Review: Lib Tech High Performance Puddle Jumper 5’4″

Summary: The Lib Tech Puddle Jumper HP is a snappy, high performance river shortboard. Continue reading for the full review…

The original Lib Tech Puddle Jumper has been a staple when it comes to river surfboards. The next evolution of this board comes in the form of the Puddle Jumper High Performance, or HP for short.

The Puddle Jumper HP works best on shortboard specific waves like those found in Denver, Boise and Bend. It is short enough to fit in most of these waves (although sometimes just barely). The shortest version of the Puddle Jumper HP is 5’4″, which feels a bit on the long side. For most shortboard specific waves I’ve found that 5’3″ or shorter is usually a good size. Despite the longer length, this board is super snappy and will throw buckets all day long.

On larger river waves like Glenwood or waves in Wyoming and Montana the Puddle Jumper HP can work well. When catching waves from upstream, I found that I needed a retentive wave with either a steep face or a foam pile otherwise I’d miss it. If you’re a super strong paddler, you might have better luck.

This board feels best suited for the advanced to expert river surfer. If you’re looking for a board in the intermediate range, the original Puddle Jumper is a better option. Or if you’re looking for more of a beginner board, checkout the Catch Surf Stump.

Like all Lib Tech surfboards, the construction is an excellent blend of lightweight/performance and durability. While not indestructible, it will handle most accidental bumps that are common place in the river. If you get a ding, the board won’t absorb water so you can continue to surf without fear of water logging it. In a season, I put one small ding in the rail when the board slipped out of my hands and fell ~4 feet onto rocks directly on the rail.

Compared to the original Puddle Jumper, the HP version feels snappier and quicker to turn on good waves. The original Puddle Jumper is capable of surfing smaller and slower waves than the HP. When it comes to spins, I surprisingly found the original Puddle Jumper a little easier than the HP version. For sizing, the HP is only offered in sizes down to 5’4″, while the original goes all the way down to 5’1″. For skill levels, the original Puddle Jumper appeals to a wider range. In the end both boards are similar, it’s a bit of a wash between them. I don’t think it makes much sense to have both boards in your quiver, but if you have a worn out Puddle Jumper that you love then the HP might be a nice little upgrade.

The Lib Tech Puddle Jumper HP is a good shortboard for the river. I enjoyed surfing it all last season. I’d recommend it to experienced river surfers who spend time surfing steep shortboard waves.