Introducing Firewire Surfboards - new technology and boards that everyones talking about, another first for Surfed Out.com |
| 1. The Boards |
FIREWIRE Surfboards represents the Future of Shape in surfboard design. In a market that has been slow to accept change, Firewire have pushed the boundaries of surfboard design with FUTURE SHAPES TECHNOLOGY and will continue to foster innovation and bring ideas to surfboard design that increase performance, board durability and sustainable manufacturing.Firewire surfboards offer the original PARABOLIC balsa wood rails, EPS foam core and advanced composites, creating long lasting and rapid flex memory, catapulting the board in and out of turns. The award winning construction techniques represents the culmination of over 10 years of intensive R&D into alternative surfboard construction. Firewire Surfboards will make you surf better |
| 2. The Designers |
Firewires boards are designed by Nev Hyman and Dan Mann. Nev Hyman is a master craftsman with over 30 years of shaping experience. He is passionate about progressive surfboard design and has distilled surfboards down to their essential ingredients.Dan Mann, a former pro longboarder, cut his teeth as a ghost shaper for a number of name brands in California and was an early proponent of alternative materials in surfboard construction, making him a natural fit for Firewire. |
| 3. The Technology |
FIREWIRE Surfboards’ FUTURE SHAPES TECHNOLOGY features controlled flex memory with rapid rebound. The PARABOLIC balsa wood rails flex at the start of a turn storing energy and rebound through the turn, releasing built up energy in the form of speed. The spring back of the PARABOLIC rails to the original rocker triggers rapid acceleration, like an arrow shot from a bow. Combined with the composite materials used in our sandwich construction, PARABOLIC balsa rails reduce material fatigue and ensure that FIREWIRE Surfboards maintain their long lasting “twang-like” sensation. |
| 4. The Materials |
FIREWIRE Surfboards maintain the ‘lively’ feeling that polyurethane boards start out with but lose relatively quickly. Due to the unique formulation of hi-tech epoxy resins, advanced composites and the outer skin of hi-density foam, our surfboards are up to 20% lighter than traditional PU boards and the performance characteristics last 5-10 times longer. Furthermore, our PARABOLIC balsa rails combined with the composite materials used in sandwich construction reduces premature denting and material fatigue. |
| 4. The Environment |
Firewire Surfboards use epoxy resin and EPS foam, materials that are exponentially less harmful than traditional surfboard materials. Over a 5-year lifespan, including the construction process, a traditional PU surfboard releases 50 times more Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) than a Firewire surfboard. In recognition of this, Firewire Surfboards won the coveted EuroSIMA Environmental Product of the Year Award in 2005. Ultimately our goal is to develop 100% sustainable manufacturing, designing and building a product that can be recycled indefinitely by reusing old boards to make future Firewire Surfboards - instead of grinding the boards up for a different, lesser product. Granted, we are a long way from that lofty goal, but it is a standard they have set for themselves. |
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| 5. Springers |
Layered into the dual density core of the STEP UP guns, SPRINGERS are like a suspension system, providing the optimal amount of flex and drive needed to control the higher speed and heavier torque in larger waves. Like the leaf springs and shock absorbers of a speeding car, SPRINGERS work in tandem with the PARABOLIC Balsa Rails to maintain smooth control through hi-speed turns. |
| 6. Why FCS Fins? |
The FCS fin system compliments and actually boosts the FLEX properties built into Firewire surfboards. The unique reinforced insertion method allows maximum strength without anchoring each insert plug to the surfboard top deck, increasing the tail flex and enhancing performance. |
The FLEXFIRE Series is designed around the performance specifications of Firewires top surfers. The dimensions, foils and rail configurations are all geared towards maximum speed and the tightest turning radius possible. The rapid response flex memory inherent in FUTURE SHAPES TECHNOLOGY ensures that the FLEXFIRE series explodes through turns while the parabolic rail configuration guarantees 100% return memory for years. * Featuring SPRINGER Technology |
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The ALTERNATOR Series combines the perfect blend of a short rail line, generous curve and a slightly thicker foil, producing a surfboard that paddles well but still turns on a dime. The ALTERNATOR is the workhorse in our collection and naturally incorporates all aspects of FUTURE SHAPES TECHNOLOGY. |
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The FUTURA Series merges the innate performance of new school fish design with the acceleration of FUTURE SHAPES TECHNOLOGY, creating a surfboard with ‘pedal to the metal’ top end speed and remarkably tight turning radius. Buckle your seatbelt. |
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The QUADRAFLEX Series combines the control of an Alternator thruster with the top end speed of a twin fin. We’ve pushed the wide point back slightly to create a fuller tail, while still maintaining an even curve throughout. Combined with FUTURE SHAPES TECHNOLOGY, the result is an extremely fast, loose surfboard, capable of handling a variety of conditions. |
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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY BOARD TO GET THE MOST OUT OF IT? Do not leave your board where temperatures reach 160 degrees. Never leave your board in a sealed car. Keep board out of direct sunlight. If you sustain a ding, get out of the water immediately and dry out your board completely before repairing to prevent further damage to the integrity of the core construction. WHY IS THERE A PLUG IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOP DECK? As the temperature changes, the core naturally breathes in and out through the vent to alleviate pressure build up, preventing expansions and contractions that could potentially stress the surrounding materials. The vent’s GORE-Tex membrane allows air movement but blocks water. Therefore, the vent should never be adjusted, and keeping it free of wax and any other debris will ensure the long life span of Firewire’s performance characteristics. WHAT DO I DO IF MY BOARD GETS DINGED? In the event your board is damaged, get out of the water right away to reduce water absorption and further damage to the integrity of the core construction. This will also reduce the amount of time it takes for your board to dry out. You may repair your board with standard store-bought epoxy resin. As with any surfboard, be sure to completely dry out the damaged area before sealing with the epoxy resin. For detailed information on EPS/Epoxy repair, please call the shop 01271 812512 ARE FIREWIRE’S TOO LIGHT FOR WINDY CONDITIONS? There is no question boards can be too heavy as well as too light. There is an optimum weight that does not compromise performance and strength. Though extensive R&D we have determined that the current weight of a FIREWIRE takes advantage of all the obvious benefits of a lighter surfboard, while ensuring consistent drive across all conditions. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH FIREWIRE DIMENSIONS ARE RIGHT FOR ME? We recommend riding the same dimensions as your current PU surfboard. The buoyancy differential is negligible and does not require an adjustment in length, thickness or width. CAN I ORDER A CUSTOM BOARD? Not only do FIREWIRE Surfboards incorporate FUTURE SHAPES TECHNOLOGY, they can also be custom ordered to your exact dimensions starting Summer 2008. Due to the one-off nature of custom boards, there will be a surcharge and a longer lead-time. |