I just bought the exact same RNF96. I have three: Poly, Black Sheep, and Light Speed. Best board I’ve ever ridden. Does everything in anything. It’s something special; a board that does no wrong. My Seaside I use when it’s small small. Fastest I ever went from pumping alone was on a my seaside on a shin high wave. It was a rocket-ship! I took the Seaside out all last winter on over head days. It’s toooooo fast. And, it’s a bit hard to turn in big surf if you pump more than twice down the line…you’ll just be going too fast. I had to consciously remember only one pump off the take off or I was doing 100mph and dusting the entire wave before I knew what happened. On some days, I guess that’s a good thing when you don’t want to get closed out on stuck behind big giant bomb sections. 🤷🏽♂️ But, yeah it’s has a way different approach, and all the lines you take are diagonal for sure. Taking off on steeper stuff requires a different line. 🤙🤙
how do the three different constructions in the 96 compare to you? particularly is the black sheep worth it over light speed, and do either get too chattery with texture on the surface compared to the poly. Good to know about the Seaside as well, I've been itching to give one a try.
@@wesleychapman9001 so, I haven’t ridden the Black Sheep yet. I just ordered it from Catalyst in FL. I was watching them disappear online everywhere over the last 3 months, so I jumped. My Poly is the best frankly. But it has had 13 ding repairs. I live on Big Island. All Lava. The light speed is chattery on bigger days. But it has its moments. It has more snap whereas the poly has more feel and natural flow. Sadly, because everyone says eps floats better I dropped an inch on my light speed, and it wasn’t the same. It’s a bit too short in my estimation. I had the exact fin set up, 2 + t captain specials, but they didn’t work on the EPS. Too much drag. The one inch less in rail line makes a huge difference and the eps feels fatter and more round, and less knifey in the tail. The tail even looks thicker on the EPS, which I don’t like. I put Noel’s neutrals on it and ride his fins with the old tiny t, and as a full thruster. They are a little less upright so I can push more off the bottom where I’m losing out with drive from less rail line. That’s the best way to describe it. I went back up an inch with black sheep, so I’ll keep you posted. Our waves should be getting good. I’m gonna toss a set of Taylor Knox fins on the Black Sheep. I want a little last minute hold because my upright captains seem to lose grip at a certain point on my wrap, bogging me a bit. Top to bottom they’re sick though, loose and fast. But I used to live in Waikiki 20 years and longboarded with a big swoop fin. That Taylor Knox fin has a big base with a swoop tip. I saw Mick had that same design with his 2+ t fins. I’m hoping the concept holds over from what I remember that feel like on my longboard when I was cranking a wrap. It would give me that last minute boomerang effect just before any bogging could happen. We’ll see. If not, gonna order another neutral fin set from Noel or maybe his 2 + t. Not sure yet. But the RNF96 is the best board all around for any day I’ve ever surfed. First day I rode it and everyday after it was just magic under foot. You don’t surf it, it surfs itself, you just follow along.
@@mikeuptegrove wow ! Amazing! Thank you so much for your great breakdown n help ! Very helpful info ! I was almost ready to order it in lightspeed For small gutless waves, since I live in the Mediterranean, but I was a bit skeptical about the pu version, and about wich size to get I also want to get my first twin fin board , Have you ever tried it as a twin ?
@@mikeuptegrove love the feed back, especially on how the shorter eps didn't cut it. keep us posted on the Black sheep and if the wax has a hard time sticking to it on hot days
How does it work in onshore condition? Git a seaside love it but doesn't work with chop. Pyzalien 2 s good but on the lower size range I wanted to fill the gap with rnf 96. What u reckon?
@@gglendormi I have not ridden another board in months since i got this thing. The C4 construction handles chop like a poly but has a little extra pop. I have ridden it in knee high to overhead waves and i love it. When it's head high or more i usually throw in a thruster set but most of the time I'm on a 2+1. I don't think you'll be disappointed just get your dims dialed if not going stock. I ordered mine a half ltr more plus the eps is another half so it's like 1 ltr more than stock. Hope that helps.
When I picked up my NB3 decision made by your vid, asked the guy to get me a 5’0” Bobby quad no available. But again, after seeing your clip about BQ I ordered one. Now this clip, no doubt about you. Great clips, always.
Got a Lost RNF (anniversary edition - which i think is a similar/the same outline as the 96) and i played around with different fin setups for ages before lastly trying it as a twin....wow, turned it from a good board to an unbelievable board. Great review as always!
Hey Noel. I have the Pod Mod and I love it as a quad, I have used the Tim Stamps futures . But recently I put a set of rastovich Twin + 1. And the board feels unreal with those fins. I have tried thruster, quads but the 2plus 1 transformed the board. Just thought I'd mention it. 👍🏻. Love the show by the way. Tuning in from Australia 🇦🇺
thank you for the vid noel. live in florida growing up. surfed until i had to move away in hs. i'm in my 40s now with a family and moved back to fl. very helpful video because i am looking for that do it all surfboard for the east coast. blessings.
Stoked on this series! I have a 5-8 Bobby quad in PU and wow it is so versatile. Deck holding up well but bottom is beat up. Bet spine tec would be epic. Also have a Flat Earth 6-0, largely based upon your review and is another board that suits a great range of conditions and still does not have a single deck compression on it..just have to use it on non windy days. You rock Noel!!
Noel, it seems like you only review more mainstream shapers’ boards, but you’ve got to get your hands on a Von Sol Shadow. I’ve ridden a few of these, and the Shadow as a quad blows them out of the water. It’s super-fast and by-far the best one-board quiver hybrid that I’ve ridden!
Noel! love the stuff. Id love a video talking about how to to work on 'flow'. I hear the judges always talk about how a competitor doesn't waste any movements and is fluid through their turns. Id love a video breaking that down.
You said the Rocket Wide was the best small wave performance board in waves from 1to 3 foot waves.And I have found the same in my Rocket Wide Spine Tek at 5'4" same dims you tested.And I have even had alot of fun in the 3 to 4 foot hurricane swells this past summer here in Florida I out in the N.V.S. comps in the g10 special fiberglass Larges.I am 5'6 150lbs and bro those fins were incredible the flex was crazy for the overall speed but the fins hold and then drive out of turns was amazing for how the short rail line Rocket Wide was able to really settle down in turns with heaps of speed coming out of them to be ahead of section with ease.And the fins helped the board drop in on pretty steep takeoffs because as soon as those super fiberglass fins engage the wave face the fin depth held the board closer to the wave no air getting under the board.And once your up and going the board felt like a performance board but 3" shorter. I think the tail rocker and the The NVS APEX SERIES COMP larges. Can't wait to put in my new boards coming for winter season. But was just surprised the Rocket Wide didn't make the top 5 of the Hybrid performance board category. Highly recommend doing a review of those NVS APEX SERIES FINS because they were super fast and responsive in 1 to 3 feet made the board accelerate so quick it was next level without slipping it was flexing all the way thru turns and accelerating out with the fins flexing back to shape rockets the board in front of the next section.
Thanks for the great video! Nice to see a Torq board in the lineup. Even though it’s not their original design. People knock the Torq boards but I’ve had a few and they’re great boards for the low price 👍🏼
the Chili BV2 epoxy in "pure" grovel condition isn't my preferred option up to now, but it might change with time, maybe too because I feel like twins are definitely killing it in groveling conditions ... I've to work hard to generate speed, seems a bit sticky sometimes. In small weak waves the best set up for met is to put 2 side M fcs reactors + MR twin stabilizer in the middle, board is looser and faster, it is fun. As soon as waves are a bit bigger and stronger (in grovel conditions still), I put 3 fcs reactors (I've tried MR 2+1, carbon stiffer reactors, fcs performer ... disappointing). As an example, my CI fishbeard with same dims and volume is working much better to grovel. The BV2 starts to shine when the wave pushes correctly, I would say at the top end of groveling :-) it is really responsive and sensitive in the tail which I love. Definitely a crazy good paddler, I know I will take any wave coming up. I probably still have to figure out if I can find a better fin setup to make it grovel like magic :-)
Hey mate, how did you find your BV2 eventually? Im looking at getting one - probably dropping 3 inches and keeping same volume as HPSB but going eps for the extra spice and float. Cheers
@@Ronny439 Hi I would say beacause I've many boards I tend to always pick another one that is a bit similar condition wise (CI fishbeard/js black baron or pyzelian) but I still enjoy the change and ride the BV2. My main concern about it is that I love "slim" noses with some rocker (more perf orientated) and because in grovel conditions and when waves are better I can't surf it as I would like too, I have fun only in very particular conditions. this is really subjective, the only way too know is to try ! in the same category I think the JS black baron is killing it !!
Hi! Do you mind to share the dims of the board? I found one 5.4 flexbar 29l. Im 155lb and my groveler is a 31l. Firewire spitfire. Do you think the shape and the fuller nose can compensate the volume difference? Im afraid of losing paddleability...
@@bernatANDORRA no worries but bear in mind, I'm 53yo, 72kg (approx158lbs), had a break from regular surfing for a few years and my last board was a mid length 6'7". My Pod Mod is 6.0', 39.1l. I love it. Catching so many waves and making turns like I was in my 20s. Almost feels like I am cheating and shouldn't be surfing this well but this board makes it happen. If you are younger and regular surfer you could definitely go shorter and the 5'4 maybe just right
@@bernatANDORRA No problem just bear in mind that I am 53yo, 72kg (approx 160lbs), had a break from regular surfing for a few years and my last board was a mid length 6'7". My Pod Mod is 6.0', 21 1/8, 2 3/4 and 39.1ltrs. I love it. I am catching so many waves and making turns like I was in my 20s. Almost feels like I am cheating with how quickly my surfing has come back on this board. If you are younger and regular surfer then the 5'4 could be just right. Mine paddles like a dream
Awesome series mate. I've seen a lot of reviews on small waves performance and grovellers on the channel and kind of learn already how to pick those to category of boards. Now I missing reviews on boards for those days when the cyclones hits the coast and we have to deal with a bit of current and 6ft + waves. Hope you include those in this series. Keep the good work mate 👍
I have the pod mod in Torq construction. After about 6 months of scanning my local shops, I lucked upon a very rare one that's actually as light as a standard (4/6 oz glass) PU, but most Torq pod mods are disturbingly heavy. I'm guessing it's the white paint they frequently glop on to cover sloppy work. Furthermore, the newest version (x-lite 2.0) seems to be the heaviest. Mine is awesome, but, if it somehow got destroyed, I wouldn't waste my time looking for another good Torq. I'd probably opt for a libtech RNF 96 with futures boxes...but, of course, would have to inspect a bunch of those, too.
LibTech doesn't currently offer a '96 with Futures. 😞 Their insistence on those proprietary boxes IMHO is driving people towards Varial or XTR, which are bomber choices as well.
@@tamtheoneandthebest The first version Torq pod mod did not have a carbon strip on the deck (only the bottom)...the quality control was better, but they are relatively heavy. The second version (carbon on deck, but before "x-lite 2.0") are the lightest and most flexible, but they do pressure dent. The second generation (x-lite 2.0) are the heaviest. If possible, just pick it up and compare the weight to other torq pod mods in the store...or compare the weight to similar shaped polyester boards.
Would be fun to run some polls with your Patreon community to see which boards have worked for them from these picks. I see a lot of good commentary there and you could even break out by self reported experience level. Maybe youtube polls would be fun too, but easier to spoof?
No Noel, I have HS Holy Grail 5.9 for chest + days and I’m wondering between boby quad and seaside for small mushy weak days. Please, what you’ll recommend me? I use to have average joe for small days but want to try something else.
I rode one for a week and it has a bit to much overall rocker for my So Cal waves. It has more rocker compared to the Shadow, Pyzalien 2, and Ghost. The Highline is loose and responsive but it needs a good wave thats steep to do it’s thing. It would be fun in punchy Beachies or HI waves.
Think you’ll review the sweet potato as a contestant for groveler category? I love mine! And all the content you put out! Pure stoke and knowledge. Thanks Oscar
Can you guys help me? why is there displacement figures? like 27 liters 27000ccs? 27000mls? Im new want a great handling board because like Motocross handling is number one but so I want a porsche gt3 rs and im new lol. Im all about technique so Ill get it thanks!
Great series once again Noel! Super helpful. Would you consider the Ultra Joe, Dominator 2 and Sci-fi 2.0 also to be part of this category? But they just didn’t make the cut? Curious to hear, as they were favorites of you too (besides the sci-fi 2.0). Thanks Noel!
Thanks for the response Noel! So you consider the seaside a better board than the Ultra Joe? I’m thinking about replacing my Ultra Joe (poly) for the Seaside or Black Vulture 2 (epoxy). And are you going to do a best of the best series for the small wave performance boards too?
@@stolkkj The Ultra Joe offers more performance in the pocket compared to the Seaside. The Seaside is faster and loves to carve. I personally like the UJ lines better compared to the Seaside. The UJ will out perform the BV2 in smaller waves too. The UJ is a Groveler not a 1 board quiver
Question Noel - I’m a less perfomance / more intermediate surfer. 80kg. Can you surf these types of boards at around 39 liters (maybe 6”1 or 6”2)? Or should I be looking at something totally different.
Hi Noel, did you ever tried to surf the seaside with twin fin set? If so, which kind of fins would you go? Some more like keel twin or more upright twin fin? I've got a Hurricane surfboard (Sanchez model) that has similar outline but with a thicker tail. Don't know if you know the board from south Africa. Thanks
I have a 5'3 Seaside and I liked the board but it didn't blow me away and I was thinking of selling it and then randomly decided to throw the AMKs on it that I had from my Fishbeard and now I can't get off it. It's literally my fav board ever and I don't want to ride anything else ever again. The board felt so much better the with keels, not as radical and out of control and felt just perfect. I'm really tempted to pick up a seaside and beyond and run it with the AMKs to see what that would be like
@@givememountains I second everything you've said about the CI Keels and the seaside. I am curious to run the H4 quads on it. When I do I will be happy to share the results.
@@surfnshowreviews7777 Will there be a sale for this week? I'm looking to buy a couple of fin sets and could also go with your recommendation.are the H4's worth it? I have a 5'8" Seaside and a 6'2" Phantom. Thank you
Hi Noel, I'm going to grab myself a RNF 96 on the back of your excellent review. Got a quick question for you though. What would be your preferred construction method ( black sheep or libtech)?
I have not been very impressed with torq boards in the past. They're probably great if you're a beginner, but they're just too heavy for me. Seems unfair on the pod mod to review it in the torq construction!
Hi Noel, just left a question on the Patreon page (an older episode of roundhouse cutback), would be nice if you could answer it: In the cutback tutorial I believe you mentioned that do not go all the way to the bottom when cutting back. But in roundhouse cutback we do need to go to the bottom before hitting the rebound. Does this mean that we should know which kind of cutback we’re going to perform at the very beginning of the maneuver? If so, how do we choose between the both? Thanks.
I cannot find your comment so I will answer it here…. In. Roundhouse Cutback you might go to the bottom of the wave at some point when you are in transition from cutting back and then hitting the lip. However… depending on much wave face you have to do your Roundy will determine the lines you draw. Sometimes I find myself at the bottom of the wave in the roundhouse but it’s never something I think about when I start the cutback. Bottom line is need to keep your speed up and the further you go to the bottom the more vertical you can take the rebound… but you gotta keep your speed up.
@Surf n Show I'm surprised the Seaside made it instead of the Mash Up. The Seaside seems fishier comparing to the Mash Up and all the boards in your review.
I had the mashup, after previously owning the seaside, and also the Cali twin. The mashup went amazing in good clean down the line waves , but it wasn't versatile enough. And the fin placement was further up the board, resulting in it being to loose and uncontrolled imo. The Cali twin is an amazing versatile small wave board, but now I have the 96 rnf and it's the most high performance versatile board so far. A factor being the narrower nose. Can't really fault the 96, it just does everything well, no drawbacks. Hope this helps someone.
Hey Noel. I’m looking to buy a new surfboard and I was wondering what you would recommend. I weigh 170 and am 5’9. I find my self liking the pyzel boards and don’t know which one fits my needs. I surf El Porto in Manhattan Beach and am wondering if you recommend the phantom for those 2- 7ft conditions. Also I’m an intermediate to advanced level surfer. Let me know what you think.
Phantom is excellent, I also like the Pyzalien 2 for that quick beach break. My first choice for that wave would be a Mini Ghost Squash tail and second choice is the Pyzalien 2. Both of these boards are fast and pivot quicker compared to the Phantom.
Great review! I do not have a board in head high to 1.5 range and going on trip with point breaks- slopping ,bigger,textured waves. Dilemna figuring which board to buy, was thinking 96, but want 31 liters and 5'7 rail line too short for those waves, need like 5'10, have a few small HPS 5'7's already. Considered BV2 but not in wave range on upper limit. I have the FB but 5'7 27.7, need more float(injuries/crowds). Do you think the FB at 5'10 with modifcation on dims a bit to get 31L could handle these waves or any other board would you recommend to get with 5'10 ,20 W and 2 7/6 dims(difficult to find a more hybrid outline in this dims) ? Dont like pointy HPSB anymore. I am 58 intermediate at 160lb.--Thanks!
Wow- what a match- I really appreciate this, unfortunately, they don't have board in stock in time for trip, very helpful at Rusty though. Other boards spec in range: BV-2, Dominator 2,Uber driver XL, maybe Happy everyday - any suggestions? @@surfnshowreviews7777
I used to have the NB2, liked alot, but too low volume so sold. I'm wondering in 4-6ish foot with energy surf if NB3 would be better option with that round tail than BV2?
I would not get a Dom2 for bigger waves, overhead but fat waves OK, overhead and barreling and the rails become a liability - they'll just let go suddenly.
Good question- I ride my 6-3 Pyzel Gremiln in waist to head and a half.... For me, it is the best 1 board quiver I have ever had (so why do I have 3 Gremlins, a Shadow, and 2 Astro Pops?) Haha. Thanks for the content, makes me want to try them all!
hi Noel, thanks for your videos, how would you compare rnf96 to pyzalien2 ? I am already the owner of a pz2 I ask you as a professional the main differences, thank you
