovative ideas approach from those who dare to challenge the norm.