LOST HYDRA Review

Review of the Lost Hydra
5'11" 22.25 2.7 40L

[@steve-g-]

Thanks so much for the great reviews man. There's not much out there so I really appreciate it :)

[@lawson45uk]

Thanks Stefan appreciate your support and kind words :-) Thanks for watching

[@almonj6269]

Great review mate and comments too. This board looks great and am definitely tempted but I'm still leaning towards the Seaside. Keep up the great work!

[@lawson45uk]

Yeah I think the Seaside is a bit more versatile and a bit more neutral and natural to pick up. it's definitely an all time classic and one of the easiest boards to recommend for most people to have in their quiver. Thank for your support and kind words :-)

[@genomcnerney9673]

Sounds like a Souped up bean bag!....sounds fun! Your reviews are just getting better for the everyday surfer. Keep it up cuzin!

[@lawson45uk]

Ha ha yeah That's how I should have described it I got so lost with this one ;-P lol no pun intended :-) lmao Hows your collection coming on mate all good.

[@genomcnerney9673]

@@lawson45uk I still havnt surfed the bean bag. Always have my eye out for a used one. Love my longboard when its tiny and thinking about buying a 7'4 seaside! Hopefully some swell this weekend I'll get my new rnf retro wet! The 6'10 crowd killer rides easy early and still duck dives in overhead waves just a stretched out quiver killer really. Still looking for my magic waist to head high fish hopefully this 6'2 rnf retro will work if not I'm going for a 5'11 seaside. I'm curious which board you love as a daily? Still the seaside? I need help with my back injury and 2 hrs from the coast drive:)

[@lawson45uk]

@@genomcnerney9673 Yeah mate I like a longboard for small stuff or when it's slow or just when I want to actually catch some waves under all the Logs and sups and beginners here. I used to try not have one but your just kidding yourself and missing out on days when that's the only thing that's really going to go. There isn't really any substitute. All this short boards that paddle like long boards and long boards that turn like short boards it s load of rubbish really they might have characteristics of but if you put me on and longboard next to me on any grovel board it's a no brainer which is on the wave firs and me on any shortboard vs me on any longboard is always going to be able to turn faster.. Just science.. :-P lol Yeah seaside and beyond looks like a lot of fun. Ohhh I forgot to say I have ordered a party crasher 6'10" just under 50 Litres. It's like a crowd killer but less rocker and more tail. Kinda half way between the smooth operator and the crowd killer it's like a stretched rocket.Yeah you will love the RNF I rekon.. Mine goes great. it's a decent amount of board but the carry and smoothness and speed between turns is really nice. If anything you might find the RNF a decent bit of volume but I honestly like mine just as much as my seaside sometimes more but for different reasons it's definitely a little slower turning but it's a notch up on flow and glide and speed and just feels right to me. Be interesting to see what one went like volume for volume might even out seaside the seaside but not sure.. Feel great nd gives you a good wave count on the right day still doesn't have the low end of the bean bag but not far off and if you have a longboard your all set anyways. Ha ha lol My daily... That's a joke right :-P lol I swap almost every session :-) lol and now with the ones I make myself too. I have a set of go tos but that's fairly extensive too. Wingnut noseride, skindog blender, 7' Sadhana Piggy, Bean Bag, RNF, puddle jumper, Psycho/quiver killer

[@lawson45uk]

@@genomcnerney9673 Ah you have a back injury too that sucks mate I know how that is after a badly prolapsed disk. We might have already discussed this sorry my memory is poohs.. Yeah our wave isn't the best but it's on the door step and surfs when it's small and windy so its definitely still surfable in a lot of conditions

[@genomcnerney9673]

@@lawson45uk ya I went through years of pain after l4,5 fractures, herniated discs car accident. chiropractic, physical therapy, surgery and finally found a doctor who helped. My pain is pretty much gone now! If you get a chance check out dr Howard schubiner on you tube. It's hard to believe this stuff works! Main takeaway I got was the power of the mind can heal. And no fear! That party crasher sounds like it might be fun. I love trying different boards, they all have a unique feeling. Your lucky you live close to the sea! Enjoy it for me. Hopefully I will move back to the oregon coast when the kids get older but for now I'm grateful I'm close enough. Pumped on this rnf. I got it at 43 litres in Hope's it will be a good groveller for waist to head high. The crowd killer is good in bigger waves but I'm thinking the S&B will be a good time in everything knee to overhead.

[@kaidame3499]

Ha Mate you speak right from my soul. You easily get lost nowadays in the countless offers. Not only in the lost catalog. A wild mix between real improvement and just the random new stick each season. We have funny phrases for such things over hear in Germany ... you probably as well in NZ. You might remember I was about to pull the trigger on a SeaSide last autumn. Winter kicked in and I got over stuff to ride on. Now with those strange times not all FireWire Boards/Sizes are available over hear and I just looked for alternatives. My local shop mentioned the the Lost RNF Retro as well...Shop tested and approved they say. At least a shape you not regret if you got it a view liters +. You mentioned the same in the comparison between the seaside and the RNF Retro. Still unsure with the right size on the SeaSide but might find something more user-friendly within the lost catalog. Even further back in the lost history I found the Puddle Jumper RP. A Board which appears to me with no mambochambo. Straight and easy. Did you ever surfed this one? How do you like the Carbon Wrap Epoxy version from Lost in terms of durability? Or do you still prefer a heavier glassing at the end? Cheers! - Kai

[@lawson45uk]

Hey buddy :-) Yeah it can all get a bit much sometimes aye. They have even renewed some of the classics which I like Rocket and Lazy Boy. I always wanted a PJ RP made a lot of sense to me. Definitely recommend an RNF Retro. One of my absolute favorites for local waves. It would have made a much bigger impact if it had been released at a different time to the seaside phenom too. Yeah carbon wraps are nice for pop and small wave performance for sure they have changed construction over the years too not had any issues with mine. If your riding a lot of choppy waves maybe still be looking at PU Poly but I do like Carbon Wrap too. Cheers.

[@kylestevens8228]

Everything I’ve heard about this board is really good for what I’m looking for. Great smaller wave board and good for Florida waves definitely gonna get one soon. Still deciding between a 5’10” and 5’6”

[@stdavis22]

did you get one? what are your dims? Im 5'9" and 145 lbs in VA beach, stuck between getting a 5'4 and 5'8

[@kylestevens8228]

@@stdavis22 didn’t get one, but sounds like you’d fit good on a 5’8-6’0 probably

[@lawson45uk]

Hi Sorry for the late reply just finding the few messages that slipped through the net unanswered. Glad to see you guys helping each other out :-) Yeah deffo a cool wee board, paddles well, nice and fast. I had a clear out so had to let mine go.

[@kylestevens8228]

@@lawson45uk so I heard, I ended up buying myself a 5’11” quiver killer, highly recommend if you’re looking for something good for small mush to over head glass or even choppy conditions

[@foxgd9117]

@@kylestevens8228 recommend going smaller because that’s way to much liters not going to lie

[@mattsmith464]

Thanks for the review! Very helpful for us weekend warriors out there. Looks like the Hydra is not quite the same but in a similar class as the Seaside? How would you compare the two? Seaside still puts a smile on my face... riding it way more than anything else these days. Cheers.

[@lawson45uk]

Yeah mate.. I mess around with boards too much for me own good sometimes the first 2 weeks I had my Seaside I was like that's it dont need anything else for the medium wave range. Had sessions where I felt just as confident as I do on my more performance boards but had some slippery sessions too think it depends on the waves .. Hydra definitely has a bit more grovel but yeah I would say you could definitely talk about them with some comparisons for sure. Though there kinda backwards versions of each other one huge tail the other huge nose :-P lol The seaside is smoother to turn I would say and still fast... Having a bean bag already I should really be Bean Bag tiny stuff seaside chest to head and a bit and quiver /psycho killer over that and done but I take a differnet board out almost every surf and now i'm making my own too I never really get used to aboard properly though there are always favorites and to be fait lots that ride very similar .. Guess I can adjust quickly too .. i.e. i'm below average enough to still be below average on any board :-) lol

[@mattsmith464]

@@lawson45uk Cool, thanks. Definitely a heap of volume in the nose on the Seaside and I hear you on the turns and depends on the type of wave. But I think you confirmed I'm still stoked on it and my partner will be happy I'm sticking with the current quiver! Always fun to try new boards if you can and I think you learn a lot, but yeah it definitely takes some time to feel a board out and get the most out of it. Finally getting used to the Machado quad set in the Seaside and I find it also goes great with a standard quad set, a bit less drive in better waves and easier to control. Keep up the good work and you self shapes are looking sweet. Cheers.

[@williamstraney9127]

thanks for the reviews! Out of the Hydra and the Puddle jumper which board is more user friendly?

[@lawson45uk]

Puddle jumper easier to ride and more versatile one of the best boards ever made I rekon cheers

[@nickboutin857]

How was the board in really small weak waves. Like 1 foot knee to waist high. Looking to get a new groveler but not sure what to get with all the options out there. Where im from we have really weak waves with a very mushy face, meaning not steep at all lol. Thanks for the review, really gives some insight not hearing some insanely good surfer only rambling about the features.

[@lawson45uk]

Hey buddy. Cheers for the support :-) Yeah you need either a Bean Bag or a longboard for that stuff in my opinion. Deoends on your hight, weight, ability to generate speed etc but if your pretty average and on pretty average waves I haven't found anything that would match the Bean Bag appart from maybe someting oversized in the Potato family but since they dont do the sweet anymore I would call the Bean Bag my number 1 Grovel choice for average people in average waves. It's sometimes even better than a longboard in the junky stuff as you can still find little pockets to do a turn on and get through the slops into a clean section nicely.. That's not gonna be a super performer but it will carry speed flow nicely and handle chop well. Hope that helps. The Hydra would be ok but I would be looking for waist to head high for my ability on the Hydra. Bean bag will handle head high too on a slow wave. Hope that Helps. Cheers.

[@youdigsurf]

i agree with you having a board the right size, doesnt make you work a lot about your foot placement. You should definitively try the tomo evo this board is magic i had it in 5'9 take it a little bit bigger for grovelling. Very interesting review between bean bag and pj . Bottom look the one machado was doing board eat board, but share some similarity with the lost japan exclusive shonen warrior. You are right some board are made to work well in lower size, that the case apparently with the bean bag . Btw did you see the new potato , twice baked , seem interesting dims are funky too.

[@kickamatus]

i have evo and thinking to get hydra or twiced baked ... im not sure which one to buy

[@lawson45uk]

@@kickamatus Yeah the twice Baked is looking good aye.. Dan man grovel boards are always a safe bet.

[@lawson45uk]

Yeah I had an evo think it was 5'10" maybe 5'11" Probably should have spent longer getting use to it but didn't find it paddled that well and was hard to duck dive. Did have a nice glide adn feel on a nice clean wall though we just dont get that many of those. Actually dont see them in the line up hardly at all at our local. Guys I know that like them are in much more powerful waves than we get locally it's mainly a longboard wave here. Yeah it is a bit board eat board too aye. lol Yeah the Japanese get some cool models just for them aye they obviously like edgy designes. Yeah twice baked looks cool Dan Man grovel boards always a pretty safe bet. Bit over the Timber Tech myself Probably would have been more keen on Helium

[@kickamatus]

@@lawson45uk EVO is bit tricky when its come to sizing , oversize EVO is not that fun, smaller you ride it more its shine and its need bit of punch from wave its not groveler board , and i agree duck diving is bit difficult . do you baked your PU board on sun? i recently watch video from Steward surfboards where shaper designers is recommending put PU board on sun for all day to get much harder top deck , its make sense , when you put new board on direct sun glassing and PU blank will baked and become much harder more ding resistant . link below fromkzbin.info/www/bejne/bImqfaqfnbGnhdk

[@lawson45uk]

Matus Kicka Yeah mate. I just ride a really slow wave here so hard to get anything going that needs a decent wave that you have to ride short. My 45 litres bean bag handles overhead here to give you an idea 🤣 I have seen that video aye. Interesting. Nah my PU poly boards I don't touch them they come mint from Tommy so no need to. Never had any bother. The ones I make myself are epoxy so it's all about heat in the cure but I think just keeping all boards boards out of direct sun full heat is the safest bet since he's saying you get one go. Who knows if it's the second go 😬😅 lol most boards are well cured by the time they have been through the full shaping leadtime process less a one man band does it or your getting a pro service usually days or weeks between the glassing sand final finish and shipping. I'm pretty light on boards since Im always playing with something 😬probably never really get used to any one really properly. Cheers buddy cheers for you support and watching the channel. Much appreciated 👍👌

[@finlaygaches2570]

Hey. i'm having a right mental meltdown over making a decision on sizing of the lost hydra. i've only ridden thrusters before (28L) and this would be my first groveller. I am 5'8" & 68Kg approx. I am stuck between the 5'5" (31L) and 5'6" (33L). i don't want to spend that much and find myself with something that feels too light weight for grovelling but equally i dont want to the opposite and find it too buoyant to throw around a little bit. Since you've ridden this board (and many other grovellers) i would welcome your views. Cheers P

[@lawson45uk]

Hi Sorry for the late reply only just getting round to checking for the messages I have missed. Ohhh well I have so little experience speccing boards for people as light as you it's hard to say if i'm going to be a great help. I have sold board of mine that guys riding 32L have steped up to 40L just depends on your comfort levels. At your weight and if your a decent surfer it's also common for people to hate having too much board as they fell like they can't get a rail in and there not alway keen on the really wide tailed boards. I think 31 would be enough 3 Litres more is significant. 33L also be fine but could put you into that feeling a little over floated territory. It's quite hard to say. Maybe get into your local shop with your existing board and talk to someone that's used to those lower numbers and can give you a little better from experience advice than me. I usually pop and extra couple of litres on a grovel board in general. My Hydra was quite close to my hybrid volume and still paddled well. Hope that helps cheers.

[@seanconnelly1281]

Hey man love the reviews keep it up! Have you had a look at the twice baked by Dan Mann?

[@lawson45uk]

Cheers mate. Yeah not ridden one but seen them in shops and generally a big fan of the Potato range and Dan Manns designs in general to be fair he's a bit of a legend. I have had sweet and baked potatoes for years and sounds like the Twice Baked is a good progression on them so suspect it would be a good board. Cheers.

[@JaredKnapp1]

Hi. Do you think the beanbag has a lower wave range?

[@lawson45uk]

100% Bean Bag is the grovelliest of Grovellers :-) Also one of the best board in small choppy conditions. All depends on board size and wave type but the Bean Bag is a real grovel board some are just small wave boards. My Bean Bag definitely rides smaller waves than my RNF retro too which is also a magic board I really enjoy riding.

[@depenz]

How does this board compare to a firewire tomo?

[@lawson45uk]

Hi.. Which one? I think I have answered one about the El Tommo fish before they are quite different boards... Tail shape similar but width, Rocker and volume per length etc is very different.. This is more on the lines of a small wave design somewhere between a puddle jumper and a fish like the RNF Retro. It's one of the flatter designs of rocker and carries plenty of volume and width. Hope that helps.. I haven't had many Tommos I have really clicked with many people absolutely love them but I think you have to be good enough to ride them short and have waves with a little push more like Aussie. California, UK , NZ i think we need a bit flatter rockers for when it's small to medium for us. Hope that helps

[@jaysonwebsther2698]

how can you compare this with the firewire El tomo?

[@lawson45uk]

Hi Sorry do you mean How can you as in with supprise or how do you as in you would like to know what I think? There pretty different boards to me Tommo is just a similar looking shape.. I would say this is much more of a grovel board and the Tommo much more of a modern performance take on a fish design. This won't need as much of a wave to get it going. tommo is more narrow and refined and longer per volume I think too. I only made the comparison myself as plenty of people seem to have both on the radar when they are looking. Cheers.

[@jaysonwebsther2698]

@@lawson45uk thanks for clarity. I though the hydra was built to counter the El Tommo since almost they are more identical.

[@lawson45uk]

@@jaysonwebsther2698 Ah cool sorry I understand the question now.. Yeah that was why i mentioned it I think for a lot of people on the surface they appear to be quite a similar board but they are definitely quite different for example for me the Tommo board would be a whole inch more narrow and 2-3 inches longer Nose and tail would be more narrow, rails would likely be more refined and there is probably more rocker... I think that tail shape is so unique that people focus more on that than the rest of the design.. Pretty sure the Hydra I would ride in poor to average waves waist to head high and the Tommo I probably wouldnt expect it to go decent till chest to shoulder high.. Hope that helps a bit.. Cheers.

[@MichaelFargher]

How does the puddlefish compare to the hydra?

[@lawson45uk]

Yeah fairly similar concept really but the Hydra is a little flatter rocker, a little shorter, a little wider in the tail and a little more parallel and obviously the tail shape and side cut have a bit of lineage to the RNF Retro.. Most people dont realise how much rocker is in some of the Puddle series of boards.. They are generally designed to feel like a step down from a hybrid rather than a full on different board that might have some quirks and different feelings to ride that can either add to the fun or take some figuring out.. They all work though.. For some reason I had problems getting my puddle fish over the lip into waves that were really small and prefer the seaside the Hydra gets in good and goes fast.. It's actually a smaller feeling nose than the puddle fish too.. Hope that helps... Favorites for me would be Bean bag for really small junky stuff then RNF retro is great and OG puddle jumper still one of the best boards ever I rekon.. Then go to Uber XL or killer series if your a lost fan.. Hope that helps

[@MichaelFargher]

So would you chose an RNF over the hydra for 1-4’ surf (knee to chest)?

[@lawson45uk]

@@MichaelFargher Yeah definitely for me personally but does depend on the style you want. For knee to chest which we would call about 1-2 ft here most shortboards are going to struggle so the better it grovels the better and that's the Bean bag then the RNF then maybe hydra and puddle jumper .. The bean bag is the only shortboard I use for under around waist to chest high here.

[@rengo3390]

Fish paddle jumper or hydra for a beginner small waves surfer?

[@lawson45uk]

Hi. Depends on your weight age ability etc but if your a genuine beginner in small waves you should probably be starting with something more like a 7’10” fun board or mini mal that’s beginner friendly and ride that as your only board for at least a year. You will get more waves and progress much quicker that way. Something like the puddle jumper might be good for someone that’s making the move from that point to intermediate as a first shorter board. Cheers.

[@rengo3390]

@lawson45uk which one you will pick for you in extreme small waves?

[@felipz24]

How did this compare to the rnf retro?

[@lawson45uk]

Hi I think I might have answered this somewhere else too but yeah there are some similarities in the tail design with the side cut and width of the tail but the nose and the ride style and concaves are different. It’s hard to compare really accurately as mine are 2 quite different lengths and volumes.. Hydra is a little more whippy and snappy so kinda like a RNF Retro tail but more like a flat rockered puddled jumper in other aspects. RNF retro is definitely more fish feeling In it’s ride, DNA and how it generates speed and carries it through turns is a little more flow and fish orienated. The RNF retro has a lot of volume up front too compared to the Hydra… I really like my RNF, enjoy the Hydra too but still figuring out a few of the nuances and feelings where the RNF is just a really good fish that performs pretty well too.. Smoothness and flow is excellent on RNF. Hydra is like a short RNF flat rockered puddle jumper blend 😊 Hope that makes some kind of sense. Cheers.

[@ampvlogs2320]

For perspective as it relates your comments about volume, can you tell me your height weight?

[@lawson45uk]

Sure mate. I'm 5'7" about 84kgs I ride pretty high volume compared to most thought to be fair. Slow weak waves and about the same with my ability unfortunately :-)

[@ampvlogs2320]

@@lawson45uk thanks. I am 5'9" and 85kgs. I am an average short board surfer from Florida. I recently moved to Wisconsin and started surfing Lake Michigan. Freshwater and generally weak waves. Most of the year I will be wearing a 5.5/4 wetsuit, mitts & booties. I am looking at a 6'1" Hydra with a volume of 45.5ltr. Hoping the upscale in volume is about right.

[@lawson45uk]

@@ampvlogs2320 yeah mine is a pretty good paddler. Not sure how well that one will upscale. Could be ok but might get corky. If you don't mind a little extra length and your wages are weak the RNF retro could be on your radar. I have a 6'2" and it paddles and flows super good. 43.6 I think it's volume. Suspect you would like it

[@ampvlogs2320]

Thanks! I decided to go with the 5’11” Hydra (Lib Tech) at 43.5. Thanks for the help.

[@lawson45uk]

@@ampvlogs2320 yeah nice. That sounds like a good middle ground got volume too. Should be plenty for you but still not over corky plus lib techs are super indestructible and still have a good feel 👍 let me know how you like it

[@searcher415]

What split keels did you run in this board? I picked up a 5’7 in the lib tech construction. Been running it with FCS power twins and 2 trailers. Needs more pivot. Would the RFCs or Matt Biolos fins loosen it up a bit?

[@lawson45uk]

Hi Brandon. Which rear trailers have you been running? If you have been running 2 of the trailers from a power twin it should be pretty loose already. Split keels will possibly tighten it up from there if anything. If your running two normal rear trailers with the power twins in the front then yeah that's a lot of fin. Sometimes got smaller riders on the smaller boards and volume you might want to run something closer to a quad set you might put in something a bit more performance like maybe a medium reactor quad set or something or yeah possible a biolos set too.

[@searcher415]

@@lawson45uk Some off brand plastic 3.5” trailers a friend had lying around. They’re flat foil. I will try it with medium quads and after that a single trailer prior prior to getting anything else.

[@lawson45uk]

@@searcher415 Yeah that sounds like a good plan. I'm guessing the 3.5 trailers are probably a similar area to the 3.5 or bigger so might not be too much difference. Then like you say if you go one trailer and no trailer then you will know how much looser it starts to get. I have a friend that's a bit lighter and rides a smaller board than me still likes the twin and single trailer in his Gerkin which is similar. I personally always like a quad in those types of board. I just think the tail width is much better to turn with some fin further back even if it means losing a little fin area at the front to achieve that. In order of stiff to loose but bearing in mind the stiffer ones will probably suit a heavier rider and bigger board I would personally go. Split Keel, Stretch SF4, A more regular quad set say performer, JS Biolos etc or a reactor set if you want more upright. Even the split keel can better to ride than people expect as they have a reactor medium rear quad anyway and the front is very swept back. I dont like them mysef but a lot of people also like the Machado quads so maybe see if you can borrow anything from the list above to try too before you splash out. Cheers.

[@searcher415]

@@lawson45uk Awesome, thanks for the advice. Appreciate it!

[@surfininmy40s]

How does this compare to the seaside?

[@lawson45uk]

Yeah both good small wave boards. I would give the seaside the nod just slightly myself but probably depends on what your looking for and your level of surfing and the volume you ride. The seaside is obviously a fish design that preforms well for its shape. Hydra is a little more like a cross between an RNF retro and a puddle fish / puddle jumper kind of design. Both paddle great and go well in small waves. Probably best to watch a few reviews from Noel salas and real watersports and some of mine and see which appeals to you most if your considering both. If you want something fishy the seaside is definitely a great board. If your more keen for something different and like a mix of a puddle jumper and a fish in a pretty radical and unique design you might like the hydra. Cheers

[@surfininmy40s]

@@lawson45uk thanks for your reply..the hydra seems heavy compared to my seaside. Does that affect performance at all or is the hydra still easy to perform turns?

[@lawson45uk]

@@surfininmy40s yeah the helium technology is super light and really lively and I would say the seaside is probably a little easier to turn and figure out too and more consistent but I also like the hydra I'm assuming the hydra is in standard PU poly. Seaside will be pretty durable too. If you like the seaside go for it. It would be my choice out of the two personally too but I am partial to a dish shape. They are both great board choices but yeah I would personally give the seaside the node slightly myself. Seaside is EPS epoxy with balas and palonia parabolic stringer and a tough deck skin so if light weight and pop is a priority that's usually the feel they have compared to pu poly. Sone people just like the feel weight flex and surety of a PU poly. Personally I feel Epoxy is good in smaller cleaner waves and prefer a PU poly in bigger waves or chop. The helium goes pretty well all round and especially well in small clean waves.

[@breezemalibu8028]

How'd you compare this thing to the Seaside?

[@lawson45uk]

Hi.. Great user name :-) hmmm tough one to explain... The Hydra is a little more quirky and takes a little figuring out.. It’s a more parallel and less curved back end and also isn’t as much of a wide point forward board. The Seaside is pretty easy to ride has a lot of speed and performs really well for a fishy shape. The Hydra back end has some similarities in feel to the RNF Retro and the front is a little more like a flat rockered version of a puddle jumper both paddle well and carry good speed. If anything I would say the Hydra feels a little more like it has 2 stages to the turn. It starts out fairly rounded and drive orientated then seems to project up later in the turn.. I think it would be a lot down to the riders style which they may prefer but I would give the Seaside the nod for me personally. Hope that helps, sorry I can’t be a little more descriptive. The Seaside just feels like a really good fish so if that’s what your after…

[@breezemalibu8028]

@@lawson45uk To be honest mate i'm trying to find reasons not to go for the Seaside just so I can feel like i'm doing something different, but it's not easy, everyone loves that bloody board. Tempted to go to find a custom shaper and ask them to make me a replica with whatever twist they want to put on it.

[@lawson45uk]

@@breezemalibu8028 Actually the RNF Retro is an equally excellent board so if your looking for different I would put that on your Radar. Double step and side cut it's a really interesting board and also caries amazing speed through turns. Hard to direct compare as mine is oversized but I always enjoy riding it... I think if someone else tries to copy a seaside it probably falls short so yeah maybe consider the RNF Retro..Might be a wee bit less performance but it's available in PU so if you dont like the Helium EPS EPoxy so much or want to save a few $$ What sort of volume do you ride?

[@breezemalibu8028]

@@lawson45uk Helium is a big selling point for me actually. My usual rides are a 7'6 Bunty (had it for donkey's years, bought it thinking it was a mini-mal when i had no idea what dims to look other other than length, but the thing's built like a credit card. Can't be more than 42L and probably ready for retirement given its condition) and a 7'2 lorentz that's around 45L (bit of an odd hybrid with some nice fat rails and middling rocker, but quite a sharp nose and tapered tail). Was initially thinking of getting a more cruisey fish as a step-down but kept reading about the Seaside and its versitility and how well it uses its volume. Paddling is a big thing for me as I'm a decent swimmer with good cardio but genetics has blessed me with noodle arms so i'll never be shifting a lot of water. Means i'm light as a feather though so at 5'9 i'm under 10st. Would be a dream to have something that I can have fun with on small days but also duck dive without too much trouble when some swell comes in, I'm a Cornish lad so glassy dry hair sessions aren't exactly common. As an intermediate who's moving into shorties, would a 5'7/5'8 seaside with 33/35Ls and a nice wide deck suit me? Love your reviews though mate. Feels a bit more like a conversation than a sales pitch.

[@lawson45uk]

@@breezemalibu8028 Yeah cool so your gonna be stepping down significantly in length. I take it you have tried something short and have no problems. Sounds like you will be all good from your weight and fitness levels. Just making the point that something really short even in the same volume won’t build momentum in the same way but the flip side is you can duck dive and kick paddle. You just have to learn to paddle towards the peak and line up rather than paddle into the wave forwards like on a longer board. Your probably already past that stage so apologies if I’m telling you nothing new but thought it’s worth mentioning as it’s one of the bigger adjustments to make in surfing progression. Short high volume will make you float all good but once boards get really short trim speed reduces. So in saying that the Seaside still sounds great for you. As you say, light, stable excellent use of volume, develops plenty of speed. I don’t pump very well and we have slow waves so I want a board to go without needing to be worked too hard. Yup 5’7” - 5’8” sounds like a good pick for balance for your weight. It’s not a board you want to ride massively over volume but also not smart going tiny and expecting it to go in a tiny wave so sounds sensible to me. Waves are constantly wind affected here too and it’s a beachie so same as paddling out is paddling out. I think your on the right track mate. If you haven’t and can try something small first have a go on a mates etc if you have then sounds like your all set to me 😊 Thanks mate, appreciate your support. Yeah it’s all my opinion not my sponsors (cause I don’t have any 😊 lol) and I’m by no means an expert.

[@brentthompson5235]

Who’s copying who at the Zoo?

[@lawson45uk]

Hey buddy. It was you that has a big hypot aye? I was trying to reply on that comment but can’t for some reason. If you get a chance could you pop onto the mid length review and chip in to help the guy that’s choosing between a 6’10” hydro and a crowd killer. I would be a bit concerned that a big hydro might put the wide point in an awkward spot but have never ridden one that big so unfair to make any assumptions. Maybe you could Help as in guessing your happy with yours cheers 👍

[@brentthompson5235]

@@lawson45uk Hi, thanks for getting back to me. The Hypto Krypto im riding is 7.0 x 23 x 3.5625 = 61.52 volume. In future flex. I’m weighing in at 114 kg post Xmas.