Chapter 1: Introduction to the Big Rig
Trip Forman: Welcome to the REAL Board Loft. I’m Trip Forman, here with Matt Biolos in the shaping room, and today we’re talking about a new high-performance shortboard, the Lost Mayhem Big Rig.
Trip Forman: There have been big guy shortboards before, but this one has a great story behind it, with Cole Houshmand as a key test pilot along with the Lost team.
Matt Biolos: A lot more people are riding this board than you’d think—not just big guys, but medium and larger surfers too. The Big Rig is based on the Driver 3.0, but it’s not just for “big rigs.” It’s a board anyone can ride.
Chapter 2: Design and Features
Matt Biolos: This board is for surfers who want to ride a shortboard but maybe have been stuck on midlengths, fish, or hybrids. We wanted to make a shortboard that actually makes sense for everyday surfers.
Matt Biolos: The sizing ranges from around 5’10” up to 7’2”. It started with boards we were building for Cole in the low-to-mid 6-foot range around 34 liters, then scaled up more dramatically for bigger surfers.
Matt Biolos: It’s not just a scaled-up Driver 3.0—we lowered the entry rocker for easier paddling and built-in speed, while still keeping enough nose lift to avoid catching.
Matt Biolos: We also carried thickness further forward for better paddling and stability, while blending the rails so they don’t feel bulky.
Chapter 3: Performance Characteristics
Matt Biolos: The board still has a modern performance feel, with aggressive tail rocker and a deep concave for responsiveness.
Matt Biolos: The rocker and tail design create a “live zone” where you don’t have to stand perfectly on the tail to turn the board. As long as you’re around or behind the front fins, you can control it.
Matt Biolos: That wider sweet spot makes it more forgiving and easier to surf compared to traditional high-performance shortboards.
Matt Biolos: The goal is to let everyday surfers—guys with jobs, families, and less time in the water—still ride a proper shortboard and perform at a high level.
Chapter 4: Light Speed 2 Construction
Trip Forman: Let’s talk about Light Speed 2 construction.
Matt Biolos: Light Speed 2 removes carbon and replaces it with a high-strength S-glass weave, creating a lighter, more balanced feel. We jokingly call it “White Speed” now.
Matt Biolos: The board still uses Innegra reinforcement in the deck and tail, improving durability and dampening while maintaining strength.
Matt Biolos: The result is a board that feels lighter and more responsive, but also smoother and less “chattery” than carbon-heavy constructions.
Matt Biolos: As boards get bigger, keeping them lightweight helps reduce bulk and makes them easier to maneuver and throw around.
Chapter 5: Durability and Feel
Matt Biolos: Light Speed 2 maintains strong deck durability with multiple layers of fiberglass and reinforcement. It resists pressure dents better than standard ultra-light poly boards while staying lightweight.
Matt Biolos: These boards feel like ultra-light performance boards but are significantly stronger. They’re not indestructible, but they offer a great balance of weight, strength, and performance.
Chapter 6: Fin Recommendations
Matt Biolos: Because this board has significant tail rocker and concave, I recommend using fins with more rake and drive.
Matt Biolos: Raked fins help maintain speed and control through turns, especially on boards with more rocker.
Matt Biolos: Both FCS and Futures offer great options—it really comes down to personal preference.
Chapter 7: Final Thoughts
Trip Forman: This board has been moving quickly in the shop, and it’s great to understand the full design behind it—not just the sizing, but the performance tweaks as well.
Trip Forman: If you’re interested in the Lost Big Rig, whether stock or custom, give us a call or visit realwatersports.com. Thanks for tuning in.
