LOST BLACK SHEEP THE NEW CARBON TECHNOLOGY
Surfboard technology has come a long way over the years, with advancements in materials and design leading to faster, more responsive, and more durable boards. Lost Surfboards, a leader in the industry, has recently introduced their latest innovation: Blacksheep Technology. This new technology utilizes advanced materials and construction techniques to create surfboards that are both lightweight and strong, with a responsive and lively feel in the water. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Black sheep Technology and what sets these boards apart from the competition
LOST BLACKSHEEP REVIEW
Lost Surfboards’ latest innovation, Blacksheep Technology, is revolutionizing the surfboard manufacturing industry. BlackSheepBuilt boards are crafted using virgin EPS that is incredibly lightweight, weighing only 1.5lb, and are reinforced with the highest quality “Triax-NCF” carbon fiber for a fast and responsive ride. The boards are designed to be both lightweight and flexible while also being surprisingly strong.
FEATURES LOST CARBON SURFBOARDS
- The deck of the board is laminated with “Triax” Carbon, with a short bottom lap, and is sandwiched between multiple layers of 4oz “D-size” fiberglass for added durability and performance. This combination results in a forgiving flex and a dampened overall feel underfoot.
- The unique performance of BlackSheepBuilt boards is attributed to the Triax Carbon, which is made up of a triple-axis +30/-30°/0 layup. This multi-directional carbon fiber controls torsional force from rail to rail and provides a lively “stringer” effect due to the 0° nose to tail fibers. Additionally, the +30/-30° fibers help to speed up the return of torsional twisting through the length of the board.
- Unlike traditional woven fabrics, multi-axial carbon fiber is made up of alternately aligned layers of unidirectional carbon reinforcement. This allows the fibers to lay flatter, retain less resin, remain smoother and straighter, and ultimately result in a more natural flex. With no 90-degree rail to rail carbon, which creates weak points and easy fissures for deck buckles, cracks, and breaks, BlackSheepBuilt boards are exceptionally strong and stable underfoot and along the rail line.
- Overall, the combination of multi-axial carbon fiber and fiberglass creates a board that feels both lively and exciting, yet familiar and controllable. The +30/-30° fabric orientation allows for greater drive, connection, and control with the edges and perimeter of the board, making Blacksheep Technology a game-changer for surfers looking for a high-performance ride.
CAUTION: Carbon fiber surfboards are prone to heat absorption! Due to their dark color, they have a tendency to absorb sunlight and heat up quickly. BlackSheepBuilt boards are crafted using lightweight EPS foam and a carbon fiber shell, making them a high-end surfboard construction that requires special care.
It is important to avoid leaving them in your car while running errands or exposed to direct sunlight while lounging on the beach, as they may overheat and develop bubbles. Protect your investment by storing them in a heat-reflective day bag and bringing the bag with you to the beach. If your board does get dinged, allow it to dry out and repair it properly. With proper care and maintenance, these boards can withstand everyday wear and tear, retain their lightweight feel, remain lively on the waves, and provide countless days of surfing enjoyment.
Where to buy Lost BLACK SHEEP surfboards?
You can order your custom Lost Surfboards with a 4-week delivery time on Singlequiver. Here are the four available models of surfboards with Black Sheep Technology.
BLACK SHEEP LOST RNF 96
The Lost RNF 96 was a breakthrough design for Lost Surfboards. During fall 1994 to 1995, the team created numerous versions of “fish” designs that eventually led to the refinement of the original RNF. Hand shaped and not the most consistent creations, the RNF-’96s became the basis for offering the design to people outside their own circle of friends. These boards were the same ones that Chris Ward and Cory Lopez took to the North Shore, marking their indelible mark on the surfing universe.
The RNF-’96, while based with reverence to the original “fish” design, is not entirely compliant. The design was developed for Chris and Cory in the year leading up to the 1997 surf film, 5’5” x 19 1/4”. Although few specimens from this era still exist, the team tried to recreate and execute what looked and felt right, and what would work best.
The key difference between Lost Surfboards’ RNF and most others from the 90s and beyond is the fact that the outline is more based on MR-inspired, high performance, competitive-minded twin fins of the late 70s/early 80s. The relatively pulled-in tails were developed for maximum performance and control, not just in small surf, but in all size and shape of waves.
The RNF-’96 features rocker curves that remain true to the original proven curves, and outline curves with more precision, including added curve and width around 6” from the tail. Unlike most all other “fish” designs, the tail width on Lost Surfboards’ RNF was closer to that of a typical HP Shortboard, allowing for much more control off the tail. The classic single concave to double concave, accelerating vee combination are defining design elements that hold true to adherence.
In re-creating these boards, the thickness flow, deckline, rails, and tail foil were all over the map in those rudimentary hand shape days. Each board was different, with most of them having noticeably different curves and thickness from one rail to the other. The team went with their gut feeling on what would work best to create a consistent and even better surfboard, faithful to the varied RNF of 1996. The RNF-’96 is an all-around, rip-able fun machine that is suitable for a wide level of surfers.
BLACK SHEEP RAD RIPPER
Introducing LOST RAD RIPPER, the latest addition to our “Post Modern Retro” surfboard collection. This board is a scaled-down version of the Retro Ripper, designed for everyday surfing in small, subpar conditions.
To create the RAD RIPPER, we started with the Retro Ripper and made a few modifications. We lowered the entry rocker to allow for fast paddling, early entry, easy gliding, and quickness out of the gate. Additionally, we replaced the speed controlling round tail with a wide, planing squash tail, providing ample lift and surface area for small waves.
As someone who grew up surfing in the 80s, I’ve always appreciated the ease of use and performance of short boards from that era. The RAD RIPPER retains a healthy amount of tail rocker, cut through by an aggressive double concave, adding even more lift and squirt under the rear foot. The result is a super-fast, forgiving, and user-friendly retro board that’s perfect for almost anyone.
Highlighted features of the RAD RIPPER include a flat, stable deck with steep, low apex, tucked soft rails. The slight vee in the nose frees up the low rocker, transitioning into a shallow single concave, then into a deep double concave vee, providing both speed and control. The wide, stable squash tail allows the board to glide effortlessly across anything while holding speed through turns, even in small summer slop. Finally, the forward thickness flow, with a wedged “beak” nose, offers drive and paddle-ability.
BLACK SHEEP SUB DRIVER 2.0
Since its inception, each version of the SUB DRIVER has remained our most successful, small wave competition surfboard. From Kolohe Andino’s 2011 run of 5 WQS event wins (WCT qualification) to Mick Fanning taking notice and famously grabbing one of Kolohe’s discarded SUB DRIVERS, blazing through heats at The Lowers Pro and subsequently claiming the board had “Completely changed his perception of what a competition board can be”. The SUB DRIVER has remained a mainstay of our competitive team rider’s quivers. Year after year, competitors around the world request the SUB DRIVER as a special weapon for the varied and unpredictable WQS surf, yet just about anyone with even modest skills can ride this board as a daily driver.
The SUB DRIVER 2.0 is the latest iteration in the continuing evolution of our most user friendly, pro-formance shortboard. Developed in the soft peeling points of San Clemente, it loves small to average surf and really does well in connecting the dots in mushy points, or weak, broken up beach breaks. A surfboard developed for competitors in sub-par surf, that actually transitions perfectly to everyday surfers.
Our best small wave, performance shortboard just got better!
The SUB DRIVER 2.0 was derived to benefit the Pros, yet it really is perfect for most “Bros”.
Reflecting the small wave demands from Kolohe Andino, Griffin Colapinto and our up and coming team of Jr Pros and WQS Warriors, constant evolution and noticeable updates have brought us to the point where we are now proud to launch the SUB DRIVER 2.0.
Featured updates and adjustments include…
An even wider, more forgiving, nose: Designed to increase forward drive for us mortals and lend more stability for hot shots landing radical airs. The wider nose creates a straighter forward outline which paddles into waves easier and subsequently builds forward momentum faster in sub-par surf.
Smoothed out and re-imagined the wide hip in the tail: Primarily to balance the wider forward outline, it allows more control at speed and a more effortless initiation of bottom turns and cutbacks. The hip is still noticeable and then angles into the wide squash tail. The wide tail creates a stable platform, especially in small waves. The hip breaks the rail line and creates a pivot point to crank tight, powerful turns in lesser surf. Making it easier for us to ride a performance shape even in poor surf.
Added thickness along the center (stringer line) with increased “vee” deck and more refined rails: Lowered rail volume (without lowering overall volume) to encourage radical rail turns and make a more nimble, reactive board that still floats through flats, and surfs forgiving. The thicker centerline under chest aids paddling and makes for more drive off the front foot gas pedal.
A deeper concave in the rear third of the board: The rail rocker transitions from a modest forward concave, to a deeper, more-curvy, rail line through the front fins. It then accelerates upward to a slight vee behind the rear fin and out the tail. There is a good amount of double concave through the tail, adding lift and helping the water squirt through and release.
The SUB DRIVER 2.0’s curvy, hyper extended, rail rocker creates a hinge under the rear foot and counterbalances the low, flat centerline tail rocker, enabling it to be surfed tight and vertical in the pocket, as well as the already speedy down the line drive.
The wide nose and tail block combined with the low tail rocker and generous dims, allow the SUB DRIVER 2.0 to be ridden 1-2” shorter than a DRIVER 2.0 or similar performance shortboard. Now available in standard sizing and the larger scale, SUB DRIVER 2. BRO dims.
If you’re looking for a tried, tested and proven small wave performance machine, look no further than the SUB DRIVER 2.0.
BLACK SHEEP RETRO TRIPPER
Introducing the LOST RETRO TRIPPER, a short and wide surfboard designed to provide ample glide and serve as a fish alternative for confidently riding punchy and powerful waves. With a beaked nose, winged pin tail, mellow retro-rocker, flat deck, and steep downward rails, along with a Twin+1 fin set-up, this board is ideal for good, powerful, hollow, fast, and big waves. However, it remains wide and skatey enough for everyday fun.
Created in early 2021, the RETRO TRIPPER was initially designed for smaller days during a Salina Cruz strike mission in March. After making improvements, more were made for a trip to The Mentawais in April and for team riders around home. STAB Electric Acid requested two boards for the Ho siblings, and feedback from early prototypes was used to refine the design further.
Based off the RetroRipper chassis, the RETRO TRIPPER is significantly shorter, thicker, wider, and has a forward outline. The flat deck, forward outline and foil, steep downward rails, and wide outline make for a stable, easy-paddling momentum machine. The bottom curves, with a soft rolled vee up front, blending to the slightest of single concave though center and gradually receding to a double concaved vee in the tail, combine with a curvy tail rocker and wing enhanced reduction of surface area. These elements align for a forgiving and precise ride that negates the significant volume and allows nimble surfing and high speed in critical sections.
Whether you’re going on a surf trip or heading out to catch waves at your local beach break, the RETRO TRIPPER will deliver. Glassed with single sided opaque laminations and minimalist logos, this board has a stylistically mellow 70s aesthetic that is both stylish and timeless.
LOST BLACK SHEEP WITH IAN CRANE
Below are a couple of videos featuring two surfers from the Lost team putting the new Lost surfboards with Blacksheep Technology to the test.
