Trip Forman: Welcome to the REAL Board Loft. I’m Trip Forman, and we’ve got Jason Forrest with us. Somehow I’m holding onto Jason’s coveted Christenson Lane Splitter… can I have it back please?
Jason Forrest: Can you bring it back over here?
Trip Forman: Let’s start with where you’ve surfed this board.
Jason Forrest: I’ve ridden it in the ocean—both the Atlantic and the Pacific. Mostly here on the Outer Banks, but I also took it to Fiji in the fall and surfed it at small, fun Cloudbreak. I brought it to Puerto Rico as well and got a few sessions there. So yeah, I’ve used this board in a lot of different conditions.
Trip Forman: Height and weight? Then we’ll get into dimensions.
Jason Forrest: I’m 5’8”, about 155–160 pounds.
Trip Forman: This one is 5’6”. Looks like 5’6” x 19” x 2 5/8”. It’s set up with the Futures Christenson twin fins—more upright, no trailer. Dedicated twin fin. Did you have any twin fin anxiety going in?
Jason Forrest: A little. Twin fins can feel slippery, but I like them and have ridden a few before, so I was more excited than nervous.
Trip Forman: First impressions?
Jason Forrest: First session, first wave—backhand drop, probably one of the best top turns I’ve ever done. Not even on film. I was like, “Whoa… everything just changed.” It really shifted how I think about my boards, my quiver, everything. Twin fins are just so fast.
Trip Forman: Was this your first Christenson?
Jason Forrest: First one I’ve owned. I’ve ridden others—like the Huntsman—but never had one in my possession.
Trip Forman: There are a lot of twin fin styles out there—fish, channel bottoms, performance twins like this. How does this compare?
Jason Forrest: Speed is the biggest thing. It feels like friction-free surfing. When you push to generate speed, it’s like hitting a gas pedal. Anywhere in that sweet spot, you push and it just goes. I’ve never felt anything like it. It still feels like a twin fin—you can tell there are only two fins when you’re really pushing—but the harder you drive it, the more it holds. That balance of freedom, grip, and drive all works together. It’s not better in every way—it’s just different, faster, more fun, more free.
Trip Forman: And you’re not giving it back?
Jason Forrest: No chance.
Trip Forman: Looking at the board, even at 5’6” there’s a good amount of foam up front—a bit of a beak nose, solid thickness—but the tail gets really thin.
Jason Forrest: Yeah, it’s got everything you want up front for paddling, catching waves, and forward momentum. Christensons just carry speed so well. You catch waves easily, and once you’re up, they mow through chop. Then the pulled-in, thinner tail lets you control all that speed and still get grip. The V through the tail almost acts like a third fin—it adds more hold than a typical twin. It doesn’t feel overly loose, just really drivey.
Trip Forman: Where’s the sweet spot for this board?
Jason Forrest: I’ve pushed it pretty far. Honestly, it makes smaller waves so fun that I reach for it a lot. I’ll ride it up to the point where I step up to bigger boards. In Fiji, I went from this straight to a step-up when it got a couple feet overhead. At home, I’ve ridden it from shoulder-high to overhead. It works in a wide range of conditions.
Trip Forman: What about accessibility—who’s this board for?
Jason Forrest: I think a lot of people can enjoy it. Beginner to intermediate surfers will benefit from the volume up front and the speed—it helps them catch waves and build momentum. They might not fully tap into the high-performance aspects right away, but as they progress, they’ll grow into it. Just be careful—it’s addictive. After riding this, switching back to step-ups can feel like you’re dragging an anchor at first.
Trip Forman: Speed is never a bad thing.
Jason Forrest: Exactly. I’d rather have controlled speed than constantly trying to generate it. That’s where this board really shines.
Trip Forman: Jason, thanks for breaking it down. If you’ve got questions about the Christenson Lane Splitter or any other Christenson boards, give us a call at the shop or check us out online at realwatersports.com. Thanks for tuning in.
Jason Forrest: Can I have it back now?
Trip Forman: You can have it back.
