Lost Surfboards RNF 96
Pickup currently unavailable at BSS
The Round Nose Fish That Started It All
The Lost RNF 96 is not just a model name. It is a direct revival of the Round Nose Fish design that Matt "Mayhem" Biolos originally shaped in 1996, a board that quietly rewired how surfing thought about alternative shortboards. Where most fish designs of that era leaned toward extremes in width and loose, drifty tails, the original RNF was different. Its tail width tracked much closer to a high-performance shortboard, giving it a level of rear-foot control that most fish shapes simply could not offer. That detail became its defining edge, and it is carried forward unchanged in the RNF 96 today.
Outline Curves: Proven Geometry, Refined with Precision
Lost Surfboards set a clear mandate for the RNF 96: the rocker curves that made the original work stay locked in. The nose and tail widths at the 12-inch mark remain true to the original geometry, but the outline has been refined with greater precision, including added curve and width around 6 inches from the tail. The result is an outline that flows with the same rhythm surfers loved about the 1996 original while benefiting from the controlled manufacturing consistency that hand-shaping in those early years could never guarantee. Every board off the line today shares the same proven outline DNA, but with a level of precision no individual hand-shaper could replicate on every pass.
Bottom Contours: Single to Double Concave into Accelerating Vee
The RNF 96's bottom contour sequence is one of the most recognizable design signatures in the Lost lineup. A classic single concave enters under the front foot, transitions into a double concave through the middle section, and exits through an accelerating vee behind the fins. This combination is not accidental. The single concave channels and lifts water for drive, the double concave splits flow to each rail for speed and rail-to-rail responsiveness, and the vee releases pressure off the tail for a pivoty, surfy feel. These three elements work together to deliver a board that generates speed with minimal effort and releases off the tail with a natural, forgiving rhythm rather than a snapping, high-performance abruptness.
Rails, Foil, and Thickness Flow
Part of what made the original 1996 design so hard to pin down was its inconsistency: each board came out slightly different, with rails and thickness flow varying from one rail to the other depending on the shaper's session. The RNF 96 takes the best qualities from those early shapes and locks them into a consistent production template. The rails carry enough volume through the mid-section to paddle and generate momentum, while the tail foil keeps control accessible off the back foot. The deckline stays relatively flat, keeping the center of gravity low and the board stable under varying foot positions.
Twin-Fin Configuration and Wave Range
The RNF 96 runs a twin-fin setup with a small center trailer option, giving you the choice between the classic twin feel and a slightly more centered pivot point. In pure twin configuration, the board projects forward with that long, arcing, speed-first style that made fish designs iconic. Add the trailer and the pivot sharpens for surfers who prefer a bit more directional hold. Either way, the fin configuration complements the vee tail exit perfectly: the board wants to roll from rail to rail with energy, not mechanical effort. This is a board shaped for beachbreak and soft to moderate point surf, the kind of waves where generating your own speed matters and where a looser, more playful feel rewards creative surfing over precision carving.
PU Construction
The RNF 96 at Island Water Sports is shaped in traditional polyurethane foam with a fiberglass laminate, the same construction family as the boards Matt Biolos was shaping in 1996. PU has a flex pattern and response that many surfers describe as organic: it loads under your feet on a bottom turn and releases through the top of the wave with a lively snap that alternative construction materials replicate in different ways. For surfers who grew up on PU or who want the most traditional feel out of this classic design, the PU build is the right call.
Who Rides the RNF 96
The RNF 96 is built for intermediate to advanced surfers who want more volume and paddling ease than a traditional high-performance shortboard without giving up real rail-to-rail response. It suits surfers who regularly ride smaller, softer waves and want a board that makes those days feel fast and fun rather than punishing. It also works as a complementary board for shortboarders who want to dial up the energy on waist-to-head-high days without reaching for a full longboard. Check the size chart on this page for complete dimensions across the model range, and use the variant selector on this page to confirm your size and fin system preference. Questions about sizing? Call us at 954-427-4929.
Free Shipping, No Minimum for IWS Beach Club Members.
Returns are eligible within 30 days of receiving your order. Return shipping labels are FREE for IWS Beach Club Members. See more
Specifications
- Brand
- Lost Surfboards (by Mayhem)
- Model
- RNF 96 (Round Nose Fish '96)
- Designer
- Matt Biolos
- Construction
- PU (Polyurethane)
- Fin Setup
- Twin + center trailer (2+1 compatible)
- Bottom Contour
- Single concave to double concave to accelerating vee
- Tail Shape
- Swallow tail
- Rocker
- Original 1996 proven rocker curves, low entry
- Skill Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Wave Range
- Knee to overhead, best in beachbreak and soft point surf
- Gender
- Unisex
- Category
- Shortboards
Size & Dimensions
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'1" | 18.63" | 2.22" | 24.00 L |
| 5'2" | 18.75" | 2.25" | 25.00 L |
| 5'3" | 19.00" | 2.30" | 26.00 L |
| 5'4" | 19.25" | 2.33" | 27.25 L |
| 5'5" | 19.50" | 2.37" | 28.50 L |
| 5'6" | 19.75" | 2.40" | 29.50 L |
| 5'7" | 20.00" | 2.44" | 31.00 L |
| 5'8" | 20.25" | 2.46" | 32.00 L |
| 5'9" | 20.50" | 2.52" | 33.50 L |
| 5'10" | 20.75" | 2.56" | 35.00 L |
| 5'11" | 21.00" | 2.60" | 36.50 L |
| 6'0" | 21.25" | 2.64" | 38.00 L |
| 6'1" | 21.50" | 2.68" | 39.50 L |
| 6'2" | 21.75" | 2.70" | 41.00 L |
| 6'3" | 22.00" | 2.75" | 42.50 L |
| 6'4" | 22.00" | 2.75" | 43.50 L |
Full manufacturer size chart. Sizes available to order are shown in the selector above.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does RNF 96 stand for?
- RNF stands for Round Nose Fish, and 96 refers to 1996, the year Matt "Mayhem" Biolos originally shaped this design. The RNF 96 is a faithful recreation of that original model, preserving the rocker curves, outline geometry, and bottom contour combination that made it stand out from other fish designs of that era.
- How does the Lost RNF 96 compare to a standard fish surfboard?
- The RNF 96 differs from most fish designs in a key way: its tail width stays closer to what you would find on a high-performance shortboard rather than a wide, splay-tailed classic fish. This gives it noticeably more control and hold off the tail, making it a better option for surfers who want fish-style speed and paddle power without losing the ability to drive and release off the back foot with real leverage.
- What fin setup does the Lost RNF 96 use?
- The RNF 96 is designed around a twin-fin configuration with a small center trailer box, giving you the option to run it as a pure twin or as a 2+1 with a small stabilizer fin. The twin setup emphasizes speed and a flowing, projected feel. Adding the trailer tightens the pivot and adds a touch more directional control. Your preferred fin system (compatible with the box type on your chosen variant) handles the hardware side.
- What size Lost RNF 96 should I ride?
- Lost Surfboards recommends sizing up slightly from your standard shortboard length to account for the board's relatively lower volume-per-inch compared to a traditional wide fish. The full dimension chart on this page shows length, width, thickness, and volume for every size in the Standard Dimensions series. Use that alongside your weight, skill level, and typical wave size to find the right match. If you want a direct recommendation, call us at 954-427-4929.
- Is the Lost RNF 96 good for small waves?
- Yes. The RNF 96 was designed with fun, gutless, and inconsistent surf in mind. The round nose carries volume forward for early paddle entry and catch, the twin-fin drive generates speed through flat sections, and the single-to-double-to-vee contour sequence produces flow even when the wave does not cooperate. It rewards active surfing in the knee-to-head-high range, making it a strong alternative to a conventional shortboard on smaller days.
- Is the Lost RNF 96 good for beginners?
- The RNF 96 is aimed at intermediate to advanced surfers. Its twin-fin setup and refined tail foil reward surfers who can already generate speed and set a rail. A surfer who is progressing quickly can grow into it, but the design is optimized for those who are already comfortable on a shortboard and want to explore a more playful alternative shape.
- Where can I see the full Lost RNF 96 dimensions and volumes?
- The complete size chart, with length, width, thickness, and volume for every size in the Standard Dimensions series, is on this page. All measurements are copied directly from the Lost Surfboards official size chart. Use the variant selector on this page to choose your preferred size and fin system.