Lost Surfboards RNF 96
After shaping multiple variations of fish boards between late 1994 and 1995, we had started to gain some traction with these designs. By the winter of 1995/96, we had refined a basic concept that allowed us to adjust, reproduce, and hand-size the original RNF with considerable consistency. We continued to make small quivers for Chris Ward and Cory Lopez, sending them to every possible destination, while Cory traveled with different versions of the board at each stop on the WQS circuit.
Those 1996 Fish boards were completely hand-shaped and not the most uniform creations, but they became the basis and starting point for offering this design to surfers outside our circle of friends. These were the boards with which Chris and Cory, barely teenagers, arrived on the North Shore and left an indelible mark on surfing history.
ROUND NOSE FISH 96
The RNF-'96 is inspired with the utmost respect by those original boards, although it is not a 100% reproduction. It is based on the fish we developed for Chris and Cory during the year prior to the legendary surf film 5'5" x 19 1/4", released in 1997. Today, we only have a few examples from that era, mostly very thin and worn boards that belonged to Cory (none of Chris's are still in our possession). For this reason, part of the recreation work consisted simply of doing what felt right... and, above all, what would work best in the water.
I still have the remnants of a personal 5'10" x 20" x 2 5/8" board, the same one I took to Durban, South Africa, in July 1996. It was a board that changed my understanding of surfing in small waves, both as a designer and a surfer, as until then I struggled to adapt to the predominant shortboards of the mid-90s. Thanks to it, I was able to enjoy the fun little waves of Durban's piers for weeks. Never before had so many people—including other shapers—asked me: "What board are you surfing?" It was then that I understood that this was much more than just a fun fish for small waves. It was a design that any surfer could enjoy.
I have always believed that the big difference between our RNF and most of the fish that appeared during the 90s and later lies in its outline. Our design was clearly inspired by Mark Richards' (MR) high-performance twin fins from the late 70s and early 80s: boards designed for competition, with narrower and more refined tails through countless tests to offer maximum performance and control. They worked not only in small waves but virtually in any type and size of wave.
In short, most of the fish developed later took inspiration from Steve Lis's 70s kneeboards: very wide tails and parallel outlines that worked very well for standing surfing in small waves, but never matched the performance of a modern shortboard. Our Fish was always conceived to offer high-level performance, not just to generate speed in small waves.
With the aim of building an even better board, we have allowed ourselves certain liberties. Taking advantage of more than 25 years of experience in manufacturing boards, we have sought to create a consistent version—and we dare say even better—faithfully based on the 1996 RNF, without exactly copying each of its original variations.
After months of intensive testing in 2020 by team members like Kolohe Andino, Coco Ho, Ian Crane, Crosby Colapinto and other invited surfers, in addition to my own test sessions, we are convinced that the RNF-'96 exceeds expectations as a versatile, fun, fast, and extremely maneuverable board, suitable for a wide range of surfers.
RNF 96 Features
Rocker
Maintains the original curves that proved effective in the first models.
Outline
The nose and tail width at 12 inches from the ends remains practically the same as in the originals, although now with much greater precision. Some additional curve and width have also been added approximately 6 inches from the tail. One of the "secrets" to the RNF's success was that, unlike most fish, its tail width was much closer to that of a high-performance shortboard, providing superior control.
Bottom Contours
The classic combination of single concave evolving into double concave and ending in an accelerated vee, one of the most distinctive elements of the original design, is maintained.
Volume distribution, deck, rails, and tail foil
In those early years of completely handcrafted shapes, there was no real uniformity. Each board was different, and many showed evident differences in thickness and curves between one rail and another.
When recreating these boards, an inevitable question arose: which one was truly correct?
In the end, I decided to trust my intuition and build the version that, based on feel and experience, offered the best possible performance.
