Dimensions: 5’6 x 19″ x 2.18″
Rider Height/Weight: 5’5 140 lbs
Fins: FCS (5 fin)

Dave from Hawaiian South Shore was cool enough to let me borrow the Lost Black Sheep Hydroflex model for a couple days. The Black Sheep is a combination of Lost’s two popular models, the Sub-Scorcher & the Rocket. I had heard so much about the new Hydroflex construction where you actually pump up or deflate the surfboard to alter its flex.

How it Works
Each Hydroflex board comes with its own pump and when you pump your board up you essentially decrease the flex making the ride more rigid and stiff. By pressing the valve on the deck of the board, you can release air and increase the board’s flex…pretty interesting concept. Obviously different waves and conditions suit different board flexes though each surfer has their own preferences.

To Pump or Deflate
Unfortunately I rode this board when the surf was pretty dismal (knee high and week) but from what I felt, the board rode better pumped up (decreasing flex) compared to deflating it (increasing flex). When I first paddle out, the board was pumped up about average to slightly above average pressure. Towards the end of the session I let a bunch of air out by pressing on the valve and was interested to see if I could feel the increased flex. To my surprise the board felt soft and sluggish in the slow weak waves and after a few waves I paddled in. Every surfer is different but it seems to me that in weaker waves you want to have the board pumped up so you can push against the wave and generate speed. In better surf I would assume you can increase the flex as the board requires less energy and speed generation isn’t as critical. Obviously there is an optimal flex for each board and individual surfer which will require trial an error on your part. If I find some information on this I’ll post in the future.

The Hydroflex material feels very similar to the epoxy construction of Lost’s Placebo boards. Compared to a Surftech Tuflite, these boards feel very soft…even a bit more soft than Firewire boards. The difference between the Hydroflex and Placebo boards is the fact that you can pump out most of your pressure dings (Placebo boards are so soft their decks start to cave in on the first session). It’s pretty amazing how your board seems to come back to life almost like new…you won’t get the deck back to perfect but for the most part all the pressures go away. The Hydroflex material also appears to be more ding resistant than your standard PU board.

How Does the Hybrid Shape Go?
The Sub Scorcher and Rocket are two of Lost’s best sellers at the moment so it makes perfect sense to blend the two together and get the best characteristics of each board. I’ve ridden both boards and here’s what I like about each:

Rocket – The wide front end and low rocker allows for easy paddling and wave catching ability though it’s not too wide like an RNF where you dig your rail and lose maneuverability.

Sub Scorcher – The tail of the Sub Scorcher is pulled in which gives you a very good turning radius for great carving in the pocket.

So basically you get the wider front end and lower rocker of the Rocket which helps you catch a shit ton of waves with a more pulled in tail and increase tail rocker for better turning in the pocket (compared to the Rocket). Sounds like a no brainer! This board feels more like a shortboard than a fish when you’re up and riding but catches more waves than a standard Sub Scorcher. Surfers will really like the way this board feels on nice walled up waves and in the pocket…feels very positive.

Go check um out at Hawaiian South Shore on Ward Ave. across from Sports Authority. They have a bunch of them in-stock.