Since Firewire’s launch they have been working hard to improve all their models to make them suit all different kinds of waves. They have even made certain models like the dominator to suit many different conditions and surfing abilities. They have created several different kinds of technology. I have written this blog to help you understand the difference between the models and technology’s.
First of all is the construction:
RAPIDFIRE:
Rapidfire is a hybrid technology, combining the carbon rod suspension of the direct drive models with a bamboo top deck skin.
Rapidfire’s core is shaped from 2lb fused EPS foam and the bamboo skin is applied using Firewire’s proven sandwich construction. Unlike FST and Direct Drive, the 2lb foam and bamboo deck sandwich do not require a vent.
The interior carbon rods work with the bamboo skin to optimize flex patterns, maximizing speed and drive through turns, and while not as dent resistant as the Direct Drive or FST aerospace composite skin, the bamboo does create significant compression strength.
Rapidfire’s flex characteristic is similar to FST and the overall effect is a highly tuned surfboard with increased performance over traditional surfboard constructions. Rapidfire is a similar price to premium PU surfboards.
FUTURE DESIGN TECHNOLOGY:
FST relies primarily on the PARABOLIC Balsa Rail to control flex while the high density aerospace composite vacuumed to both top and bottom decks provides significant impact strength, and is stronger than the traditional PU surfboard.
The Parabolic Balsa Rail features 12mm balsa built from 3 x 4mm strips, which as mentioned not only control flex and add strength, but also act as a buffer against rail dings. Furthermore, the long-term flex memory supplied by the balsa rails ensures boards maintain their lively feel for longer.
FST models are more expensive then your premium PU board and the rapidfire with the idea that you very high performance board that is more durable then your standard PU / Epoxy board.
Next i will talk you through a few of the latest models made with these technology’s. I’ll start with the most versatile board in the Range.
The DOMINATOR:
The Dominator is a very versatile board. It combines a full outline with a thick foil from nose to tail and a 5/4/3 fin configuration (use as a 4 fin quad or 3 fin thruster). The wide point has been moved back to reduce the nose profile, maintaining all of the speed but with none of the top turn drawbacks of retro nose outlines.
It’s super light weight and could be surfed in all conditions with a slight fin movement. I surfed a 6 ft one of these in messy 2 ft surf and i could not believe the amount of waves i caught! It was super floaty when i was paddling out and for waves. As i popped up it felt more like a shortboard then a fish. I would say to go a bit smaller than your normal shortboard as there is a lot of float in these boards as the rail maintains its thickness all around the tail, so you can probably go up to 4 inch smaller than your regular shortboard depending on your ability. I would highly recommend this board. If you were to get rid of all your boards and use one for all this would be it!
The Dominator
The HELLFIRE:
The Firewire Hellfire is a ‘contemporary Hybrid’, taking the best characteristics of the Dominator and Spitfire, maintaining bottom curve, thickness distribution and rail volume, but adding 2” in length with a narrower nose and tail. And deeper double concaves for extra lift and drive at speed. The result is a more standard short board look and feel. The Hellfire has more of the on-rail; in the pocket drivey feel that you trust in your “normal” short board. Suggested lengths are 2” to 4” shorter than your regular short board, or 2” to 4” longer than your hybrid.
The hellfire also features a step down rail around the tail which gives it an even more shortboard feel making you feel you are surfing something that is only 2 ¼ thick as a appose to the fact you are actually surfing a board that is 2 ½ thick. I am yet to surf one of these but if it is a more performance version of the dominator then i am super keen. They look great and i am definitely keen to get one as it is exactly the kind of board i am after with characteristics of a performance fish with more float and still the feel of surfing a shortboard. Can’t wait to try one out.
The Hellfire
The SWEET POTATOE
The Firewire Sweet Potato is the surfboard that is half the size of a longboard but catches as many waves, even when its small mush. Everyone that has surfed these boards has loved it in all conditions. The Sweet Potato is such an easy board to surf. It puts the fun back into surfing, from tiny ripples to head high surf!
I have not met anyone who has surfed one of these and not loved it. They look quite odd as they are so round. They look a bit like giant skim boards but they definitely don’t surf like them. I surfed a 5ft 2 model and couldn’t believe how much speed you can create out of nothing but yet still had a lot of hold through your turns. A great board to have in your quiver and definitely the most fun board you will ever have in there!
The sweet potato
Hope this helps you understand and decide on your next board!
