Alex Crews ACSOD "Blue Lotus" + Futures Fins Review - The Surfboard Guide

Welcome to our full review of the ACSOD Blue Lotus to follow up our original review of the Lotus by Alex Crews!
The Blue Lotus I've been riding is a custom 5'11 x 19 1/2 x 2 9/16 - 33L
From acsodsurfboards.com/products/...
Modelling as a semi-step-up/all-rounder in the new "Lotus Series".
The Blue Lotus came about via repeat customers wanting to transfer the magic, retro fun of the original Lotus into a longer, stretched-out version that could handle bigger surf over the 4ft+ range.
Keeping the original Lotus's characteristics as a base, I increased the length and added a rounded pintail for hold. The added length creates a narrower outline curve, giving you more drive and control. The entry and exit rocker have been lifted to fit into a steeper, suckier wave face, the chimed rails are slightly lowered for engagement in bigger surf, and I kept the exact bottom contours as the original Lotus to maintain the same lively speed.
After much testing, we have made an effortless board to surf with heaps of paddle power and maintains the same lively performance as the original Lotus in smaller surf but with a smoother, more controlled feeling underfoot when the surfer is overhead.
In the Blue Lotus I rode a variety of fins, but for an all round thruster set I really enjoyed the John John Florence Techflex by Futures Fins.
From futuresfins.com.au/products/j...
The John John Florence Techflex fin is a large sized thruster in the Neutral template category.
This template is a scaled-up version of the Medium template that John John Florence rode exclusively to back-to-back World Championships. John rides this template in his small wave boards that feature a wider tail and require more lift from his fins.
The Techflex construction and flat foil give this fin a stable feel, making it ideal for controlling speed in more powerful waves.
Template Category | Neutral (balanced/fluid)
Construction | Techflex
Ride Number | Speed Control - 3.4
Size | Large (75kgs+)
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[@jakesboardreviews]

You’re not wrong Craig, you are years ahead of stab mate, I back you brother 👍

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Ha! Thanks Mate! I must admit "How Surfers get Paid" is amazing and worth the subscription price...

[@craigduplooy6249]

Nice review 👌

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Thanks!

[@joshkent684]

Hey Craig, I’m looking for a semi step up for surfing steep hollow beachies pushing to double overhead range with an emphasis on paddle power as I’m 44 now and find myself hung up and pitched too often. I was thinking the blue lotus could be suitable with the generous volume but after watching your review you’ve kinda put me off. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Cheers mate and keep up the good work!

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

Hey! I reckon the Blue Lotus is actually the board you’re after, but I’d maybe reach out to Alex to chat through what you’re looking for.
Mine was short/ahortboard length/volume, but looking back I wish I’d got it 3-4 inches longer with more volume as more of a step-up

[@DustyStringer]

"Chined" rail, not chimed. Thanks for the review, looked good on your backhand.

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

There's a lot of shapers calling them a chimed rail too...

[@ThePokersurfer]

Looks old school ala FRK 2.0 revamp Slater potato chip era

[@TheSurfboardGuide]

With an epic 80's twist!