What's a mock lineup, and why are we doing it? These are my ramblings on each brand and what I think will happen for the upcoming season before we get range releases, along with inklings that I hear around the traps. What benefit are these? Not a lot, it's fun speculation to keep the waterski industry interesting and to see how accurate and tuned I am with the industry, which means I can also be wrong. Still, you will also find little notes about what I think should happen after over 15 years in the industry.
How is this going to work?
We will go through each major category for major brands and guesstimate what we think will change, from shapes to graphics to nothing at all!
If you don't want to read all my ramblings, we have a TL/DR section at the bottom!
Hyperlite Overview
Hyperlite has been in flux for the last 12 months, with a mandate from new owners to tighten the range and develop a product line more in tune with modern times. This isn't something that happens overnight, and to allow these changes to flow throughout all the various styles of products will take years, but that doesn't mean the change hasn't started. The wakeboard line overhaul started last year with the line becoming tighter and more linear in levels, and while there is still a lot of niche stuff there, the core crux of the line makes complete sense and can complement most riding styles. The foil range also took a big step in the right direction, with a complete overhaul to move it closer to the pack leaders in tech advancements for boat tow foiling, with both an updated high aspect and a hybrid mid-high aspect option as the entry-intermediate setup.
The next development that will start to flow through is boots. With the introduction of the Zero2 mid-season, the boot line is ready for a new age to bring it back to relevancy, built around the foundations of superior comfort, support, and in line with the board range, a varying selection of options to suit a variety of riders. With both the Closed Toe and Open Toe range in dire need of a freshen up, this could be a two-year project, with year two coinciding with a potential update and cleaning up of the surfer range, which over the years has started to become a bit stagnant and reliant on past hits.
So without further ado, let's dive in.
Hyperlite Wakeboards
After getting left on the cutting room floor, a new shape will fill the role of bot the Riot and Riot Loaded for 2026 with Noah Flegel no longer a part of the Hyperlite team, new blood gets a new board, it remains to be seen what rockerline this could be as the abrupt continuous has been linchpin of the range for years. Next is the Capitol range, which will have one last trip around the sun in its current shape, while the Blueprint is overdue for an update and could find itself in the crosshairs. It remains to be seen whether it is tied in with longtime collaborator Trever Maur. This should still be the case, as Trever has helped develop some amazing shapes that are incredibly fun to ride, from the Vagabond to the Blueprint model.
The Rusty and the Kruzr are two sides to a Rusty Malinoski-sized coin, with the Kruzr being an oversized specific board, taking elements from the original Kruz shape and giving a niche board that I think will get one more year to prove itself. However, it may get absorbed somewhere else after that. While the Rusty is due for an update, I don't think Hyperlite is going to be going about too many changes in a single year, and the Rusty is a board that both rides well and has a strong following, which should keep it in good standing.
Designed in conjunction with Hyperlite, the Murray collaboration has lasted over 30 years and typically gets a refresh every five or so years, putting the Murray/Prizm past due for a new shape, and this might be the year for the update. In the past year, Murray has severed his ties with Nautique to explore other avenues and give himself more creative freedom, and that could be the platform to allow him to work with the team on a new shape. From here, that leaves the Sender/Journey and State 2.0/Eden 2.0. Simply, I don't expect shape changes here, and I don't even expect a graphic change for the State and Eden, as they always do relatively well with an inoffensive design and a super comfortable and forgiving shape.
Cable rounds out the range, with new graphics from the Bloodline after its inaugural year, followed by the Guara, ATV, and Pleasure. Potential for change comes in the Freepress, which could shift down the range (more on that in a second), while a new top-end board comes in to replace it. This fits in with Hyperlite's updating patterns in their cable range, with a new shape almost yearly. The straight carryover could be the Frenzy, as it was renamed from the Codyak for 2025, and makes me think Hyperlite doesn't want to do away with the shape just yet. Now, for what could go. The Wizardstick could become collateral damage by the bean counters, as it is such a niche board that it may not fit the quotas and have to be cut to make sense financially. The last board at the pointy end, the Union, has been a staple of the cable range forever and could also be on its way out. This is where the Freepress fits in, as it could shift down the range and fall into the spot that the Union held.
Hyperlite Boots
There is light at the end of the tunnel after the steaming hot mess that the Hyperlite boot range has been for the past 6 years. With the Aus mid-summer release of the Zero2, we got a glimpse at what the new Hyperlite boot designer has been cooking up in the lab, and boy, is it a big step from whence they came. So we can throw all of the old boots out the window and start fresh with what I expect will be a brand new 3 model top boot lineup in a carryover of the Zero2 and then stiffer and softer boots to complement them, off the same style last and footbed mold. This means a high-end line based on a superior fit and comfort than Hyperlite has had previously. From here, things become the same because, as they say, Rome wasn't built in a day, and giving a boot line a complete overhaul won't happen in a season. So what this means is a new top-end line for this summer coming and likely a reskin from there down, the Team X and OT, Formula, and Remix will all get a new coat of paint but stay as they are, with a change of those most likely coming for summer 26/27.
With the boring stuff out of the way, let's take a moment to talk about the Zero2 and the updated top-end line. Is it more expensive than previous boots? Yes, most likely they will all come in at the same price of $899, which is on the pricier end, but brings it mostly in line with Liquid Force and under the price bracket of Ronix, for a considerably superior fitting boot than Hyperlite has ever done.
The basis of this design comes from the mind of the original Ronix boot designer, who left a few years back and has stepped back into the wakeboard world with full control of the design and construction decisions of the boot line. This ultimately means unhindered vision, and while there will undoubtedly be teething issues along the way, the boot line will be all the better for it in the long run. It is noticeable in some of the profile aspects, but the big thing here is the difference between the original Ronix design and the Hyperlite. The profile mimicks a Ronix boot, and the fit and feel comes damn close, but there is no metal lockbeams, no multi point lacing harness, the boot almost blends elements of every brand and creates a hybrid that is most likely the launching point to bigger and better things starting this coming summer.
Hyperlite Wakesurfers
This will be an interesting one to work through, as here in Australia, we don't get most of the high-end range, but we can still guess what will happen regardless. Let's start with the high-end models. The Varial range is something that is not offered in Australia. Still, it tackles the likes of the high-end Ronix (think flyweight: DNA) and the top-end Liquid Force (Quattro Quads), to perfect effect, and in classic Hyperlite fashion, an expansive range. The Arc has been the longest standing in the range, and is probably coming up to being due for an update, which I'll put at 50/50 of a change, while the likes of the Lobo and the Condor that fill out the range are safe as relatively newer boards. This safety net will also flow to the Darkstar, which is new as of last year, as a new age mold-breaking surf-style.
To the skimmers, Hyperlite carries a relatively solid range, even if they tend to encroach on each other in specific ways, which is why a few things could potentially happen here. With both the Storm and the Transistor chewing up top-end real estate, the Transistor could take the fall, and by that, I mean down the range. I expect the Hi-Fi to get the chop, while the Transistor moves into a traditional construction and fills the void in the cheaper bracket if the range, leaving the Storm at the top of the pecking order with the same shape and a newer graphic. That leaves the Smokewagon, the big fella surfer that lets anyone have a crack at the fast-paced end of the scale. This will probably stick around as it fills a niche in the industry that no one else really does.
Now, for the lower end, and while I would like to see some changes with some boards, I just don't think we'll get it. The Ranger will get another go around, though it would do it a favour to come down a bit in price, while the Time Machine is probably on the cusp of change with a 60/40 chance of that happening. It's evolved from the corp top to a standard durashell finish, but a breath of fresh air would do it well. Then the Shim/Good Daze and the Buzz are two boards in desperate need of an update, as they are nearing ten years old, but unfortunately, I don't see it happening. By this point, everyone has owned one of these two boards, and Hyperlite needs to start redefining the bottom end, maybe summer 26/27. Then there's the Broadcast and Speedster as your compression-molded surf and hybrid entry-level models. These won't change and, for all intents and purposes, don't really need to; they get people started in the surf world and are amazingly functional boards.
Hyperlite Foils
Hyperlite Foils is a clear-cut prediction, as they have only been in the game for three years and did a significant overhaul of the inaugural line after two years. Last year, we saw the Booster and Commander sets and the Ute Board make way for a more modernised Falcon and Raptor setups with the Starship board. These foils will carry over as they were new last year and stepped into the modern age with the more mid to high aspect in the Falcon and a true modernised high-aspect wing in the Raptor. These are paired with the newer, much smaller and more maneuverable Starship, which is aimed to pair up with the entire range.
This leaves one board and foil set in range for either a cut or a change. The Majik Karpet, in both boards and foils, will most likely be moved on this year as the others were previously, and could make way for potentially the next gen high-aspect to compete in the onelock/fuselock market, speeding them up to complete modernisation in albeit baby steps. It's hard to say if this is the way it would go, as the Raptor now fills their high-aspect gap, so on the flip side of this coin, it could disappear, leaving only two setups in the range while the next R&D step is developed over this coming summer.
Hyperlite Pricing
Like everything, a large majority of packages could slide down $50 to $100, but whether the Hyperlite or the economy allows it, only time will tell. This comes back to accessibility, as the motive in a package should realistically go in there at $750 if not cheaper, while a State/Eden 2.0 would preferably come down to $900-$950. I would also like to wind back the clock a few years and bring the price of a Broadcast down to $750, but that is likely truly wishful thinking, but hey, a man can dream!
Final Expected Changes - Otherwise known as TL/DR
Wakeboards
Riot Loaded Replacement - New Blood, New Board - Rockerline TBD whether it stays as an abrupt continuous or shifts to a 3-stage
Capitol Loaded - Due for a shape update, but with Cory Tuenissen riding lights out, maybe if it's not broke, don't fix it.
Blueprint Loaded - Due for an update, and probably a 70-75% chance of it happening with a new name
Riot Replacement - New Blood, New Board - Rockerline TBD whether it stays as an abrupt continuous or shifts to a 3-stage
Capitol - Due for a shape update, but with Cory Tuenissen riding lights out, maybe if it's not broke, don't fix it.
Blueprint - Due for an update, and probably a 70-75% chance of it happening with a new name
Rusty - Another one that is 50/50 for a new shape, but just hitting its straps with riders. Expect another year with a fresh graphic.
Murray/Prizm - Designed in conjunction with Hyperlite a few years back, the Murray collaboration has lasted over 30 years and normally gets a refresh every 5 or so years, which would put the Murray past due for a new shape.
Kruzr - New for 2025 and here to stay. New Graphic
Sender/Journey - New off the block for the 2025 Season, the JB O'Neill special will be sticking around for at least another two years, but with a new look for 26.
State 2.0/Eden 2.0 - Same great board, probably same great graphic
Motive - We can only dream that they find a newer, older shape to replace this late 90s Murray shape with
Bloodline - New for 2025, just a new graphic for 2026
Guara - Another year around, new graphic for 2026
Freepress - It could be a new board with a new name for 2026, which is due for an update.
Pleasure - Also due for an update, after 4 years in the range. I think it may have one more year
Union - Due for a change, but the Hyperlite team loves this shape. Hard to say. Could be replaced here by the freepress?
ATV - New graphics for 2026
Frenzy - The Codyak renamed, one year under this name makes me think it's staying for 2026, potentially a graphic carryover
Wizarstick - Depends on whether the niche market it holds keeps it around, carryover potential, maybe gone altogether
Boots
The top line is gone, so below is going to be the lineup as I expect it:
Zero2 - Mid to Stiff - Same, same. Complete carryover
New Stiff Boot - Coming in a Zero2 Styling
New Mid Flex Boot - Coming in a Zero2 Styling
Team X - Could get an update in line with the new range for 2026, but could get one more year as a carryover.
Team OT - Carryover for 2026
Formula - New Colour, Same Shape
Remix - New Colour, Same Shape
Syn - New Colour, Same Shape
Viva - New Colour, Same Shape
Jinx - New Colour, Same Shape
Wakesurfers
Arc - 50/50 to change, first of the Varial range is due to a change
Lobo - Same, but with Graphic Adjustments
Condor - Same, but with Graphic Adjustments
Darkstar - Same, but with Graphic Adjustments
Frother 2.0 - Complete carryover, colour and all.
Transistor - Could get chewed up as collateral for the Storm. There is a 60% chance of being cut, or at least it will be stripped back and replace the Hi-Fi.
Storm - Same great board, new graphic.
Smokewagon - The big fella skimmer, it fits a roll in the industry, albeit niche. No one else does it, so it'll get a new graphic and go around again.
Hi-Fi - Staple of the range, but depending on what happens with the Transistor, will either be a new graphic or gone altogether.
Time Machine - Due for a change, and hopefully, should get it. I put this at a 60/40 chance.
Ranger - Will get another go around, new graphic
Shim/Good Daze - This needs an update, but I feel it won't - complete carryover, colour and all.
Buzz - This needs an update, but I feel it won't - complete carryover, colour and all.
Speedster - Bottom end Hybrid. It's an entry-level; these don't really change at all, or at least for a long time.
Broadcast - Hyperlite's bottom end, if it's not broke, don't fix it. Should change after 15 years, but most likely a graphic update
Landlock - The industry-compliant longboard option, most likely staying exactly the same
Foils
Majik Karpet - 2 years in, up for a change
Starship - New as of 24/5 season, no changes at all
Shuttle - Time for an update
Raptor Series (Carbon & Standard) - New as of 24/5 season, no changes at all
MK Series (Carbon & Standard) - 2 years in, up for a change
Falcon Kit - New as of 24/5 season, no changes at all