Firewire launches several new blades

Industry Updates

Current range of boards most diverse ever seen in Firewire catalog

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 October, 2012 : - - Firewire Surfboards has been deep into research and development as of late and consequently the cutting edge crew have announced several new models: The Vanguard design from Tomo Surfboards; The Artillery Series step up guns; The Sebastian Williams grom boards by Gary Linden; The refined Baked Potato (to complement the Sweet Potato and Potatonator designs) and finally, their newest high performance hybrid, Jack Knife.

The Vanguard: Modern Planing Hull (MPH)
The Modern Planing Hull represents a radical change in the approach to high performance surfboard design and the Vanguard model is the result of precise mathematical formulas and geometry. The hydrodynamic architecture of the Vanguard opens the door to a fresh approach to surfboard design and the art of riding waves. Inspired by the incredible feats of athleticism exhibited by today’s top professional surfers, Tomo (Daniel Thompson) has created a design that further helps 21st century surfers expand their abilities. Higher degrees of speed, electric wave attack and radical aerial potential are all possible with this highly tuned machine.

Template: The outline of the Vanguard is the foundation and driving force of this highly innovative surfboard. Ultra parallel lines allow the design to be ridden smaller and narrower than previously considered functional. This is achieved by maintaining ideal rider volume with balanced foam distribution. The parallel outline reduces drag, thus increasing dynamic planing lift yielding more speed via less water resistance.

Nose Profile: The unique diamond nose profile significantly reduces swing weight while still providing a central control point. Further, the diamond nose is blunt and safe. The rider is encouraged to push the limits of personal performance and have fun. The nose area features a complex contour to reduce the rate of pearling by creating controlled aerodynamic lift.

As the rider gains speed he/she will notice the nose contour channeling wind resistance, which in turn, lifts the nose upward. This feature is also very beneficial to a surfer with a developed aerial repertoire. When engaged in on-wave maneuvers, the instant the nose engages the water, the nose contour helps ‘pop’ the nose out of a pearl. This adds a tremendous element of control when riding backward out of radical maneuver.

Tail Profile: The unique twin diamond tail profile provides excellent directional control and very low drag. The technical bottom contour, which utilizes a channel/concave combo, helps to maximize speed and control through sharp directional changes.

The Ride: The rider will experience exceptional freedom and planing speed right form the get go. The very short nature of the design allows the rider to completely dominate the board. The straightened rail line will allow for effortless and precise turns and direct transitions.

Although geared for high performances shredding, the Vanguard is surprisingly easy to ride for a wide range of surfing abilities. It has a very stable nature, naturally fast with and a very efficient wave catching ability.

Artillery Series
The Artillery Series represents a combination of everything we’ve learned building step ups and guns for our top team riders such as Tahitian charger Michel Bourez, North Shore big wave surfer Gavin Gillette, and of course Timmy Reyes, who will paddle out in anything.

The foils and bottom contours are refined and the outlines feature smooth curves from nose to tail.

By combining these high-performance shapes with Firewire’s World Tour proven Future Shapes Technology (FST), the performance levels are as good as the waves they are designed to be ridden in. If you want to charge challenging conditions, these are the boards you’ll need.

Sebastian Williams
With the rapid advancement of groms’ surfing ability today, the days of "growing into your board" are over. The Sebastian Williams’s Pro Models are designed for catching waves and competing NOW. They were designed by Gary Linden, who has worked with Sebastian for many years and incorporate a fuller nose outline and lower entry rocker, allowing for more rail in the water and thus greater speed and wave catching ability.

Gary has designed two SW Pro models. The first features a bump wing with "V" through the tail. This model suits the developing power surfer who is already starting to push their rail-to-rail surfing. The second SW Model has a more streamlined curve and a single concave bottom for flying down the line and busting air, while still allowing for tight turns in the pocket. A true ‘Pro Series’ board.

                                                  The Baked Potato, Jack Knife and Mini Driver

Baked Potato
Dan Mann has struck gold again, Yukon Gold. The BAKED POTATO offers the same small wave performance as the SWEET POTATO with a few subtle design adjustments. The nose is pulled in slightly and some of the rail volume has been removed to allow for even faster rail to rail transfers. The BAKED POTATO has the same aggressive double concaves and 'V-spline' running down the center of the board which allows the board to get up on the rail much faster than the overall design would indicate. Primarily designed for smaller, weaker conditions, the BAKED POTATO will surprise you by its performance characteristics, and how the quad fins set further back and closer to the rail than usual, allow the board to hold with- out sliding, even in larger surf. Get cooking on a BAKED POTATO.

Jack Knife
The JACKNIFE is our newest high performance Hybrid. It has a slightly fuller nose and a fairly wide wing swallow which results in an “effective rail” line that allows length through turns when you need it, and shorter, snappier turns when you release between arcs. Couple this with a contemporary foil and rocker for vertical in the pocket and rail sensitive ripping, and the un-weighting ease for longer airtime, and you’ll love the versatility. Ride the JACKNIFE 2” shorter than you standard FLEXFIRE/TAJ, or 2 to 4” longer than your DOMINATOR/SPITFIRE.

Mini Driver
The Mini Driver started with the original Driver. The initial adjustments incorporated a fast, low nose rocker with a forward placed outline, both of which added drive. After adding a rounded tail for control, but with additional width at 12" up from the tail, the Mini Driver emerged. The clean and elliptical outline moved freely on the face and inside the tube, which is true to Kolohe's challenge when we started on the design. We were soon surprised by how well it performed in smaller everyday surf. The Mini Driver has quickly been recognized as one of the most versatile designs we’ve ever done.

www.firewiresurfboards.com 
 
Source: Firewire
 
Author: Chris Cary
 
Tags: Sebastian Williams, Tomo, Firewire, Jack Knife, Baked Potato
 
Industry: Surfersvillage