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Lib Tech Surfboards

Lib Tech Surfboards

Lib Tech have ventured into the surf world after making their mark in the world of Skiing and Snowboarding. The leaders in innovation and technology have collaborated with Lost Surfboards and the legendary shaper Matt Biolos, to give the already amazing Lost surfboards the most advanced board technology to date.

The dream of any surfer in the world is to have a quality performance surfboard that carries all the features and benefits of a PU surfboard but to have a construction that makes the board extremely strong and durable with no compromise to performance or style. The Lib Tech construction on the surfboards not only looks insanely good but it actually works.

The construction that Lib Tech have come up with has been designed to be the toughest surfboard construction on the planet. Lib Tech has used 31 never used before components, along with their vast experience in the board riding world to create these robust surfboards, while maintaining a focus on being as environmentally friendly as possible.

Within the “ECO ISO Construction” Lib Tech have paid incredible attention to every little detail and haven’t left a stone unturned. From using a Nitrogen Cell Foam, to a crazy strong Bio-Matrix resin, every aspect has been thought through. The Lib Tech boards use a unique Woven Basalt Fibre, that resists heel dents and pressure dings.

The Hex pattern on each board is provided by a Hexzylon Fibre Foam Skin, this again is very strong and adds more toughness to the board. Even features such as the lightest and strongest fin boxes that can take FCS and FCS II fins and the leash plug are changing the game for surfboard constructions across the globe.

Although Libtech had the world leading construction and technology, they did not stop there, for 2020 they have added another feature to the construction of the boards, which is called Bottle Rocket Rails or BRB for short. The rails now have recycled polythene bottles integrated into the technology to all the board a smoother ride and adds to the impact resistance while also heightening the already incredible eco credentials of the Libtech boards.

Taking all this into consideration, the question would be, firstly, “Why buy and choose to ride a Lib Tech Board?”

Simply put, you won’t find a more durable performance surfboard on the market. The Lib Tech surfboards can take all the, day to day causes of PU board damages and thanks to the ECO ISO construction the Lib Tech boards wont even have a mark on them.

Tying this in with the fact that the Lib Tech team collaborated with Matt “Mayhem” Biolos and Lost surfboards, taking a selection of the best-selling shapes in the Lost range and combining the Lib Tech magic with these.

You can travel with the surfboards and have confidence that the can stand up to being dropped inside a board bag by the wonderful airline staff that always handle our boards with such care!

The Lib Tech surfboards appeal to almost anyone looking to surf. You can purchase this board for a grom and know that without giving the board 100% care, it won’t come back with chunks out of it, the seasoned surfer can purchase this board knowing it can take the heel damaged caused when stomping airs and popping up.

Even the Kooks can surf this board and ride into anyone or anything and they will still have a board fully intact! As you can see, we have had a demo board in and you are able to stand on the board and it just takes the punishment in its stride and continues to look as good as new.

Lib Tech themselves have even driven a car over the surfboard and you wouldn’t be able to tell anything had happened to the board at all.

Lib Tech x Lost Surfer standing on surfboard

 Another quick note, for 2020 Libtech now offer certain models of boards with Futures fin plugs. You can get the Lost X Libtech Quiver Killer and Puddle Jumper HP with the new fin system.

 

Eco Credentials

Lib Tech x Lost Surfboards Eco

Traditional surfboard construction is delicate and the build process is toxic and unhealthy, sad but true.

12 years ago Mike Olson set out to make a stronger, more durable environmentally friendly surfboard. In the process, he basically rewrote the book on surfboard construction.

There are 31 pieces used to construct the ECO IMPACTO surfboards and they are all new to the surf industry.

The Lib Tech construction of Thermo Pressure Fusion Process creates a durable, environmentally friendly surfboard structure that doesn’t detract from what you want a surfboard to do.

The latest development is MBC – magnesium basalt carbon construction this yields the best performance characteristics of polyester:

  • Flex and dampness but in a more thoughtful construction.
  • The magnesium fibre improves the overall impact resistance and the carbon composite stringer matches the flex that you’d feel in a new PU board and importantly it will hold this feel holds it for the life of the board.
  • Our favourite feature is the Nitrogencell foam, its strong, light and most importantly its waterproof.
  • If you hole the board the blank won’t soak up water and take days to drain and dry before you can repair it and surf again, this is a major issue with some epoxy boards but happily not with Lib Tech.

Plus 25-40% is recycled material and all off cuts at the factory are recycled too.

Along with using recycled off cuts and other materials, Libtech now fuse the rails of there boards with the BRB (Bottle Rocket Rails) construction, which is where they use recycled plastic bottles to give the boards a smoother ride and this also levels of the durability of the rails against impact.

There is loads to talk about regarding this aspect of Lib Tech surfboards but we won’t get too deep into it here, all the info is on the Lib Tech website.

The Lost x Lib Tech colab range

Rather than run you through every board in the range we’re focusing on the new additions but as you already know the existing range rocks (with a couple of exceptions that we wouldn’t sell top you!!) there is a comprehensive review of these boards and videos online:

  1. K.A Sword-Fish
  2. Mason Ho Little Wing
  3. Crowd Killer
  4. Rocket Redux
  5. Hydra
  6. Sabo-Taj
  7. Freak Flag Bean Bag
  8. Puddle Jumper HP
  9. Puddle Fish
  10. Puddle Jumper
  11. Quiver Killer
  12. Glydra
  13. RNF 96
  14. California Twin Pin

 

Surfboards

Lib Tech x Lost Swordfish

Some people sat three is a crowd, and others say too many cooks spoil the broth, well when you are designing a surfboard and the three chefs are Matt Biolos, Kolohe Andino and the masterminds at Libtech, the results prove that in this case, three was a party and the broth has come out in the form of a incredible surfboard.

The Lost X Libtech Swordfish is a performance daily driver that is packed full of fun and speed. You can turn the board as hard as you like and the performance and response you get its phenomenal. The fish tail allows the board to pick up weaker waves but the outline allows manoeuvrability in even the smaller, weaker waves.  

For a board that you can rely on, to surf in almost anything, from thigh high waves to 2-3ft overhead, then this is the answer. Surfers of all shapes, sizes and ability levels can jump on the Swordfish and tear.

With a shape that blends all the great aspects that you want in a "go-to" board, mixed with the most durable construction you can buy, the final product is a surfboard that hits hard and is heaps of fun.

We would highly recommend trying this board.

 

Lib Tech x Lost Mason Ho Little Wing

The Little Wing from Lost X Lib Tech has been made and released in Lib Tech’s construction, along side the PU construction at the same exact time. This is probably down to Mason’s rock hopping and shallow reef surfing antic’s playing right into the hands of how strong the Lib Tech boards are.

Mason’s DNA runs throughout this great little surfboard. The Little Wing from Lost Surfboards blends performance with fun. Taken from previous models like the Voodoo Child and the Baby Buggy and combined into a shortboard that can be surfed in beach breaks, reefs and points.

This is not a small wave board, its more suited to waves with good shape and decent power, think wave pool settings from Advanced Plus and above, or a decent French beachie or anywhere in Indo!

Along with the design, Lib Tech have added their new Techno Pop technology to this model. Being a more high-performance model, Lib Tech’s quest to add more and more performance to their already insanely durable construction married up perfectly with the Little Wing. Lib Tech have kept the process is top secret, but we have inside knowledge that tells us this new tech includes a new ultralight “Techno Treated” performance enhancing upgrade the Thermo Fusion Honeycomb power panel and precision flex tuning with 8 bands of spread tow carbon on top and bottom. With the Techno POP on Mason Ho’s Hendrix inspired high performance thumb tail short board the “Little Wing” that is guaranteed to take your surfing to new heights.

 

 

Lib Tech x Lost Crowd Killer 

 Unlike the Little Wing, the Crowd Killer was released in PU and was a big hit. Since then, and no doubt due to the boards success, the choice of adding this as one of the Lost X Libtech models was a no brainer.

Joining a long list of Mid-Lengths on the market, the idea behind creating the Crowd Killer is not hard to work out, look at the name of the board. The team at Lost Surfboards wanted to create a board that would beat the crowds.

They achieved this by making a board tat paddles with immense speed, heaps of fun and kept the ability for the board to turn off a rail.

If you break down the outline and profile of the Crowd Killer, you will find a pretty one off outline. The board has a wider profile in the front third to promote early wave entry, a flat middle section to carry speed and then you find a tail that has been pulled in, and has enough lift to engage your back foot to throw the board about.

You may find similar models on the market, but none will boast having the mid length abilities that we are searching for paired with the outstandingly strong Libtech construction, and this makes the Libtech X Lost Crowd Killer a stand out choice when looking for a mid-length.

 

Lib Tech x Lost Rocket Redux

A resurrected model, improved in shape and performance. The previous Rocket iterations have all been highly successful and loved by Pro and Joe alike. The new Rocket Redux continues this tradition of being a favourite of many too.

The Lost X Libtech Rocket Redux holds its DNA of original models but has had some tweaks for performance improvements without sacrificing any fun. The key changes have been tuning up and refining the rail curves along with a clean and sharp rail to add extra hold and speed.

Surfer’s really click with the RR and you can really drive this board from the back foot. Using the lift in the tail along with the now signature diamond / rocket tail shape, you get speed and response off your back foot.

The front half of the board with the low entry rocker and wide point centre of forward promote speed out of nowhere. The board flies as soon as your feet hit the wax. Combining this with the performance from the tail allows this genius board to work in a wide range of waves and excel when the waves are average at best.

A true do it all, one board quiver with more fun and speed then most. The Rocket Redux is a must try!

 

Lib Tech x Lost Hydra 

The Hydra is fast! Think Firewire EVO fast.

This sick little board was a stand-out from the moment we saw it, it immediately looked 'right' and felt perfect under the arm for a summer slop smasher!

The Hydra incorporates many proven features from the Lost back catalogue of small wave fish and sized down hybrids like the Puddle Jumper, Bottom Feeder, Pelagic and more recently the RNF Retro. The outline is close to a traditional fish (apart from the tail!) and the rocker as you'd expect is low for paddle speed and early wave entry.

The most noticeable design details which set the Hydra apart from the myriad of fish out there are the double concave, chined "Hydra Hull" and the "Split Diamond" tail.

This board is fast, fun, loose and will light up even the worst of conditions.

 

Lib Tech x Lost Sabo Taj

Designed to take on a huge variety of waves, the Sabo Taj has always been labelled a “travel” board due to the versatility it hold.

Not Lost have released this in the Libtech construction it could be THE perfect board to have when you are globetrotting. A surfboard that is shaped and refined to handle Indo’s reefs, Europe’s beach breaks, Morocco’s points and anything else that’s thrown at it. 

This is not a small wave board. The Sabo Taj will need a wave that has punch and power to get it working. You get hold, control and performance thanks to the rail line, the pulled in pin tail and the continuous rocker throughout the board.

Surfers from intermediate level’s and above can use this model. If you are comfortable riding shortboards or hybrid model boards, then the Sabo Taj would be a great option as a step up or travel board for waves with more power behind them. In the right waves this board will excel.

 

Lib Tech x Lost Freak Flag Bean Bag

Endorsed by the ambassador of fun himself, Mr Mason Ho, this collaboration between Lost and Libtech is the small wave fun board that you need in your quiver!

With the Freak Flag Bean Bag, the basics of the board has been taken for the original Lost Bean Bag, but they have tweaked certain boards, to, in my opinion, improve the boards performance. The outline and rocker have been kept the same and the biggest change made is the step in wing on the tail, and the more pulled in round tail.

The original bean bag was a wave catching monster, but... at times struggled with manoeuvrability, by making the adjustments they have, Libtech & Lost has changed that problem, with the hip creating a break point that you can pivot from when turning the board.

If you want a board that is going to increase your wave count, ride time and stoke to surf, then this is the board for you.

Riders from just above beginner level all the way up to pro can ride this board and will have insane amounts of fun doing so too.

Get one to light up the smaller weaker waves you may encounter!

Lib Tech x Lost Puddle Jumper HP

Basically a refined version of what is probably Lost’s best seller of all time, the squash tail Puddle Jumper, the PJ HP (high performance) is a slimmed down refined take down that fits brilliantly into the Lib Tech range.

The refinement encompasses a pulled in nose and tail with the wide point bought back a little towards the middle of the board – the idea being to give performance without sacrificing waves catching ability.

The rocker is increased and the deep v through the board gives it drive without losing control.

The speed and flow you get in this board is great, it’s not the original PJ of course so don’t expect it to go like that board in onshore thigh high waves but once you get to waist high you just need a little shape and push and this thing comes into its own.

 

This kind of board suits the Lib Tech construction really well, a little stiffness helps with projection and drive and the rail profile is really well balanced to ensure your turns flow rather than being hard work.

This will be the biggest seller in the range this year hands down!

Lib Tech x Lost Puddle Fish

The Lost Puddle Fish Surfboard was enrolled into the Mayhem family of Puddle boards when the only waves they had on offer for a long period where small weaker waves.

The Puddle Fish groveler surfboard has been given all the small wave power and features from its brother board, the Puddle Jumper, but has been also treated to ability to gain speed insanely fast and manoeuvrability where this board can be thrown about in the waves with ease.

Clearly, and obvious in name and look, the Puddle Fish, this board has an Inverted Fish tail, which has been squared off and given extra width, along with this the board has a deep channel positioned inside the boards double concave vee, this all adds up to this board being able to fly down the line, gain speed with minimal effort and let you perform on the wave while going super-fast.

The Puddle Fish is all about going as fast as possible in the weaker, smaller waves, and the wide point of the board being moved further forward compared to the Puddle Jumper, and the rail line being straighter keeps adding the attributes given to this board to create speed, helping the board get through weaker sections of waves and giving the rider fun like they wouldn’t have had before.

The board gives you the pace and ride of an old school retro fish design but with the ability to be ridden like a performance board, where the rider and release the tail out the back and turn this board sharply.

Combining this all with the Lib Tech construction gives you a small wave surfboard that can be surfed for years and years and be kept in great condition, while the surfer rides the board faster than any other and can perform all the turns and carves that they wish.

The Lib Tech X Lost Puddle Fish surfboard can be ridden by a wide range of surfer. If you are an learner who has mastered your first hard top board and want to progress and take the step onto a fun summer small wave board you will be able to surf this board and the board will last you for years and take you through the levels of surfing.

On the flip side, if you are a seasoned surfer looking for a board to give you speed and flow, but you don’t want the large heavy mini mal or long board, this board is perfect.

Puddle Jumper

Mr Biolos himself has claimed, and this isn’t common at all, that the Puddle Jumper is the best small wave board he has ever ridden.

The board has everything that you need for surfing knee to head high waves and excels in the smaller weaker surf. You can surf this board with speed and flare while feeling super stable and your surfing will feel effortless.

The Puddle Jumper is a board that almost anyone can surf, if you are a surfer who has mastered the basics on a foamie or beginner board, or If you are a shredder surfing short performance boards, you will have a place in your quiver for the Puddle Jumper.

The board is instantly comfortable to ride, you can turn the board sharply or if you choose to draw out your lines and carves this board will allow you to do so.

Adding the Lib Tech construction to the board has given a small wave beast an added strength and durability, so when you are turning, and stomping your manoeuvres the deck won’t become peppered with heel dings.

The strength of the board along with its performance makes it a perfect board to have for tackling smaller, weaker conditions.

 

Quiver Killer

Lib Tech x Lost Quiver Killer Surfboard

The latest board to be given the Lib Tech face lift, is the super successful Quiver Killer Surfboard. Following the Short Round, the Quiver Killer gives the Lib Tech X Lost Collaboration collection an extremely versatile surfboard that can perform in conditions that are pretty weak but excels in chest to overhead high conditions.

The Quiver Killer surfboard has been designed and built to please the surfer whole loves the hybrid surfboard but want a board with more performance to be able to handle the varying wave types you come across when on your travels.

The volume and surface area that you get with your Quiver Killer are key to performing in the slower, weaker waves and the pulled in tail and the straightened rails help generate and hold down the line speed when the waves start to stand up.

Now the Quiver Killer has been produced with the Lib Tech ECO ISO construction, you have one of the most successful surfboard on the market in a technology that allows the board to take more punishment from the rider and keep that new board feeling for much longer.

The Lib Tech X Lost Quiver Killer can be surfed by a varying range of surfer. If you are learning the ropes and have nailed the learner boards, you can take the quiver killer out and start being able to dial in your surfing on a performance board that is crazy fast and forgiving at the same time.

However if you are an experienced board rider and you are looking for a one board quiver to handle almost any waves that you have thrown at you, then this board is the perfect choice, now with added robustness for when you are travelling to!

Pick-up Stick

Libtech boards are not just small wave grovelers or shortboards, they also have an amazing mid length which is the Pick Up Stick.

This board is the answer to anyone who wants a board to sit between a daily shortboard and a longboard. This board posses insane paddle speed, to allow early waves entry and a wave count to match the loggers in the line-up. but alongside this paddle speed and forgiving nature you also find a surfboard with the capability to carry out shortboard style moves.

The outline of the Pick Up Stick, matched with very subtly positions concaves allow you to have the best of a short board and longboard in one.

If you have a quiver missing a link between an out and out longboard and the shortboard you own, this Libtech surfboard will not disappoint you. Any surfer out there could surf this board and have more fun then ever before when surfing. You will be catching more waves than ever before, surfing more confidently and progressing while having a whale of a time.

All of this, andddddd the board will stay fresh and new for a long, long time thanks to Libtech's ground breaking, and market leading construction that is as solid as a rock.

Terrapin

Designed and shaped by one of the worlds most underground and underrated shapers, Alex Lopez, the Lib Tech Terrapin combines traditional design and style with the modern construction of Lib Tech.

The son of legend Gerry Lopez, Alex is shaping his take on classic shaped boards. From this the Terrapin came about, a single fin designed to give surfers a fast, fun and free feeling board that is versatile and can handle a wide range of waves.

Lib Tech x Lost Glydra

Looking for a surfboard that delivers exceptional performance and ease of use? Look no further than the Mayhem Glydra. This board is designed to paddle with ease, catch waves effortlessly, and trim all the way to the beach, while still delivering the high-performance you expect from a Mayhem board.

To achieve this, they've taken the magic-making design elements of the original Hydra and made some key performance-enhancing adjustments. They've reduced the intensity of the sidecut outline, allowing for more control, shorter turns, and increased speed. They've kept the double concave inside a single concave hull, which adds speed and allows for proper turns and vertical surfing, and maintained the distinct chines that add release and make it easy to roll the board rail to rail.

To get the most out of this board, we recommend riding it about 12 inches longer than your standard Hydra or other fish, or even 12 inches taller than your own height (roughly), depending on your skill level and preferences. So if you're looking for a board that delivers outstanding performance and ease of use, the Mayhem Glydra in the unreal Libtech construction is the perfect choice.

Lib Tech x Lost Mr California Twin Pin

The Cali Pin is the latest surfboard from legends Mark Richards and Matt Biolos. Based on the Cali Twin swallow shape, the Cali Pin has been tweaked to feature a round pin tail, increased nose rocker, and thicker centre line for better paddle power. This versatile board is perfect for 90% of waves and provides fast, forgiving, and precise performance with the iconic MR Twin + trailer fin set up.

To create the Cali Pin, the boys lengthened the tail by an inch, subtly increased the nose rocker, and pulled in the nose outline a bit. They added some thickness through the centre line to maximize paddle power while maintaining a performance-minded rail. The outline between the feet was pulled in, and the tail was changed to a round pin, which provides forgiveness and versatility.

These changes result in a fast, forgiving, and precise board with a continuous curve outline that makes it wider in terms of functionality than the original swallow version. The iconic MR Twin + trailer fin set up and single to double concave bottom curves from the original Cali Twin have been retained.

Given the Libtech treatment, this is a perfect travel board that surfs great and is incredibly durable.

Lib Tech x Lost RNF '96

The Lost X Libtech RNF 96 is a re-release of the classic RNF board pioneered by surf legends Andy Irons, Chris Ward, Corey Lopez and Bruce Irons. This time, it comes in the Libtech construction, making it more durable and worry-free for surfers. Ideal for daily use, this hybrid board is fast paddling, easy riding, and manoeuvrable, perfect for waves from thigh-high to overhead.

Designed to be an everyday board for 99% of surfers, the Lost X Libtech RNF 96 is a hybrid board that fits into the "tweener" category of surfboards. It is ideal for waves from thigh-high to a couple of foot overhead, making it perfect as a daily surfboard for anyone looking for a fast paddling, easy riding board with performance and manoeuvrability.

To get the most out of this board, you'll want to surf it with a twin plus trailer set of fins, such as the FCS II MR Twin + Stabiliser fins. This setup provides optimal speed and manoeuvrability for most wave conditions. However, if you find yourself in a faster, punchier wave, you can switch the board out to a thruster for more control from the fins.

One of the early “alternative” boards to take the surfing world by storm, the all new RNF 96 from Libtech X Lost is a dream to surf. 

Lib Tech Fins

Lib Tech Fins

Not satisfied with making surfboards that are incredibly eco-friendly, the boffins at Libtech have now created an fins that are made from recycled materials to add to their war on being as environmentally friendly as possible.

They figured they currently way of making fins, using a rectangle block and cutting the fin out, was wasteful on materials, so they came up with their own mould to reduce the wastage but along with this, they decided that the fins would be made from recycled materials.

This was the birth of the Libtech RRIP Fins - RRIP stands for Rubbish Rejector Industrial Projector.

Available in small, medium and large, the Libtech fins contain a core made from a super light material called Hexzylon Fibrefoam, this is paired with a biaxial base created from carbon fibre and then the carbon rods in the fins allow flex and response.

These are a high quality, versatile and sustainable fins that are the perfect match for an Libtech surfboard on the market.

“Help save the planet one fin set at a time with our handcrafted American surfboard rubbish morphed into fine foiled fast fins.” ~ Mike Olson

The Boardshop seal of approval

If you wrap this all up, what you get, is a great range of surfboards that have been tried and tested by the best in the business, that has been intertwined with the most advanced and successful construction the surf world has seen.

The boards will be super durable, lasting the rider years and years and giving the rider the feeling of a new board for much longer than any other board.

A quote from Matt Biolos himself states; Ever since he discovered the Lib Tech Eco ISO construction he wanted to build surfboards that use this technology.

The strength to weight ratio, eco minded materials and techniques, and the fact that this tech was being built in the USA was incredibly interesting to him and he was super stoked to be able to produce these boards and get them into the market.

We at Boardshop love the Lib Tech surfboards and we continue to ride them in all conditions that we encounter.

You can get your hands on one of these awesome Lib Tech x Lost boards in a wide range of ways at Boadshop. You can trade in up to two old surfboards against your new board, using the trade in scheme we have here at Boardshop, all of this is fully outlined on the website and we do all the work for you!

Also, do not worry or panic if you are short a penny or two, you can take advantage of our fantastic 0% finance option to purchase your new surfboard. Again, this is all outlined on the Boardshop website and is a simple and easy process.

 

Onwards and upwards with Lib Tech and Boardshop

The team at Lib Tech in Europe (who we deal with) are a great bunch, once you get them off the subject of snowboards they are very engaged with their surfboard program, we feed back loads of info from ourselves and our customers which in turn gets fed back to the Yanks who own the company.

They actually take notice of the stuff we and you tell them and do try to find answers.

Take it from us this is a rare thing in the surf ‘industry’ and in our mission to bring you stuff that is functional, fun and good value it goes a long way.

One massive thing for us (and you) is the warranty policy – in the last twelve months we’ve had two boards returned to us for warranty issues – Lib tech didn’t quibble in any way, they took our word for it and replaced the boards within a couple of days, no one else would have done that.

We’re stoked to be the official partner for Lib Tech surfboards in the UK and this year is going to be the year that Lib Tech really climbs the ranks and becomes a premium player in the board market.

Anyone that knows us also knows that we don’t get behind sh#t we don’t believe in so check these boards out you won’t regret it.

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