The Lost Sub Driver 2.0: Evolution of a High-Performance Small Wave Shortboard

The Lost Sub Driver 2.0 represents the pinnacle of small wave performance shortboard design, serving as the flagship model in Lost Surfboards' high-performance lineup. This board has undergone continuous refinement over more than a decade to become one of the most successful and versatile small wave competition surfboards available today.

History and Development

The Sub Driver has deep roots in professional surfing competition, evolving through consistent feedback from top athletes. Since its introduction over a decade ago, it has been the preferred small-wave board for Lost's professional team riders. Kolohe Andino famously rode this model to five WQS event wins when qualifying for the Championship Tour in 2011.

The board's reputation grew significantly when Mick Fanning borrowed one of Kolohe's discarded Sub Drivers during the Lowers Pro competition. After experiencing its performance, Fanning declared that it had "completely changed his perception of what a competition board can be". This endorsement solidified the Sub Driver's status among elite surfers.

The current 2.0 version represents the latest evolution, developed with input from professionals like Kolohe Andino, Griffin Colapinto, and Lost's team of Junior Pros and WQS competitor. The design has been continuously refined at the soft, peeling point breaks of San Clemente to maximize performance in less-than-ideal wave condition.

Key Design Features

Advanced Outline and Shape

The Sub Driver 2.0 incorporates several sophisticated design elements that distinguish it from previous iterations and other performance shortboards:

• Wider, More Forgiving Nose: The enhanced nose width increases forward drive and stability, particularly beneficial when landing aerial maneuver. This straighter forward outline makes wave entry easier and builds forward momentum faster in sub-par surf conditions.
• Reimagined Hip Design: Lost has smoothed out and redesigned the wide hip in the tail to balance the wider forward outline. While still noticeable, this refined hip creates a pivot point for tight, powerful turns even in weaker wave conditions. The hip breaks up the rail line, allowing surfers to carve tightly in weak waves while maintaining control at spe.

Sophisticated Foil and Concave

The board's internal shaping and bottom contours have been meticulously crafted for small wave performance:

• Refined Volume Distribution: The 2.0 features increased thickness along the centerline with added "vee" through the deck, creating a specialized foil for small surf performance. This thicker centerline under the chest enhances paddle power and drive off the front foot, while the lowered rail volume facilitates radical rail turns without sacrificing speed through flatter sections.
• Progressive Concave Configuration: A deeper concave in the rear third accelerates water flow through turns. The rail rocker transitions from a modest forward concave to a deeper, more curved rail line through the front fins, then accelerates upward to a slight vee behind the rear fin. This curvy, extended rail rocker creates a hinge under the rear foot that counterbalances the low, flat centerline tail rocker, enabling tight, vertical turns in the pocket while maintaining down-the-line speed.

Target Surfers and Conditions

Suitable Surfer Profiles

The Sub Driver 2.0 achieves a remarkable balance by serving both professional competitors and everyday surfers:

• Professional Appeal: Consistently requested by competitors worldwide as a specialized weapon for varied and unpredictable WQS surf conditions.
• Accessible Performance: Despite its professional pedigree, it transitions perfectly to everyday surfers with "even modest skills". As Lost describes it, the Sub Driver 2.0 "was derived to benefit the Pros, yet it really is perfect for most 'Bros'".
• Skill Level: Officially recommended for intermediate to advanced surfers seeking high-performance capabilities in challenging wave conditions.

Ideal Wave Conditions

The Sub Driver 2.0 excels in specific surf environments:

• Wave Size: Designed primarily for waist- to head-high points and beach breaks.
• Wave Quality: Particularly effective in connecting sections in mushy point breaks or weak, broken-up beach breaks. The board was specifically developed for competitors in sub-par surf conditions.

Specifications and Options

Construction and Fin Setup

• Fin Configuration: Features a versatile five-fin setup compatible with both FCS and Futures fin systems, allowing for thruster or quad configurations.
• Construction: Available in Lightspeed and Black Sheep Built options.

Sizing Recommendations

The Sub Driver 2.0 can be ridden 1-2 inches shorter than a Driver 2.0 or similar performance shortboard due to its wide nose and tail block combined with the low tail rocker and generous dimensions. 

Available in standard sizing as well as larger "BRO" dimensions for varied surfer sizes and preferences.

LightSpeed is our proprietary surfboard construction built with lightweight EPS foam and high strength epoxy resin.  LightSpeed uses a combination of Rapid-Reflex Carbon Fiber as well vibration dampening Innegra-Fibers, woven into the finest custom performance fiberglass cloth. 

Like the name implies, LightSpeed is both light and exceptionally fast, allowing you to take your surfing to new levels of speed and Pro-formance.  Developed in-house, our crew of board builders worked closely with our top Jr and WQS team riders to create the best possible technology for High Pro-formance small wave and every day surfing. After well over a year of testing various versions, and R&D with some of the world’s best young surfers, we are now making this exciting custom surfboard construction available to all. 

Ultra-Light / Ultra-Lively Foam Core: Steam molded, High Strength-to-Weight Ratio, fused cell, water resistant, stringer-less EPS foam core.

High-Strength, Flexible, Impact Resistant, Epoxy Resin System. Woven Carbon Fiber Centerline “Stringer” (top and bottom): Engineered to add both strength and Rapid-Reflex “pop”, with just enough release to feel forgiving underfoot. The Carbon loads up under foot pressure, and springs upon release.

Fused Carbon, Tail Reinforcement Patches: Transfers more direct input into rail and adds strength.

Centerline Aligned Carbon “Exo-Stringers”: Enable natural Torsional Twist, similar to a wood stringer board, but lighter, and with a much faster reflex reaction and more “pop”.

Innegra Infused, Engineered Composite Fiberglass: A multi weave (6oz lengthwise, woven with 4oz, rail to rail) fiberglass, top and bottom, adds significant break strength, while keeping the boards Ultra-light and Ultra-lively.

5oz Warp-Weave Fiberglass: A multi weave (6oz lengthwise, woven with 4oz, rail to rail) fiberglass, top and bottom, adds significant break strength, while keeping the boards

Ultra-light and Ultra-lively.

LightSpeed – Light and exceptionally fast technology, allowing you to take your small wave and everyday surfing to new levels of speed and Pro-formance.

Check out the Surfboards on LightSpeed Technology 

Matt Biolos and the team at LOST Surfboards have introduced their innovation in surfboard construction: Black Sheep Technology.

This groundbreaking approach to carbon fiber construction delivers an electric, lively feel while maintaining durability and performance.

The defining feature of Black Sheep boards is their unique tri-directional carbon fiber deck wrap. Unlike traditional carbon constructions, this specialized layup uses three distinct directional layers: one running nose to tail and two at opposing 45-degree angles. This configuration creates a responsive flex pattern while preventing the board from becoming too stiff.

"We wanted to make a really pliable, forgiving, lively kind of playful construction," explains Biolos. The construction keeps carbon only on the deck, stopping at the rails to maintain torsional flex and prevent the board from becoming overly rigid.

Each Black Sheep board features:

• 1.5-pound EPS core
• Double-layered fiberglass bottom
• Tri-directional carbon fiber deck
• Non-crimp weave technology for optimal strength

The result? A lightweight, responsive board that maintains durability while delivering performance in various conditions. Pro surfers are already embracing the technology, with extensive testing at wave pools and in ocean conditions showing promising results.

         👀 to your 👉 for more reviews 

LOST Sub Driver 2.0 Review by Noel Salas

Surfboard Shipping

Due to handling requirements, surfboards are shipped with specific protocols and fees.

a. Oahu Store Pickup

HAWAII SURFBOARD SHIPPING RATES

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS:

➤ Hawaiian Air Cargo

(All Size Boards)  - ETA Usually in two days (Boards can be picked up from the Hawaiian Air Cargo Airport from 7AM in the morning, a day after the board has been sent out.)

Hawaiian Air Cargo charges $25 per day if the board is not picked up within 48 hours of arrival at their facility.

CONTINENTAL USA: SURFBOARD SHIPPING