Introducing Firewire Surfboards - new technology and boards that everyones talking about, another first for Secretspot!!!

Use this link and the one at the bottom of the page to check out and buy any of the boards we have in now, or read on for detailed info and specs on all the ranges of brand new Firewires we stock:

1. Future Shapes Technology (FST)

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. Please note our boards are definitely not indestructible and if slammed by a thick lip, or if you land incorrectly in the flats after doing an aerial, it is possible to break them!

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.

With a retail price point slightly above premium polyurethane surfboards, FST offers an extremely high performance, durable surfboard.

2. Direct Drive (DD)

DD replaces FST balsa rails with interior carbon rods, engineered inside Firewire's Proprietary Sandwich Blank Construction and suspended inside high density rail foam.

Developed in partnership with Surfboard Suspension Systems, the rods are calibrated in thickness and placement to create an internal carbon frame, which controls the rate of flex and flex memory. Connected through a series of high density nodes, the rods are also connected to the base of the FUTURE FINS boxes. The end result is a high tech, incredibly lively surfboard that is primed for performance. Please note our boards are definitely not indestructible and if slammed by a thick lip, or if you land incorrectly in the flats after doing an aerial, it is possible to break them.

DD has different flex characteristics to FST's PARABOLIC Balsa flex pattern. With a slightly stiffer and snappier response, the DD also incorporates the high density aerospace composite on both decks.

DD's retail price point is slightly higher than FST and reflects the more complex construction involving the carbon rods.

3. Future Shapes Technology - Springers

All Firewire Step Up guns and TAJ Pro Model boards include Springer technology. Like the leaf springs on a car's suspension, Springer's are layered underneath the high density deck skin, creating a slightly stiffer flex response, a subtle adjustment that Taj prefers. Springers are available in a number of FST boards.

4. Rapidfire (RF)

RF is a hybrid technology, combining the carbon rod suspension of DD with a bamboo top deck skin.

Developed in conjunction with Surfboard Suspension Systems, RF's core is shaped from 2lb fused EPS foam and the bamboo skin is applied using Firewire's proven sandwich construction. Unlike FST and DD, 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 DD or FST aerospace composite skin, the bamboo does create significant compression strength. Please note our boards are definitely not indestructible and if slammed by a thick lip, or if you land incorrectly in the flats after doing an aerial, it is possible to break them.

RF's flex characteristic is similar to FST and the overall effect is a highly tuned, durable surfboard with increased performance AND strength versus traditional surfboard constructions. RF retails in line with premium PU surfboards.

So whether you prefer the pinnacle technology of Direct Drive, the Parabolic Balsa Rail performance of Future Shapes Technology or the hybrid technology of RapidFIRE, Firewire continues to define the 'Future of Shape.'

5. Crossfire (CF)

Crossfire is a hybrid technology, combining the bamboo deck skin of Rapidfire Technology on both the top and bottom decks with the Balsa Parabolic rails of Future Shapes Technology to control flex. The result is a durable, lightweight surfboard with great flex characteristics.

6. Surfboard Design

Nev has a successful 35+ year history in the surf industry and is recognized as one of the best shapers in the world. Working closely with Taj over the past 4+ years, Nev has been instrumental in developing Future Shapes Technology and designing equipment perfectly suited to Taj's needs. Taj's results on the 2007 WCT were his best in years and speak volumes about Nev's understanding of surfboard design and the pure performance potential of Firewire Surfboards.

While Nev has considerable shaping expertise, due to the sophistication of our computerized design programs and shaping equipment, we prefer to call him a Designer. Drawing on his actual shaping expertise and combining it with the unlimited design capabilities of Firewire's CAD/CAM platform, Nev has the tools to take surfboard design into the next frontier, a place where materials have as important an influence on performance as proven design principles. In fact, we believe that just like the influence that Future Shapes Technology has already had on surfboard performance, the next quantum leaps forward will be centered around completely new materials and how those materials allow us to re-tweak longstanding beliefs surrounding shape. To that end, Direct Drive and more recently RapidFIRE reflect those beliefs.

7. The Materials and Construction

FIREWIRE boards are lighter and stronger than traditional PU surfboards and much of that weight saving and strength comes from our proprietary blank construction. Unlike regular polyurethane cores, which weigh 2.5 - 3lb per cubic foot, the FUTURE SHAPES TECHNOLOGY (FST) and DIRECT DRIVE (DD) cores are built from 1lb EPS foam. A 3mm layer of high density aerospace composite is added through a vacuum process to stabilize the core and increase strength. The end result is an incredibly light weight and durable blank unique to Firewire.

EPS Foam Core: Firewire is 100% committed to EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) for our shaped cores. Not only is this material infinitely more environmentally friendly than PU (polyurethane) foam, but the excess EPS material is recycled. In addition, the 1lb core is an essential part of Firewire’s high performance. The way in which materials travel through different mediums is a direct result of their density AND shape. For example, a baseball and tennis ball are roughly the same shape and size, but behave completely differently when thrown. Similarly, a 1lb foam core allows for rapid direction changes and overall responsiveness during rail–to–rail turns.

Corecell Skin: Corecell is an amazing material with an extremely high strength to weight ratio. One of its primary uses is in wind turbine blades, which gives you an idea of its durability. It is flexible and has very high impact strength with very little material fatigue over time. Unlike traditional PU foam boards, Firewire blanks are not only lighter weight and stronger, but the flex characteristics remain intact for a considerable amount of time, long after traditional blank materials have fatigued and lost their spring.

Epoxy Resins: Firewire boards are built with epoxy resins, which are not only far stronger than polyurethane based resins, but emit only 2% of the VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) versus regular PU resin. Unlike a PU based laminating facility, you can walk anywhere in the Firewire factory without a mask and without a headache. Furthermore clean up requires simple citrus cleaners.

Balsa Wood Rails: The specific construction and choice of balsa for the rails is vital to Firewire’s flex characteristics and performance. While the balsa looks like a thin veneer on a completed surfboard, in fact it is over half an inch thick, built from 3 x 4mm strips laminated together and running the length of the surfboard perimeter, creating an incredibly lightweight, durable structure and incidentally a great buffer for those inevitable rail bashes when surfing. The balsa ensures that the degree AND rate of flex is controlled to maximize performance.

Lamination: With the inherent strength of our custom blanks and the epoxy resin systems, all our shortboards are laminated with a single 4oz deck both top and bottom, except for the FE606P and FE608P Step Up Guns. All other models over 6’10” have a double 4oz top deck and a single 4oz bottom. Given the fact that some Longboarders actually prefer additional weight, we’ve added a layer of 6oz to select longboards and these are delivered to retail with a special sticker clearly showing the lamination schedule.

High Density Fin Inserts: All Firewire Surfboards have high density inserts surrounding the fin boxes for both FCS and Futures. This is a far stronger method of attachment than anchoring the boxes to the top deck as is the case with the regular FCS installation, or letting them float directly in the EPS. This also allows the tail to flex more than a system anchored to the top deck.

The Vent: The 1lb Firewire EPS core contains a lot of air. It is NOT a hollow core, but as you can imagine a blank that weighs 1lb has far more air inside than a blank weighing 3lbs. As an added precaution to allow the core to expand and contract during extreme changes in temperature or air pressure, the vent allows air to pass back and forth between the core and the exterior of the board, while preventing water from entering. The GORE–TEX membrane does not require any maintenance, other than kept free of wax in order to breathe. You can imagine the stresses and strains on any surfboard materials when you take a board on a hot day and jump into 50° water. While some may argue that the vent is not essential, we believe that it does prolong the life of the board.

8. Environmental

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. And we’re not resting there.

Ultimately our goal is to constantly improve the sustainable manufacture of our surfboards. The end point being the design and production of a surfboard that can be recycled indefinitely by reusing old boards to make future Firewire Surfboards. Granted, we are a long way from that lofty goal, but it is a standard we have set for ourselves.

5. 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.

Series: FLEXFIRE 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

FE 506Q FE 508Q FE 510Q FE 511Q FE 600Q FE 601Q FE 602R FE 603Q FE 604Q FE 606Q FE 606P FE 608P 5’6” 5’8” 5’10” 5’11” 6’0” 6’1” 6’2” 6’3” 6’4” 6’6” 6’6” STEP UP * 6’8” STEP UP * 17 3/8” 18 1/4” 18 1/4” 18 1/4” 18 1/2” 18 1/2” 18 5/8” 18 3/4” 19” 19 1/4” 18 3/4” 18 3/4” 1 7/8” 2 1/8” 2 1/8” 2 1/8” 2 3/16” 2 3/16” 2 1/4” 2 3/8” 2 3/8” 2 1/2” 2 1/2” 2 1/2” bump squash bump squash squash tail squash tail squash tail squash tail round tail squash tail squash tail squash tail pin tail pin tail PC3 with inside foil PC3 with inside foil PC3 with inside foil PC3 with inside foil PC3 with inside foil PC5 with inside foil PC5 with inside foil PC5 with inside foil PC5 with inside foil PC7 with inside foil PC7 with inside foil PC7 with inside foil

Series: ALTERNATOR 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.

AR 600B AR 600S AR 602B AR 602S AR 604B AR 606B AR 608B AR 610B AR 702B 6’0” 6’0” 6’2” 6’2” 6’4” 6’6” 6’8” 6’10” 7’2” 18 3/4” 18 3/4” 19” 19” 19 1/2” 19 3/4” 20 1/4” 20 7/8” 21 1/2” 2 1/4” 2 1/4” 2 3/8” 2 3/8” 2 1/2” 2 1/2” 2 1/2” 2 3/4” 2 15/16” bump squash swallow tail bump squash swallow tail bump squash bump squash bump squash bump squash bump squash PC3 with inside foil PC3 with inside foil PC5 with inside foil PC5 with inside foil PC5 with inside foil PC7 with inside foil PC7 with inside foil PC7 with inside foil PC7 with inside foil

Series: FUTURA 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.
FA 510S FA 600S FA 602S 5’10” 6’0” 6’2” 19 1/2” 19 3/4” 20” 2 1/4” 2 3/8” 2 1/2” swallow tail swallow tail swallow tail PC5 with inside foil PC5 with inside foil PC5 with inside foil

Series: QUADRAFLEX 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.
QF 510S QF 600S QF 602S QF 604S QF 606S 5’10” 6’0” 6’2” 6’4” 6’6” 19 1/8” 19 1/4” 19 1/2” 19 5/8” 20” 2 1/8” 2 1/4” 2 3/8” 2 1/2” 2 5/8” swallow tail swallow tail swallow tail swallow tail swallow tail Stretch QUAD Fin set Stretch QUAD Fin set Stretch QUAD Fin set Stretch QUAD Fin set Stretch QUAD Fin set

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 01723 500467.

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. Please contact Secretspot for more information...