RNF ’96 Kingfish (left) and the Puddle Jumper. They work. Photo: John Webster//The Inertia
Summer has a funny reputation with surfers. Yes, the waves can be small and grovely, forcing us to find corners where they pop up, or use our intimate knowledge of a place to find rideable surf. But just as quickly, the worm can turn, and with a simple hurricane swell, we’re scrambling for step-ups and shorties as the waves become sizeable overnight, and the waters warm from the southern flow.
But mostly, summer surf is just fun. And it requires versatile boards that can make the most of whatever’s on offer. I’ve ridden the boards of shaper Matt Biolos and his …Lost brand for many of my surfing years. His knowledge of the places I surf in Southern California is without question, and the boards he designs speak to that. I’ve enjoyed many a fine day battling the Lowers crowd on a number of Driver models.
That’s why I was elated to try out a pair of his summer designs for 2025 – the Original Puddle Jumper 25 and the revamp of an absolute classic, the RNF ’96 Kingfish. And it was very fun. Here’s what I learned.
First off, my surfing: I’m an average to slightly (ever so slightly) above-average rider of waves. I can make a turn. Etc…Etc. I’m 6’0″, around 195 pounds on a good day (very good, more like 200). Not a tiny guy, nor a spry high schooler, so foam is good. And as mentioned, I’ve ridden a few …Lost models.
The PJ’s wide outline = a wave-catching machine. Photo: John Webster//The Inertia
Original Puddle Jumper ’25
The Puddle Jumper first. I’ve always loved this model. I’ve ridden the Lib Tech version, as well as the modified Puddle Fish, and they are do-it-all designs made for really crappy waves. The concave bottom and V tail, combined with the width of this revamped version (5’8″x21.5″ x 2.63″ 36L), made it really easy to catch waves. Any kind of waves. When I run a quad, boards don’t just seem faster down the line, they feel like they paddle better, too. And this thing paddles splendidly. And when I say it works in slopey waves, I mean it. Like a slow day at Middles kind of slopey. Or even a quiet day at SanO, if you’re okay sitting inside or fighting for waves with infinitely larger designs.
Matt’s combo of concave + rail design somehow makes this thing a joy to turn in small, crappy waves and get up for vertical stuff on the face if you have it in you. You’re going to find limitations with it when the surf gets shoulder high and above, and has a wall. A thruster will obviously stabilize it in bigger surf. But that’s not really what it’s for anyway. It can be a daily driver when the surf is poor for long periods of time.
I used the Puddle Jumper in …Lost’s LightSpeed technology, which features ultra-light EPS foam and tough epoxy resin. Like I said, I’ve tried it in other materials, but this construction felt really poppy and fast. Tough enough to travel with – and take a hit from thoughtless baggage handlers.
That tail on the ’96 though, making a longer board turn like a much shorter one. Photo: John Webster//The Inertia
RNF ’96 Kingfish
This is one of the most fun and interesting surfboards I’ve ridden in a while. This new release from …Lost takes a tried and true fish model that Andy Irons and Cory Lopez rode to perfection for years, and extends the design. Some very obvious differences: the …Lost fish models from the ’90s were twin fins, and this is a thruster, which I rode with a set of Matt Archbold fins (…Lost recommends a 2+1 with a small trailer fin in the back). It’s also longer (to be ridden six inches longer than your normal fish).
There were two, very distinct facets that stood out about the 96 for me. First, it’s billed as moving towards …Lost’s mid-length models, but it doesn’t surf like a mid-length (the brand has plenty of other options if you want to go super groovy, see the Smooth Operator). Second, I feel like the RNF ’96 Kingfish is best suited for the smallest day at the best wave you live near. This board paddles well but still loves a wave with shape. That’s thanks to a little extra tail rocker. But that tail bend makes it so fun to turn. I was riding a 6’6″ x 20.75 x 2.66″ (40.2 L) and it didn’t feel like a board I’d pull a cheater five on. It wanted to rip and be surfed top-to-bottom (even if I couldn’t always oblige). As a thruster, I even liked this board in bigger surf. But the relatively narrow nose and tail really keep this board nimble. A fun ride that can make shitty days at your favorite spot much more enjoyable.
I tested the ’96 in the Blacksheep technology. Aside from looking sexy as hell, this material – built with EPS and carbon fiber – is so damn lively and fun to ride (and paddle). Despite its light weight, it feels pretty durable too, as I’ve banged it around in a board bag on a trip to Mexico and it hasn’t shown much wear (ask me again in a couple of months).
The verdict? Two really fun designs that could cover you during times of gutless surf. And in the case of the ’96 Kingfish, keep you hyped when the waves get better.
Editor’s Note: …Lost’s stock lineup offers the Puddle Jumper in standard poly, Light SpeedII, and Black Sheep constructions. The Kingfish is offered in poly and Black Sheep. All …Lost models can be custom ordered in any construction.
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