Most people start out surfing on a longboard or some sort of oversized, beginner friendly surfboard. If it clicks and you stick with it your board will probably get a bit shorter as you get better.
My first board years ago was a big ‘ol 7’0 NWSD thruster, big-guy-tri, water logged, hand-me-down, POS. That thing seriously sucked and held me back for a while. I should’a just went with a longboard for a bit, learned how to paddle, catch a wave, ride a wave etc. Instead i took beatings for two years. The second board i got was a thick 6’5 Rusty fish from a friend. Then a beat up 6’5 Bessel, then a 6’5 Stretch, then another 6’5 Stretch, and then a 6’2 Pod (RIP). Now i’m on a 6’0 Lost Monkfish. Totally stoked–here’s my take on it:
The Monkfish came out in 2008. Lost makes it in a bunch of different combinations–thruster, quad, 5 fin, rounded pin, swallow tail, and a weird bat tail thing. I got the rounded pin/quad.
The board has a lot of foam and is intended to be ridden quite a bit shorter than a traditional shortboard. I run about 200 pounds and the 6’0 Monkfish has plenty of float. I’m sure i could ride a few inches shorter but i need an easier paddle due to this.
The float on this board allows you to get into waves early and catch dinky waves relatively easy. The rails on the Monkfish are quite a bit tighter than the Pod–really quick bottom turns. A lot of times on the Pod i couldn’t get a tight enough bottom turn–i’d have to draw out the turn more. This board bites much harder. The board feels faster down the line and much quicker top-to-bottom (see specs below). As a quad, the board rides loose and lively but feels pretty damn locked in and in control.
I’ve ridden this board in small, knee-to-waist surf and it’s fast–generates speed with a couple pumps insta. I’ve also had this board at a couple legit heavy waves in WA on well overhead days. Although not the ideal board…it did juuuust fine on sizeable drops and is surprisingly stable hauling ass (of course i did get murdered a few times).
I got my Monkfish about 5 months ago, right after the ocean snapped my Pod in half. I’ve had it in all kinds of waves since then and it continues to please. Every time i’ve gotten a new board it seems like i have a significant change in the way i surf and this Monkfish is no different. I’ve definitely gotten a lot more confident in my surfing–especially backhand. The Monkfish has allowed me to progress for sure. Best board i’ve owned yet.
I get the impression that the Monkfishies aren’t easy to come by in the PNW. But i’ve seen em at WaveHounds in Seattle, SSS in Seaside, and Moments in PC. But if you’re looking for a versatile board that dominates in smaller junk surf, but can hold it down when waves start pumping, take a look at the Lost Monkfish.
Here’s some specs:
| Board | Lost Monkfish | Stretch F4 | CI Pod |
| Length | 6’0″ | 6’5″ | 6’2″ |
| Thick | 2.5″ | 2.63″ | 2 5/8″ |
| Width | 20.25″ | 19.5′ | 20 3/4″ |
| Nose | ~15.0″* | 12.5″ | ~15.0″ * |
| Tail | ~15.0″* | 15.0″ | ~14.0″ * |
*Couldn’t find specs online so i measured the width of both the nose and tail on the bottom of the board, 12 inches inward from either end.
More info about the Monkfish here: http://www.lostenterprises.com/surfboards/details/the-monkfish
Here’s a video of Biolas describing the Monkfish shape:
Here’s a super sick video of Corey Lopez from 5’5″ x 19 1/4″ Redux. Evidently the Monkfish was shaped specifically for this wave:
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Always thought those boards looked sick. Got a seed instead. Some of the new Lost shapes are sick too…
Right on. Heard those seeds are rad. You have an epox?
Have a friend with Rocket. He’s super stoked. Two others with Motivators. Maybe they’ll pipe in…
ya. those motivators look super fun.
or u get better, learning how to walk the board, trim, nose ride and catch everything in site. longboards rule. shortboards are fun too, though.
No offense, but longboards are for old men and young girls….
Even big dumb apes have been seen slaying it on longboards… ride what you got, d.o.c.
p.s. Smells Like Up Dog in here
doc, you always want more. surfing, napping, easy rides to and around the coast, etc.. just be happy with what you have.
word. i live in hawaii and surf a variety of boards, mainly classic short board shapes. i do however have some boards fatter than others for shitty wind swell and what-not. i was just back in WA and surfed a couple days, riding a classic 6’2 x 2 1/4 x 18 1/4 and was hurting. we had so much fun though! and luckily scored some good summer waves but i would have given a nut to have had double the foam. i had forgotten how soft and mushy the entry is. if i was a WA surfer with out a doubt 20+ wide and at least 2 1/2 thick. but that’s just me.
Man I coulda used something other than my Monkfish last Sunday at the Cove.
Have a Mex trip coming up and trying to figure out what boards to bring.
why not get local shapes?
Biolos, the Al Merick for crack heads.