The Lost Formula-1: The Surfboard That Won a World Championship
Quick Answer: What Is the Lost Formula-1?
The Lost Formula-1 is a high-performance round pin surfboard that 2025 World Champion Yago Dora rode to victory at Lowers and throughout his championship run. Designed by legendary shaper Matt Biolos, it's built specifically for head-high and bigger waves with power—think overhead reef breaks, point breaks, and pumping beach breaks. Available at Hawaiian South Shore in sizes 5'4" to 6'8".
What Makes a Round Pin Surfboard Special?
If you've ever watched someone carve a perfect bottom turn on a six-foot wave and wondered how they held that line without sliding out, chances are they were riding a round pin.
Round pin surfboards have been the secret weapon of power surfers for over 40 years—ever since Simon Anderson showed up at Bells Beach in 1981 with his revolutionary thruster design. The pointed tail does something simple but crucial: it keeps your board connected to the wave face when things get steep and fast.
Think of it like this: a wider, squarer tail is great for quick turns in small waves, but when waves get overhead and hollow, you need something that won't let go. That's where the round pin shines. The Lost Formula-1 takes this proven design and updates it with modern performance features.
The Comeback: How an Archive Board Became a World Title Winner
Every great surfboard has a story. The Formula-1's story starts in 2024 at Lowers, but its roots go back 15 years.
The Original F1 (2010-2011)
Back when Julian Wilson was climbing the ranks on the World Tour, he rode a board called the F1. It wasn't just any competition board—it became legendary among the Lost team, especially one specific board nicknamed "Clown" that Wilson rode at Lowers. That board had something special in powerful, critical waves.
The Archive Session
Fast forward to 2024. Matt Biolos pulled vintage team boards from the Lost archives for a filming project at Lowers. When the team rode Julian's old F1 boards, something clicked. The design still worked—maybe even better than anyone remembered.
Biolos had an idea: "Look back in order to see forward."
The Mashup
He found the original computer file from Julian's magic "Clown" board and laid it over a current Driver 3.0 design. The goal? Blend the best of both eras—the proven performance of the original F1 with modern refinements from today's high-performance boards.
Yago's Championship Moment: A Brand New Board in the Final
Here's where the story gets wild.
Cole Houshmand tested early F-1 prototypes in competition, scoring strong results in El Salvador and Lowers before winning the Brazil WCT event. The board was proving itself, but it wasn't officially released yet.
Then came Lowers 2025. Just two nights before Finals Day, Matt Biolos slipped a prototype F-1 to Yago Dora. Yago took it for a test session that night.
The gutsy call: Yago liked the board so much that he switched to it for the Semi-Finals and Final—riding a board he had only tested the night before in the most important heats of the event.
He won Lowers. Then he went on to win the 2025 World Title.
The exact board? 6'0" × 19" × 2.50" at 29.75 liters. That's now available as the championship spec at Hawaiian South Shore.
What Makes the F-1 Different From Other Boards?
If you're familiar with the Lost Driver 3.0, you might be wondering: how is the F-1 different?
The Key Differences
It's "set back" for more drive. The widest point of the board sits slightly further back than the Driver 3.0, which means more power through your turns. When you lean into a bottom turn, you feel the board accelerate instead of just pivot.
Narrower nose, more curve. The nose is pulled in at the 12" and 24" measurements, with more curve through the outline. This isn't a board for small wave nose riding—it's designed to knife into steep faces and hold a line.
Deeper bottom channels. The single-to-double concave runs deeper than most boards, creating lift and speed without you having to pump. The board generates its own momentum in powerful waves.
More defined pin tail. While the Driver 3.0 has a "round" tail, the F-1 has a true "pin" in the last few inches. This gives you extra bite when you're carving in the critical section—the board won't slide out when you need it most.
Adjusted rocker. More rocker in the nose helps with late drops on steep waves (crucial for Hawaii). Less rocker in the tail keeps your speed up through flat sections.
How It Feels
Riders describe the F-1 as having instant speed and lively lift. Turns initiate from your front foot with a fast, driving feel, then finish sharp and precise under your back foot. It's not a loose, skatey board—it's a committed, powerful carving machine.
When Should You Ride the Formula-1?
Let's be clear: this is not an everyday board for most surfers. It's a specialist.
Perfect Conditions for the F-1
- Head-high and bigger waves with power and push
- Reef breaks that are powerful.
- Point breaks with long, powerful walls
- Beach breaks when they're pumping and hollow
- Any wave where you need control in steep, critical sections
When to Leave It in the Rack
- Waist-high summer days with soft waves
- Mushy, slow conditions without push
- When you're still learning to duck dive or surf overhead waves
Hawaii surfers: This board shines at spots like Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Rocky Point, and anywhere on the North Shore when it's overhead. The added nose rocker handles late drops, and the pin tail keeps you locked in through hollow sections.
How to Choose Your Perfect Size
The F-1 comes in two sizing categories: Stock (standard volume) and "Bro" (higher volume for bigger surfers or those who want more paddle power).
Stock Dimensions (Standard Volume)
Based on Yago's championship board, scaled for different surfer sizes.
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume (L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'4" | 18.00" | 2.20" | 22.25 |
| 5'6" | 18.25" | 2.25" | 23.75 |
| 5'8" | 18.50" | 2.35" | 25.75 |
| 5'10" | 18.75" | 2.42" | 27.75 |
| 6'0" | 19.00" | 2.50" | 29.75 |
| 6'2" | 19.38" | 2.60" | 32.50 |
| 6'4" | 19.63" | 2.70" | 35.00 |
| 6'6" | 19.88" | 2.80" | 37.75 |
"Bro" Dimensions (Higher Volume)
Based on Cole Houshmand's specs. Best for surfers over 190 lbs or those who prefer more float and paddle power.
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume (L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'8" | 18.75" | 2.42" | 27.25 |
| 5'10" | 19.13" | 2.50" | 29.45 |
| 6'0" | 19.38" | 2.57" | 31.50 |
| 6'2" | 19.75" | 2.64" | 34.00 |
| 6'4" | 20.00" | 2.75" | 36.75 |
| 6'6" | 20.50" | 2.80" | 39.50 |
| 6'8" | 20.75" | 2.87" | 42.00 |
Sizing Tips
Most intermediate to advanced surfers ride the F-1 about 2-4 inches shorter than their height. If you're between 150-180 lbs, Stock dimensions work well. Over 190 lbs or prefer more paddle power? Go "Bro" dimensions.
The best way to dial in your size? Stop by our Honolulu shop at 320 Ward Avenue #112 or call (808) 597-9055. We'll match you to the right size based on your weight, ability, and home break.
Your Questions About the Lost Formula-1 Answered
What size waves is the Lost Formula-1 best for?
The Formula-1 is designed for head-high waves and bigger—waves with power and push. It really comes alive when conditions have size and push. This isn't a small wave board. If waves are waist-high and soft, you'll want something with more volume and a wider tail.
Can intermediate surfers ride the F-1?
If you're comfortable duck-diving, surfing overhead waves confidently, and have solid bottom turns, yes. This board rewards commitment and aggressive surfing. If you're still working on your fundamentals in smaller waves, you might want to build up to this. We can recommend other Lost boards that match your current level—just ask when you visit the shop.
How does the F-1 compare to the Lost Driver 3.0?
The F-1 is more "set back" with the wide point further back, giving it more drive through turns. It has a narrower nose, more outline curve, deeper bottom concave, and a more defined pin tail. The Driver 3.0 is more versatile across conditions, while the F-1 is a specialist for powerful, overhead waves. Think of the Driver as your everyday board and the F-1 as your step-up for when it gets serious.
What fins work best with the Formula-1?
The F-1 works with FCS II or Futures fin systems (specify when ordering). For this design, we recommend medium-to-large thruster sets that provide drive and hold. Popular choices include FCS II Performer or Reactor fins, or Futures Alpha or Vector sets. Stop by our shop and we'll match fins to your weight and surfing style.
Can I order the F-1 in custom dimensions?
Yes! We can order custom dimensions through Lost. Custom orders typically take 4-6 weeks depending on Lost's production schedule. Contact us at sales@hawaiiansouthshore.com or call (808) 597-9055 to discuss your specific needs. We'll work with you to dial in the perfect dimensions for your weight, ability, and home break.
Is the Formula-1 good for Hawaiian waves?
Absolutely—it's perfect for Hawaii. The added nose rocker handles late drops on steep waves (crucial for spots like Pipe, Sunset, and Rocky Point), while the pin tail provides control through hollow sections. It's a proven performer on the North Shore and at powerful reef and point breaks throughout Hawaii. Yago's world title run proves it works in powerful, critical Hawaiian-style waves.
What's the difference between Stock and Bro dimensions?
Stock dimensions are based on Yago Dora's championship board (6'0" × 19" × 2.50" at 29.75L) and work best for surfers 150-180 lbs. "Bro" dimensions are based on Cole Houshmand's specs with extra volume—ideal for surfers over 190 lbs or anyone who wants more paddle power and float. Both maintain the same performance characteristics, just scaled for different body types.
Where can I buy the Lost Formula-1 in Hawaii?
Hawaiian South Shore in Honolulu stocks the Lost Formula-1 in multiple sizes. Visit us at 320 Ward Avenue #112, Honolulu, HI 96814, call (808) 597-9055, or shop online at hawaiiansouthshore.com. We offer same-day shipping throughout Hawaii and 2-4 day shipping to the mainland. Our team can help you choose the right size and answer any questions about the board.
Why We Carry the Formula-1
At Hawaiian South Shore, we don't stock boards just because they're popular. We stock them because they work in the waves we surf every day. The Formula-1 earned its place in our lineup the same way Yago earned his world title—through performance when it matters most.
Whether you're charging Sunset on a big day or threading barrels at Pipe, having the right equipment makes all the difference. The F-1 is that equipment for powerful, overhead waves. It's not for everyone, and that's exactly the point. It's for surfers who know what they need and refuse to compromise.
Come by the shop, talk story with our team, and let's find the right board for the waves you actually surf. That's what we're here for.
📍 320 Ward Avenue #112, Honolulu, HI 96814
📞 (808) 597-9055
✉️ sales@hawaiiansouthshore.com