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Lost Puddle Jumper Review

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Could this be the perfect balance between performance and wave catching ability in tiny surf? Very sensitive and nimble under foot, welcome to the brand new Lost Puddle Jumper.

Since hearing Lost Surfboards founder, Matt Biolos, talk about his ‘go to’ small wave board [See Matt talk about it here…] – the brand new Lost Puddle Jumper – I have been dying to try this thing.

The promise of a board that strikes the right balance between wave catching ability & speed generation in tiny to small surf while still feeling lively, precise and maneuverable has yet to be fully realised…until now. This board nails it. It paddles like a beast, handles bigger waves and steep drops and feels fast, precise and nimble through turns. This is the Lost Puddle Jumper review. I hope you enjoy it!

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Pluses

+ Despite the wider outline, the nose and thin, tuned tail make the Puddle Jumper feel ultra sensitive and nimble under foot
+ Could be the perfect balance between performance and wave catching ability/speed generation in tiny to small surf
+ Glide, floats, dances across the wave face – it’s a beautiful feeling ride
+ Intended for smaller surf but works in a variety of wave types – easily handles tiny, weak surf but overhead barrels are no challenge for the Lost Puddle Jumper, too

Minuses

– I found that I could not ride this Puddle Jumper like other oblong, fat, groveler type boards. It requires a performance approach and won’t feel as forgiving as other boards in it’s class
– Because of the sensitive nose and tail, I was challenged surfing it in more average conditions. It handles it but prefers a clean face (don’t we all…)

Benny Rides

The Lost Puddle Jumper at 5’11 x 21 5/8 x 2 7/8 @ 42.4L’s of volume. I started surfing my Puddle Jumper with the new and improved Futures EA Blackstix 3.0 thruster fins [Shop now…] and, because of the thin, tuned tail, these were great for extra hold and drive. Then I added the Futures QD2 quad trailers [Shop now…] to the back and this thing frickin’ came alive! I like quads! Standard Lost Puddle Jumper dimensions and volume at the bottom of this page.

Best Wave Type

Knee high to just overhead, flat faced to hollow. It will handle mushy, average conditions but much prefers a clean lined up face (don’t we all…)

Features

  • Based off of the Bottom Feeder outline [See Bottom Feeder review…] but with a reversed bottom contour and rocker curves
  • Concave bottom transitions to a vee through the tail for modern performance
  • Straight rail line plus vee tail combo provide extra hold and control
  • Wide outline makes for easy wave catching ability and down the line speed and stability

Compare To

Lost Puddle Jumper Review | Compare Surfboards

Lost Puddle Jumper – Deck

Video Summary

Hey, welcome to Benny’s Boardroom!

I’m haven’t been this excited to do a review in quite some time. I have in front of me the BRAND NEW Lost Puddle Jumper. If you’ve been watching the show for a little while, you’ll know that Matt Biolos, founder and co-owner of Lost Surfboards, very kindly walked us through his entire ‘go to’ quiver, the Puddle Jumper being his small wave board [See Matt talk about it here…]. He reckons it is the best small wave board he has ever ridden, which is a very big call for guy who has been surfing for as long as he has as much experience in shaping as he does.

Lost Puddle Jumper Review | Compare Surfboards

Lost Puddle Jumper – Deck

I was very excited to ride his board and there have been so many people who have asked me about it – this is probably the most requested board I can think of for review, ever. It had a lot of expectation built into it. I hope that I do a justice because it really is a spectacular little small wave board.

The first thing I’ll say about this Lost Puddle Jumper and this is what I think differentiates the Puddle Jumper from other boards, other small wave boards, even by Lost but by other manufacturers as well, is that whenever you are dealing with a really wide, groveler-ish outline, something that’s really intended for small, small, small waves. I usually feel like there is a trade-off that you are making between performance and wave catching and down line speed ability.

Get real surfboard reviews from a weekend warrior. Independent. Objective. For you.

This board, I think, balances those two contradictory aspects better than anything I’ve ever seen. You look at the outline: the outline is big, it does look like wider, smaller wave board outline. It does have a fair amount of thickness throughout, although you can see the foil is pretty even, it’s got a good distribution of foam throughout – I’ll just call this out very quickly, one thing that I noticed right away is how thin and sensitive that tail is – so while it does have a lot of foam kind of throughout the rest of foil, the tail is actually really narrow and thin.

Lost Puddle Jumper Review | Compare Surfboards

Lost Puddle Jumper – Tail Profile

Lost Puddle Jumper Review | Compare Surfboards

Lost Puddle Jumper – Tail Profile

Lost Puddle Jumper Review | Compare Surfboards

Lost Puddle Jumper – Tail Profile

I’ll put pictures specifically of the tail on the website (above here!). It has quite an interesting shape. Overall, this board I think is – and I don’t want to regurgitate what Biolos said – but it’s one of the best small wave boards I’ve ridden. It just gets up and gets going like those groveler type boards where

“It accelerates instantly but also feels really sensitive.”

I was surfing it last weekend at a beach break up to coast from Sydney in really good, clean, lined up, shoulder high to a very occasional head high waves. There were smaller sets coming through as well but these waves were breaking really quickly and I would take off – even on my forehand – I’d take off and I’d see a section that I didn’t think I would make it around. With a lot of other small wave boards, I don’t know if it would have made it around but this Puddle Jumper was able to push me fast enough to get around those tricky sections but still was precise enough so I could then make a hard bottom turn, get back up on top of the wave and then point down the line and go. I had plenty of speed to do whatever I wanted at that point.

Lost Puddle Jumper Review | Compare Surfboards

Lost Puddle Jumper – Bottom

Some of the better waves I had over the weekend were on my back hand – you know that I like lefts – but some of the better waves I had were going right. They were really fast but evenly paced and I took off and I just did three of the best backhand turns I have done in a row in a while. I don’t know that I would been able to do that with, for example, the Lost RV [See the RV review…], which is a great small wave groveler or the Bottom Feeder [See Bottom Feeder review…] or many other groveler boards out there like the Cab Sav by Nick Blair [See the Cab Sav review…]. There are many great shapes out that that I like to categorise in the same arena as this Puddle Jumper, but this one really, really clicked with me.

Now the other nice thing about it is it handles size better than most boards I’ve surfed with this big wide outline. I have taken out in overhead  surf and again, it’s so sensitive. It’s really feels like you’re riding a pointy nose performance, small wave hybrid; a more performance small wave shortboard.

“This Lost Puddle Jumper really blows me away.”

There are a few design aspects that are very different about this board in contrast to a couple of those Lost Surfboards I just mentioned. The Bottom Feeder, the RV, the whole domesticated class of boards that Lost makes have a very specific bottom contour and they’re meant to be kind of fun, flowy riding small wave boards. This has a concave running the length of the board, which then vees off at the tail. More of an all rounder bottom contour of choice and I think that probably helps it to perform the way it does. While it does have this wider outline, again, that bottom contour I think does very much help this board to perform.

Lost Puddle Jumper Review | Compare Surfboards

Lost Puddle Jumper – Rocker

Lost Puddle Jumper Review | Compare Surfboards

Lost Puddle Jumper – Rocker

We’ve talked about the wide outline, we’ve talked about the clever distribution of foam and the rails are nice medium rails. They are a little bit more full but never feel bulky or catchy. The nose is just as tight as I would like it to be to be able to get in and plane across flatter sections but it’s not so wide that it ever gets in your way. Again, if I’m thinking about how close you could get to having just a pure tiny wave groveler that gets up quickly, it catches everything but at the same time performs like small wave hybrid. I am taking the Lost V3 Rocket [See the V3 Rocket review…] or the Love Buzz by Haydenshapes [See the Love Buzz review…]. I think this Puddle jumper really nails it.

Get real surfboard reviews from a weekend warrior. Independent. Objective. For you.

Again, I think to hear Matt Biolos say that this is the best small wave board he’s ridden is a pretty big call. I’m getting close to making the same call. This is a pretty special little board. That is the Lost Puddle jumper. For all of you out there that had asked about this, I hope that this helps you to make a decision on whether or not you’re going to go and get this board. I think that you won’t be disappointed if you do. In contrast to some of the other boards we have discussed, just the feeling of liveliness and the ability to swing it around and put it into any place that you want, it’s just not like anything else I’ve really ridden.

Lost Puddle Jumper Review | Compare Surfboards

Lost Puddle Jumper – Bottom

I was riding it as a quad set up. I did try it first as a 3-fin thruster, using the newFutures EA Blackstix 3.0 thruster fins, which I absolutely love the new EA Blackstix. I have a couple sets now. I have the big F8 Blackstix and I have these medium ones as well. I tried this first as a truster and it worked great as a thruster. In bigger, more punchy surf, I would probably surf this more as a thruster but in this case I put these Futures QD2 quad trailers in and it just feels amazing with that fin setup. That is the Lost Puddle Jumper, a fantastic little addition to the Lost small wave repertoire.

Please let me know what you think of the board. Hit like if you like this review and of course hit subscribe so you don’t miss anything else that’s coming up. Thank you so much for watching. I hope you enjoy the show and I will see you next week.

OUTRO: Get a Lost Puddle Jumper, Grasshopper, you will not be disappointed.

Lost Puddle Jumper Review | Compare Surfboards

Stock Standard Dimensions & Volume

Standard Lost Surfboards Puddle Jumper dimensions and volumes from the Lost Surfboards website

Lost Puddle Jumper Standard Dimensions and Volumes | Compare Surfboards

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My name is Benny and I have a surfboard problem. Join us on our journey of riding and reporting on the best boards we can find from the best shapers (both big name and underground) on the planet. Subscribe to the newsletter
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Lost Puddle Jumper
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  • Mat Rvl

    Hey Benny ! i am TORNEDDDDDD between going for a puddle jumper or the CAB SAV it s killing me ! Which one you think would work better for small / mushy summer waves (live in Manly) ? speed / manoeuvrability !

  • Dave Tinz

    Hi Benny, I really enjoy your reviews. I picked up a 5’7″ PJ in Oct. 2016. Took it on my annual Costa Rica trip this past January and had a blast! As a matter of fact this is the only board I brought there on this trip. I have a few other short boards but for some reason this board just clicks and is super fast and loose. I live in SoCal and surf Newport a few days a week and have so much fun on this thing. I ride is as a quad in anything up to head high and have taken it out in head-high and a half as a thruster. Riding a 5’7″ board for a guy who is turning 50 in 2 months – who would have thought? lol. I have interest in the new DHD XRS and I hope that you might give this one a review in the near future. Keep rippin!

  • DH

    Torn on a size for this board. I am 5’11”, 190 pounds, intermediate surfer, good fitness – most people recommend a 5’9″ Puddle Jumper but that seems small (since I am used to larger, lower volume boards). Any thoughts?

  • Carlos Cerqueira

    Hi Benny, have u tried out the Lib-Tech version of the Puddle Jumper, I just got one and absolutly love it..

    • DH

      What fins did you get, heard there are less choices with lib tech?

  • Gabriel Bahia

    Hey Benny, is the paddling (catching wave ability) of this board exceptional ?

    Thanks

  • Ronaldo Morales Guimarães

    Hello Benny, I’m a 96kilos 6’0 intermediate surfer, do you think a 5’10 puddle jumper is good for me for as a groveler or better go with more volume? I already have a 6’2 #4 that i love for my all rounder thanks

  • Alex

    Great review Benny!

    I’m an intermediate level surfer looking for a small wave board to compliment my Hypto Krpto. I’ll typically be looking to use it on small gutless days on NZ’s east coast. Do you think that this would be a good option for me or would you go for something with a slightly fuller outline like a FW Baked Potato or even a Lost Bean Bag?

    I’m keen to improve my surfing so like the idea of something with a bit of performance to it. But then again, want something that helps me in those really weak conditions where I struggle with the Hypto…..

    Thanks for the help!

  • Michael

    Hey Benny. I’m a beginner/intermediate surfer who picked up surfing later in life (about 3 yrs ago). I’ve spent most of the past 2 years on a 7’6 egg. I can trim it and stay high to make sections but I wanted to try something l that would allow me to start making carving turns. About two weeks ago, I took the plunge and I bought the 5’9 puddle jumper lib tech. I’m 6’0 165 lbs. I had been vacillating between the 5’9 and 5’11 given my experience but I was persuaded to go with the 5’9. I knew it was going to be a huge transition and it is. Part of me is wondering if I went too small, less so because of weight but because my legs are fairly long. I find that to generate any speed I have to have my front foot pretty damn close to the front of the board. Is it crazy to size up on it or should I suck it up and go through the growing pains on the 5’9?

  • Sebastiaan Verheij

    Hi Benny, awesome review! Keep up the good work! I am 84 kilo, 29 years old and 6.1 tall. I own a gravy 6.1 with 33 liters for surfing in the Netherlands and I surf for about 13 years now. I do feel that I wont catch small weak waves easy lately, probably because I have a desktop job now and only surf in the evenings and during the weekends. That’s why I am looking at the Puddle Jumper in LibTech.

    What kind of size Puddle Jumper is for right me? I’m not sure about a 5.9 because it only adds 4 more liters so maybe a 5.11 should work better in the average Dutch wind waves…?

  • Ant785

    Spent plenty of time reading these reviews, so thought I would give something back…Had my PJ a month now, and I love it. Magic board. It’s true what it says in the review above that in really gutless mushy surf it struggles a bit compared to other mega grovellers (I’ve had a sweet potato)…but give it a little section or a clean face and it flies! I feel like i am surfing loads better since i started riding it. It has a very thin nose and tail that are very sensitive, but the general shape is forgiving. Ive ridden it in slightly overhead and actually made sections I wouldn’t normally expect to make. Living in the UK, i can see this board being what i ride 90% of the time, with a HP shortboard for the rare, special days. (Im 6ft, about 85KG and riding a 5’8 stock dims)

  • Clay Steffes

    The Puddle Jumper or The Fling by Super? South Florida slop chop mush groveling to chest high. Thanks!

  • DartLA

    Hi Benny, I love your reviews, thank you!! Question for you: I’m 165 lbs, and a below average intermediate surfer. I’ve been riding the Lost RV at 5’9, 34+ liters for the past year, and i LOVE the board. But I’ve had a couple of injuries, getting a little older, surfing less, and I feel like I’m catching fewer and fewer waves so I want to size up for a while. Do you think it would be crazy to get an over-sized Puddle Jumper for this purpose? I was thinking a 5’11 at 41+Liters, which is way more than recommended for my size. (Every chart tells me to stay under 34 liters, but those charts don’t know what a crap surfer I am!) Or am I better off going with a retro mid length egg, or maybe the bing dharma? I really love the way the Lost boards surf, but not sure if I’d be defeating the purpose by adding so much foam. I don’t really need the stability of a longer board. I just need easier wave catching – MUCH easier. Hoping to get back on a smaller board eventually, but I need to have more fun in the meantime. 🙂 I’d love your feedback, thanks!!

  • Mike Z

    Great reviews Benny! Glad to see you’re not afraid to explain the cons of the boards you review. Very helpful!

    I’m trying to decide between a 5’9”Average Joe, 5’9”Puddle Jumper and 5’10”RV (all stock dims) to fit between my longboard and Roberts Dream Catcher (6’1”,~36L, stock dims). I know these 3 boards are “higher performance” grovelers, but in your opinion, which of these 3 do you think has the better low end wave catching ability and easiest paddling? My initial thoughts are just up the size/volume of an AJ or PJ to gain the speed but the RV seems to have a flatter rocker.. My surfing level is advanced, but paddling skill is intermediate (sold my potato chip boards for a reason!). Also, I’m 6’0” 180lbs, and will often be in a 4-5ml wetsuit. Appreciate your help!

  • Cameron McLeod

    Hey Benny. Thanks for the review, seems like a great board. Keen to go for it but just a little hesitant.

    I’m 25 M, 80kg, 180cm, fit, decent paddling ability (swimmer), going into my third season, surf a few days a week except for winter, currently riding a 7’3″ fun board, confident but still just doing simple maneuvers, in New York so most days pretty mushy and small.

    You think this would be an ok transition board for me or I should go for more of a groveller e.g. bottom feeder? Really like the look of the Puddle Jumper and want to challenge myself but also wanna keep progressing. Sizing suggestions would be great too.

    Thanks for the help!

    Cam

  • Marty

    Hey Benny! do you maybe have any reference, volume and dims wise to any other groveller board? I have been riding a 5’8 with 37,8l so far, very very “grovelly” board I have to say. Now I want to replace it by a pj as I hope to get a little more maneuverability out of it, even though i want to surf it in the same wave range. Im living in a very flat faced, weak and mushy wave area. My step up board is a v3 rocket 6’0 with 35l. The “dilemma” im facing is whether I should get the 5’8pj with 36,8l or a 5’9pj with 38l. Even though i liked my old board i felt like it made my surfing a little lazy cuz i was always relying on its volume. I don’t know if the pj in itself is a much more responsive board or if im going to sacrifice a lot of its “grovelness” by going smaller in volume? However, i don’t wanna get too close to my step up (the v3 either) as i wanna build a good quiver…
    My regular short board for better waves is a lost v2 with 32 liters. Im 187cm and about 87kg. Your help would be much appreciated!
    cheers marty

    • Mat Rvl

      hey mate ! I m the same size as you more or less and your description above is where i am ! did yo get the PJ ? What did you think of it on small mushy stuff ?

  • Pingback: Misfit Surfboards Dope Machine Review | Compare Surfboards()

  • Tim

    Hey Benny love the site and reviews mate! I am after some advice if possible as am
    looking at getting the Lost- Puddle jumper and wondering what your thoughts are
    on size for this as a groveller. I am 6ft 73kg
    and intermediate surfer. With good fitness(surf every 2nd day) and want this
    board as a functional groveller in ankle high to waist waves when it just
    doesn’t have the power for a normal board. My next board up is the v3 rocket
    which I love but again just lacks the drive in the mushy days

    Any advicewould be appreciated mate as I find the board shops only want to sell you what
    they have in stock on the floor on that day they don’t actually care what would
    best suit your conditions and purpose

  • Tim

    Hey Mate I am fairly similar dimensions to you how have you found this board size (literage) so far as being a groveller as I am toying between the 5’5 or the 5’6 as is a bit of difference in the leterage although not sure if it will be a little over volume at 5’6 33L. Any feedback on how you have found the 5’5 in small rubbish waves would be appreciated.
    Cheers mate

  • JJWM

    Hi Benny – thanks for all the reviews, it’s good to get a unbiased perspective on a lot of boards I’m interested in. Especially when that perspective is from a bigger guy who is a normal surfer rather than a pro. Always makes me laugh when companies are trying to sell grovellers and then attach a video of some flyweight pro tearing up pretty fun, head high surf!

    My 2 cents on the Puddle Jumper:

    For me it ticks all the boxes as a small wave weapon. I’m 6’1″ and 94kg (around 210lbs I think?) and after a bit of umming and aahing I went for the 5’8″ and it’s perfect. It catches waves easily – I’ve ridden it from knee high up to a little overhead and it really excels in the waist to shoulder high range.

    It paddles really well – I like the fact there’s a bit of rocker and it can cut through chop or be ‘bullied’ into waves a bit (as opposed to some of the more ironing board inspired designs!)

    I agree about the extra speed – had exactly the same experience with making sections I didn’t expect to right from my first outing. The tail is wide enough to compensate for my clumsy foot placement but can really carve around when you stick your weight on the back. The rails never seem to dig and I find myself going for manoeuvres I wouldn’t normally have the confidence to because the board just seems to fly out of everything. I’m riding it as a quad with the Biolos large fins – seem to suit the board very well. Enough lift but still loose and carvey.

    Probably the only conditions it hasn’t dominated have been in sucky, steep shore break when I’d have preferred something with a bit more rocker and a narrower profile that ‘bit’ into the wave a bit better. I have other boards for that though.

    Previously in this area I’ve owned a Sweet Potato (marmite – some great days/some terrible), CI Biscuit (couldn’t get on with it), and JS Blak Box (lovely board but not enough low end performance for small waves) but none of them sparked like this board did. The shape is spot on. I couldn’t comment on how a smaller, more light footed surfer would get on with it but for a bigger guy I can’t find a downside. If it’s too small for the PJ you should be on a longboard or on the beach.

    Cheers

    James
    Current quiver:
    9’2″ Nohana Trim King
    5’8″ Puddle Jumper
    5’7″ Tomo Vulcan
    6’2″ CI DFR

    • Ant785

      Thats a great summary, really useful…mainly as Im a similar weight and height to you and getting close to going for a 5’8, and also looking to probably replace a SP, which I have had similar experiences with! I just tried a 5’9 demo PJ and like everyone says, i was making sections on head high waves I would not expect to make. The 5’9 felt a little bulky in smaller surf though. I was a little worried about really small waves, how have you found it goes in real small & weak stuff? I have a lovely longboard Ive hardly used since i got he SP, so its real low end performance isn’t necessarily a game changer! Completely unrelated question, how have you found the DRF, was thinking about that or a fred rubble but dont want to go longer that 6’1/6’2 but that puts me at 31/32l which seems like not enough volume?

      • JJWM

        Hi Ant
        I’ve had the 5’8″ on some knee to waist high days and it can go really well – if it’s clean and lined up you will have a lot of fun, particularly with the quad set up as it provides a lot of lift (without having the crazy width of a SP!) If it’s tiny and mushy then I’m not sure any board will go that well to be honest – time to dust off the longboard for those sessions probably!
        I really like the DFR as my ‘good’ shortboard – in hindsight I could have gone for the 6’3″ and not suffered for it. It has a really intelligent volume distribution with a bit of thickness right under your chest when you’re paddling but it flies round turns off the tail – smaller guys probably think it has a wide profile but for a heavier surfer it’s spot on I reckon. I’d definitely have a play around with fins though – the stock ones felt very sluggish and really undersold the board. Once I’d switched them round to something a bit larger the board really clicked for me. Haven’t surfed a Rubble so can’t make a fair comparison but they’re a nice looking shape. I’ll use the DFR in anything steep/sucky from about chest high and up and all bigger waves – I find it pretty user friendly.
        Hope that helps – let us know what you go for and how it works out!

        • Ant785

          Thanks, that is really useful…I’ve really liked the 5’9 PJ, but I do think the 5’8 may be a better fit in terms of manoeuvrability.

          Currently I have a 5’4 SP, and a 6’1 rounded tail, it was meant to be an all rounder that I have only ever clicked with in really good surf. There is a definite gap. I’m torn with getting a Short round to go in the middle or, going for a PJ and a proper shortboard shape – DFR, Rubble or maybe the Baby Buggy which would be my volume (33 / 34.5L) in a 6’0/6’1 board. I miss having a proper shortboard!

          • JJWM

            Yeah I know the dilemma! I’ve just picked up a Lost V3 Rocket 5’11” for Christmas as I wanted to replicate some of the performance of the PJ in a more regular short board shape. Impressions so far have all been positive!

            I think it comes down to personal preference at the end of the day – if you like a smaller board and are happy in your technique then go for the 5’8″. Particularly if you’ve tried the 5’9″ and found it bulky and have an alternative mega groveller if necessary.

            Good luck – don’t think you’ll go too far wrong with the boards you have in mind.

  • http://comparesurfboards.com/ thebenny

    Hey Daniel, just answered a similiar question from another frother!

    – I wouldn’t personally put the Seaworthy’s in the PJ – they’re great for really fat, wide tails but the PJ tail is quite refined. My ideal fins for the PJ (and pretty much every small to medium size, average wave board!) are the Futures EA Blackstix! You can have a look and buy them here:

    http://bit.ly/ShopFuturesEABla…

    and these trailers if you’re a quad man!

    http://bit.ly/1G6rlsX

  • http://comparesurfboards.com/ thebenny

    Hey Billy, I wouldn’t personally put the Seaworthy’s in the PJ – they’re great for really fat, wide tails but the PJ tail is quite refined. My ideal fins for the PJ (and pretty much every small to medium size, average wave board!) are the Futures EA Blackstix! You can have a look and buy them here:

    http://bit.ly/ShopFuturesEABlackstix3

    and these trailers if you’re a quad man!

    http://bit.ly/1G6rlsX

  • Roland Czechowski

    Hi Benny, you note that you use a Blackstix rear QD2 fin 3.0. I think you have a typo on your site as in the photos you use a 4.0 and smallest on the Futures site is 3.5. Anyhow the rear foil on the Blackstix rear quad fins are an 80/20 foil but the ones you have in the board on the photos are the honeycomb constructions which, according to the Futures site, is symmetrical foil. Can you please clear up exactly which rear quad you prefer in this board? Cheers, Roland

  • Sergio Toró

    Hello I am a Brazilian surfer of 46 years , 1.90 meters and 95kg . I’m thinking of buying a PJ . However I am in doubt the ideal size. Today I surf with a Rusty Dwart 5.11 37.6 liters and I’m really enjoying this proportion. I wanted to get a 6.0 PJ however do not know if I buy Standart Dims or the Slim Dims… What do you suggest me?
    Thanks

  • Marco Renzi

    @thebenny:disqus Great Ben,
    one question… how do you compare this board to the channel island Mini?
    They look quite similar in the tail shape, but i really would like to know from a professional reviewer and surfer like you what do you think in the small wave range.

    Thanks
    Marco

  • Marco Renzi

    Hi Ben, dimensions that you declare in your review are 5’11 x 21 5/8 x 2 7/8.
    But from lost website we have 5’11″ 22.25″ 2.75″ 41.8
    I was thinking that having a thicker board could affect the thin tail of the PJ….does it happen?
    This is because i would have gone for a 5’8, changing stock dims 5’8″ 21.50″ 2.63″ 36.8 to 21.50″ 2.75″ . I’m 5’11 x 81kg…and now i’m riding a 5’11 rv , paddles like a beast, but it feels too bulky.

    Thx
    Marco

  • Marco Renzi

    Hi Ben, dimensions that you declare in your review are 5’11 x 21 5/8 x 2 7/8.
    But from lost website we have 5’11″ 22.25″ 2.75″ 41.8
    I was thinking that having a thicker board could affect the thin tail of the PJ….does it happen?
    This
    is because now i’m riding a 5’11 rv , paddles like a beast, but it feels too bulky, so i would have gone for a 5’8 PJ, changing stock dims 5’8″
    21.50″ 2.63″ 36.8 to 21.50″ 2.75″ . I’m 5’11 x 81kg…
    Does it affect PJ performances? Should i keep lost dimensions?

    Thx
    Marco

  • gkekoa

    Benny, how would you compare the FW baked potato and the puddle jumper and the avg joe, looking for a performer and try one of these small short boards. i usually ride a 6’4 x 21 x 2 3/4 but looking for something shorter for a dufferent feel though i like to still perform on it and push the wave heights, lmk what you think diference is and what would be better for oahu reef waves, g

  • http://comparesurfboards.com/ thebenny

    Hey Greg, the Puddle Jumper is awesome when it’s smaller! It’s super fast and lively in the sub head high range – that said, I always get my small wave boards a touch larger so they have plenty of get up and go when it’s small!

  • mjstatic

    Hey Ben, How does the Puddle Jumper compare to the Lost Short Round.

    • http://comparesurfboards.com/ thebenny

      Good question! In short, I would call the Puddle Jumper a performance groveler – feels really lively and responsive in small stuff (knee to chest) but it wouldn’t be my first choice for anything bigger. The Short Round, I feel, comes into its own at stomach high but can go easily overhead and it has a performance shortboard feel in that small to medium size wave range.

  • Scott

    Hi Benny,
    Great review! Just wondering how you would compare the puddle jumper to the average joe by CI performance wise for in beach break waves? Thanks!

  • Machiel

    Hey Benny thanks for the review. If you would buy it in eps construction would you buy it with a wooden stringer of with a Carbon parabolic. Maybe the carbon stringer makes it To sensitive

  • Al

    Hey Benny

    Great job on the review. Is there too much overlap to have an RV and puddle jumper in a quiver? I was thinking of getting a puddle jumper more as my daily driver for stomach to a little over head with my normal volume and using the rv more in thigh to chest range which I have with more volume. What are your thoughts?

    Also it’s hard to tell but does the puddle jumper have a flat tail or is there a bit of a kick in the tail compared to other domesticated boards?

    Thanks
    Al

  • John

    Benny
    I’m trying to pick the right puddle jumper at 6′ 210 thinking the 6’4″ but am worried that it might feel to chunky the other would be the 6’1 the range form 45 to 48 liters
    Any input
    Thanks
    John

  • http://comparesurfboards.com/ thebenny

    Hi Kurt, it’s a great option – methinks the RV still has the edge when it’s tiny but, yes, when it’s a touch bigger and more powerful, I really like the ride of the Puddle Jumper

  • nevertoold

    Hey Benny, Always great insight in your reviews. Big fan of Matt’s boards. have a lazytoy 5-10 that I’m surprise on the range this board surf in. fun board. The puddle jumper has to sizes standard and slim. What was the board you tested standard or slim? The 5-10 is the one I have my I on. Which is the best for this little puppy for its performance ability . slim or standard. cheers…

    • http://comparesurfboards.com/ thebenny

      Hey, really appreciate your cool feedback and awesome to hear your take on the LazyToy…I’ve had my eye on one for some time!

      My dims are closer to standard – I took Matt’s (Biolos) dims and blew them up a touch (he’s 95kg, I’m closer to 110kg).

      I didn’t ride the slim but I think the delineation – Slim vs. Standard – is more to suit the rider’s body type than it is intended to make one version perform better than another.

      • Anton Katz

        On the volume note Benny, I noticed that volume wise you rode smack bang in the middle of your all-rounder and groveller. So is this what you would recommend? In other words about 2-3 litres more than your all-rounder depending on the volume range of your quiver?

  • Anton Katz

    Hey Benny

    As you know, I’ve been one of those guys dying to hear about
    this board, so thanks for the comprehensive review 🙂

    The board sounds awesome, but I would very much like that board
    to fit into the groveler category of my quiver. So bearing that in mind, would
    you say this grovels as well as the Cab Sav, or better? Where would the turning
    capability differ? Also you seemed to ride it with standard dims and a quad
    fine setup in small/grovelly waves, so I assume that’s what you recommend?

    Cheers,
    Anton

    • http://comparesurfboards.com/ thebenny

      Anton, frother extraordinaire, I thought you would appreciate this one!

      Similar to my response to Kurt below, I think the Cab Sav / RV / über tiny wave grovelers will still – er, grovel – a touch better but if it’s small and you want to really throw it around, this Puddle Jumper is hard to beat!

      • Anton Katz

        Spot on Benny, thanks for that extra bit of clarification

  • Greg

    Hey Benny, Great review! If i had a nickel for every time i heard the marketing hype of “best board ever ridden” but coming from you gives it credibility and caught my attention. I think we’re about the same size – i typically ride boards in the same vol range as you – does the 5’11” feel just right or would you go smaller if you we’re to get another one? I also have an RV (6’0″) as my small wave board – should i drop it like a hot rock and go get a Puddle Jumper – can you elaborate a little more on the differences between the two?

    Thanks –

    • http://comparesurfboards.com/ thebenny

      That’s a huge compliment Greg, much appreciated!

      My 5’11 feels perfect – I wouldn’t change a thing about the dims and it’s an interesting parallel you’ve drawn with the Nano. On the smaller end of the wave range, yes, I think there is overlap. They’re both performance tuned and fast as hell. I haven’t ridden the Puddle Jumper in anything overhead but the Nano is surprisingly adept in bigger, better waves.

      As for the RV, check out the other comments below!

      • Greg

        Hey Benny,
        I picked up the 5’8″. You’re right about the sensitive tail – i found my front foot too far back on it and was pushing and stalling. A slight adjustment forward and it takes off like a bat out of h3ll.

        I went a little too low on volume – paddling and catching waves found it too similar to my daily driver – Minnie Driver.

        BTW – i had a chance to try a Lost LazyToy – 5’11” this weekend in groveler conditions – that board was an absolute blast – most fun i’ve had in one session on a board in a long time. Conditions were such that 3-4 longboarders did not even paddle out. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. A really really fun groveler.

        • http://comparesurfboards.com/ thebenny

          Awesome Greg, I’m pretty keen to try a LazyToy when we hit small wave season here (Sydney). As for the Puddle Jumper, did you make peace with the volume? I always like to ride these types of boards (the ones intended for tiny, weak waves) a bit bigger than my daily driver. For me, that’s 38-40L’s going up to 42-45L’s.

          Anyway, thanks very much for sharing – great to hear your take.

          • Greg

            Hey Benny, I ended up selling the 5’8″ & picking up a 5’10” PJ. Tried the 5’10” out at Lowers and it was magic. I just recently sold the LazyToy – I found myself needing a step-down HP thruster for waist to OH – mushy or average conditions – typical SoCal. The LazyToy’s wave range for me overlaps the PJ. I just picked up a Lost Sub Scorcher 2 – double bump swallow tail – 6’2″. Reminds me of the MR Twin/Super Twin boards. Of course has been nearly flat since getting it – still waiting to give it a go.

          • http://comparesurfboards.com/ thebenny

            Awesome Greg, great to hear the 5’10 Puddle Jumper is working for you!

            Funny you mention the MR twins in relation to the Sub Scorcher 2. Biolos has said MR is one of his favourite influences – perhaps here where Biolos talks us through his ‘Go To’ Quiver: http://bit.ly/MattBiolosMyQuiverLostSubScorcher2

          • Greg

            Thanks! FYI – I’ve had a couple sessions on the SS2 – as a thruster – both sessions waves were gutless waist high – so haven’t had a chance to really see what it can do. New swell just arrived – heading out tomorrow with it configured as a twin + a small knubster. I like the fact that there are some MR influences in the board – i was fortunate to personally see him surf twin fin boards in waves of consequence on North Shore. BTW – i liked the Lost Short Round review – how does it compare to the Puddle Jumper?

        • Marco Renzi

          Hi Greg! i’m 5’11 x 81kg, i was looking to buy a 5’8 pj, but it looks having not that much volume in your opinion! Does it? What do you suggest?
          I’m currently riding a 5’11 rv 39.6lt, but it feels a little too big to me!

          • Greg

            Hey Marco,
            Looks like we’re about the same weight. The 5’8″ PJ I had was 36.9L – didn’t think it had enough volume – even though my 6’2″ Mini Driver is at 36.05L. The PJ was an inch wider. The 5’10” PJ was 40.6L – great for catching waves but lost a little on the performance side. Something between the 5’8″ & 5’10” would have been optimum. I’ve owned RV’S as well – personally I think you can get away with less volume on the RV due to the rolled bottom – PJ has the concave bottom. After I got used to the 5’10” PJ – started to feel bulky as well. I think you’re best bet is going custom. I’ve sold my PJ’s and just picked up a custom Bulkley Psycho Polywog – it is very similar to the Lost Double Blunt. Bulkley shapes for Lost – in fact picked the board up at the Lost Factory. He put a spiral vee in the bottom with double concaves out the back. Best board I’ve ridden. Dims on it are 6’1″ x 21.06 x 2.65 x 37.56L.

            Good luck,

            Greg

          • Marco Renzi

            Thanks Greg…i’ll take a look.
            I don’t know if it is the best choiche, but i was thinking in getting a thicker PJ. 5’8 21’5 x 2.75 , i’m waiting for Bennys reply just to know if that could work.

          • Greg

            No problem – if I were to get another PJ would probably go with a 5’9″ OTR – or as you suggest a 5’8″ with a little more volume. If fact – thinking about it a little beefier 5’8″ would be a sick board!

  • http://www.superfastbusiness.com/ James Schramko

    looks sweet!

    • http://comparesurfboards.com/ thebenny

      Hey James, it depends on my mood! The Dharma is a great, cruisy option that still performs whereas this Lost Puddle Jumper is very performance oriented, especially for something with such a wide outline.

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