The surf industry was in a 20 year performance design rut when in '94 and '95 Matt Biolos experimented with multiple variations of fish for himself, Chris Ward and Cory Lopez that became the building blocks for a performance hybrid revolution. The RNF (Round Nose Fish) '96 designs that teenaged Chris and Cory took to the North Shore and made their indelible mark on the surfing universe were featured in the seminal '97 surf film 5’5” X 19 ¼.
The key component of Matt's fish is that they are performance minded inspired by MR’s competitive minded twins of the '70s and '80s with relatively pulled in tails designed to rip, not just small surf but in all sizes and shape of waves. Most fish have been predominantly influenced by wide tailed '70s kneeboards that create speed but have always fallen far short of the peak performance of modern short boards. In the name of great surfing and surfboards Matt has applied the past 25 years of board building to create a better surfboard faithfully based on but not exacting to the 96 RNF versions.
“I’d never before had so many surfers and shapers ask me what are you riding? With diligent testing being done by Kolohe, Coco, Ian Crane, Crosby Cola and other “guests” including myself in the last few months of 2020, we are very confident that the RNF ’96 will perform at and above expectations, as an all-around, rip-able fun machine, for a wide level of surfers.” — Matt Biolos
Product Info
The surf industry was in a 20 year performance design rut when in '94 and '95 Matt Biolos experimented with multiple variations of fish for himself, Chris Ward and Cory Lopez that became the building blocks for a performance hybrid revolution. The RNF (Round Nose Fish) '96 designs that teenaged Chris and Cory took to the North Shore and made their indelible mark on the surfing universe were featured in the seminal '97 surf film 5’5” X 19 ¼.
The key component of Matt's fish is that they are performance minded inspired by MR’s competitive minded twins of the '70s and '80s with relatively pulled in tails designed to rip, not just small surf but in all sizes and shape of waves. Most fish have been predominantly influenced by wide tailed '70s kneeboards that create speed but have always fallen far short of the peak performance of modern short boards. In the name of great surfing and surfboards Matt has applied the past 25 years of board building to create a better surfboard faithfully based on but not exacting to the 96 RNF versions.
“I’d never before had so many surfers and shapers ask me what are you riding? With diligent testing being done by Kolohe, Coco, Ian Crane, Crosby Cola and other “guests” including myself in the last few months of 2020, we are very confident that the RNF ’96 will perform at and above expectations, as an all-around, rip-able fun machine, for a wide level of surfers.” — Matt Biolos
Product Details
- Type: Fish
- Dimensions: 5'9" x 20 ⅘" x 2 ⅗"
- Construction: ecoIMPACTO
- Volume: 35.0L
- Tail: Swallow
- Fin Configuration: Thruster
- Fin Plug: Lib Tech FOC II Fin boxes
*Fins Not Included
Product Construction
ecoIMPACTO
- High strength carbon stringer
- UHMW polymer stringer
- Magnesium fiber
- Hexylon thermo-fusion honeycomb power panel
- Nitrogen cell upcycled foam
- G-Glass
- Bio reinforced rails
- Bio Matrix plant based resin
Additional Info
Lib Tech loves all things surf (almost)
Lib Tech is dedicated to board riding and hands on high tech board building. They have spent a lifetime of surfing, shaping and working with alternative, high performance, environmentally friendly materials and constructions. Traditional surfboard construction has always felt too fragile and the build process is toxic and unhealthy for the planet and craftspeople. Lib Tech knew there had to be a way...
It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it
20 years ago, Mike Olson set off on a Lib Tech mission to build a better surfboard. In the process he completely rewrote the book on surfboard construction. Every component Lib Tech uses in their ecoIMPACTO surf construction is completely new to the surf industry. The Lib Tech Thermo Fusion Process incorporates plant based bio resin, environmentally friendly recyclable blanks, radically minimizes sanding steps and resin exposure while creating amazingly durable, environmentally friendly, high performance surf structures that will free your mind and lift your surfing to new heights.
The ecoIMPACTO innovation evolution continues
Their experimental journey into new realms of surfboard performance takes two more steps forward with the lighter and brighter re-invention of the Lib Tech original ecoIMPACTO construction and the introduction of their very exciting performance elevating Techno-POP carbon construction on Mason Ho’s Little Wing model... even lighter, stronger and more responsive!
The Evolution of ecoIMPACTO
Mike Olson and Lib Tech's hands-on craftsperson crew are constantly experimenting and working to improve their process and materials. The latest incarnation of our original ecoIMPACTO construction incorporates a new improved formula of our foam and refinements to their process that reduces weight and improves performance while retaining that “Dang Difficult to Ding” durability that relaxes your lifestyle, makes Lib Techs the best travel boards in the world and hold their value over time.
Dang Difficult To Ding
Technologically Tougher
- A lot tougher than your standard PU or epoxy
- Won’t absorb water if you do get a ding
- The ultimate travel board
- Less worry... more fun
Environmentally Nicer
Zero Hazardous Waste
- Bio Resin low VOC plant based
- Nitrogen blown blanks non ozone depleting and recyclable
- Radically reduced resin exposure
- Radically reduced sanding steps
- Elimination of industry standard paint brushes, tape and solvents
- Recycled foam offcuts
- Long lasting construction
Lib Tech's magical high performance rides... Surf better and worry less
Nitrogen Cell Eco Upcycled Foam
Strong, Light, Waterproof
- Environmentally friendly non ozone depleting Nitrogen blowing agent
- 25-40% Recycled content
- Won’t absorb water if you do get a ding (Closed cell)
- Elliptical engineered columnar cells provide toughness top to bottom and elasticity in side impact
- 100% of offcuts and shavings recycled into more foam
Bio-Matrix Plant Based Resin
Strong, Nice, and Craftsperson Friendly
- Plant based glycerin chemistry
- Low VOC (shop smells nice)
- Surfs smooth and responsive (High performance)
- Impact resistant and resilient (Lasts a long time)
Magnesium Fiber
Tough & Resilient
- High impact and break strength fiber
- Great rebound and memory
G-Glass Fiber
Lightweight Strengthener
- Made to Mike Olson specs, ideal to the Lib Tech process
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Craftsperson friendly
New Ultralight "Techno Treated" Thermo Fusion Honeycomb Power Panel
Light, Strong, Smooth
- Smooth riding vibration absorption layer
- Impact and ding resistant
Carbon Power Spine
Dynamic Energy & Long Lasting Flex
- Tension spread tow carbon fiber
- Rebound energy return
- Perfect flex tuning
Lib Tech Leash Plug
Better Basics!
- 6061 T6 Aircraft aluminum pins
- Lightweight fiber composite cup
Lib Tech FOC-II (FCS® Compatible)
The Lib Tech FOC-II fin boxes are compatible with FCS two tab and FCS-II but lighter and offer 5/16” of adjustability in the fin box when using the Lib Tech RRIPs upcycled fins! Available on all models except Pickup Stick 8’ and Terrapin.
Fits FOC-II®, FCS® Two Tab and Lib RRIPs® fins
- Optimized placement for FCS-II®
- RIPPs compatible with 5/16 performance adjustability
- Light and tough
Foam Dust and Off Cut Recycling
Lib Tech's amazing Nitrogen Cell foam contains 25-40% recycled material and they are able to recycle 100% of their offcuts and shavings back into foam. (Traditional surfboard scrap foam ends up in the landfill.) Unused blank tusks and shavings are run through the Lib Tech in-house thermo densification process and turned into high density bricks which are up-cycled back into foam!
Shipping Surfboards
Call us at 888-546-6176 or 503-738-7888 to learn more about our Surfboard shapes, our opinions on how they ride, or if you need any additional shipping information you can use our contact page.
US Shipping Rates for New & Used Surfboards
| Location | 5'9 and under | 5'10 to 6'10 | 6'11 to 8'0 | ~8'0 and up |
| Lower 48 States | $125 | $210 | $235 | Contact Us |
| Hawaii & Alaska | Contact Us | Contact Us | Contact Us | Contact Us |
Read more about our Shipping Policy.
Returns
Due to the high cost of stocking and shipping surfboards, we do not cover return shipping costs, and any returned surfboard shipped from Cleanline is subject to a $50 restocking fee. See our full return policy by clicking the button below.
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