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Introducing the Dominator Pro in Helium Technology by Dan Mann (@dan__mann), an evolution of the Dominator 2.0 designed for high-performance. This is the shortboard that fans of the Dominator have been asking Dan to build for years, designed to go toe to toe with your favorite performance shortboard. The all-new Dominator Pro shape is designed for surfers who have either progressed their skill set and want a more performance version of the Dominator 2.0, or just want a more refined version of the Dominator 2.0 for surf trips, or good days at home.<br /><br />Shop the Dominator Pro in USA:<br />Shop the Dominator Pro in ANZ:<br />Shop the Dominator Pro in EU:<br />Shop the Dominator Pro in UK (available at the end of July 2025):<br /><br />For Board Features, the Dominator Pro is an evolution of the Dominator 2.0, with a lot of similarities including the subtle hip in the tail and round-ish squash tail, but it's outline is more pulled in, volume more refined, and less forgiving than the 2.0 and offering more on the performance side (but not quite that of Dan's FRK). The rocker on the Dominator Pro is true to the style of rocker on the original Dominator, but with a moderate increase in curve from nose to tail.The bottom contour's concave configuration is a near match of the Dominator 2.0’s concave, with slightly more single concave under the front foot in the Dominator Pro, flowing into a double barrel concave through the fins that transitions to a vee out the tip of the tail. It's for really good surfers or good surfers who want to up their game or want a bit of forgiveness compared to a pure performance shape.​ The rocker on the Dominator Pro is true to the style of rocker on the original Dominator, but with a moderate increase in curve from nose to tail.<br /><br />For Wave Type, The Dominator Pro is a true performance all rounder suited to waves thigh high and above, all the way up into overhead and hollow surf, but does work well in a variety of conditions. It really comes alive in the chest-high and above range, and wants to sit tight in the pocket and be in punchy waves with some curve to them: small punchy beach breaks to head-high and overhead pockety waves.​.<br /><br />For Fin Setup, pair the Firewire Velox Fin Set for the best performance - many of our riders love it as a Thruster, Dan prefers the shape in the Quad configuration.<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/dan__mann<br />https://www.instagram.com/kevin_schulz<br />https://www.instagram.com/brodi_sale<br />https://www.instagram.com/robkellysurf<br />https://www.instagram.com/andrew_nemo

Introducing the Dominator Pro | Firewire Surfboards

16th July, 2025

Introducing the Dominator Pro in Helium Technology by Dan Mann (@dan__mann), an evolution of the Dominator 2.0 designed for high-performance. This is the shortboard that fans of the Dominator have been asking Dan to build for years, designed to go toe to toe with your favorite performance shortboard. The all-new ...

Introducing the Dominator Pro in Helium Technology by Dan Mann (@dan__mann), an evolution of the Dominator 2.0 designed for high-performance. This is the shortboard that fans of the Dominator have been asking Dan to build for years, designed to go toe to toe with your favorite performance shortboard. The all-new Dominator Pro shape is designed for surfers who have either progressed their skill set and want a more performance version of the Dominator 2.0, or just want a more refined version of the Dominator 2.0 for surf trips, or good days at home.<br /><br />Shop the Dominator Pro in USA:<br />Shop the Dominator Pro in ANZ:<br />Shop the Dominator Pro in EU:<br />Shop the Dominator Pro in UK (available at the end of July 2025):<br /><br />For Board Features, the Dominator Pro is an evolution of the Dominator 2.0, with a lot of similarities including the subtle hip in the tail and round-ish squash tail, but it's outline is more pulled in, volume more refined, and less forgiving than the 2.0 and offering more on the performance side (but not quite that of Dan's FRK). The rocker on the Dominator Pro is true to the style of rocker on the original Dominator, but with a moderate increase in curve from nose to tail.The bottom contour's concave configuration is a near match of the Dominator 2.0’s concave, with slightly more single concave under the front foot in the Dominator Pro, flowing into a double barrel concave through the fins that transitions to a vee out the tip of the tail. It's for really good surfers or good surfers who want to up their game or want a bit of forgiveness compared to a pure performance shape.​ The rocker on the Dominator Pro is true to the style of rocker on the original Dominator, but with a moderate increase in curve from nose to tail.<br /><br />For Wave Type, The Dominator Pro is a true performance all rounder suited to waves thigh high and above, all the way up into overhead and hollow surf, but does work well in a variety of conditions. It really comes alive in the chest-high and above range, and wants to sit tight in the pocket and be in punchy waves with some curve to them: small punchy beach breaks to head-high and overhead pockety waves.​.<br /><br />For Fin Setup, pair the Firewire Velox Fin Set for the best performance - many of our riders love it as a Thruster, Dan prefers the Quad configuration.<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/dan__mann

Introducing the Dominator Pro | Firewire Surfboards

15th July, 2025

Introducing the Dominator Pro in Helium Technology by Dan Mann (@dan__mann), an evolution of the Dominator 2.0 designed for high-performance. This is the shortboard that fans of the Dominator have been asking Dan to build for years, designed to go toe to toe with your favorite performance shortboard. The all-new Dominator ...

Press play above to watch 4-minutes of raw surfing with South Africa's U16 National Champion, Rory Dace (https://www.instagram.com/rorydace/), at one of the world's premiere point breaks, Jeffreys Bay in South Africa.<br /><br />Affiliated with our partner in South Africa, Country Feeling Surf Shop, Rory is a 16 year old next generation surfer with an incredible power surfing style. This was his first session ever on an FRK Swallow, a stock 5'11" (x 19 1/4" x 2 5/8" x 31.94L) designed by Dan Mann with the 11x World Champion, Kelly Slater.<br /><br />Shop the FRK Swallow in USA: https://bit.ly/47wKWBs<br />Shop the FRK Swallow in ANZ: https://bit.ly/4dcjWIw<br />Shop the FRK Swallow in EU: https://bit.ly/3XynYoJ<br />Shop the FRK Swallow in UK: https://bit.ly/3ZPnUCb<br /><br />The FRK Swallow is the newest addition to the FRK quiver, designed for average conditions. This shape was crafted to unlock performance in waves 5' and under, Dan Mann designed the FRK Swallow to be more versatile in its performance characteristics than any other FRK shape that came before it.<br /><br />In addition to the new swallow tail design, Dan placed an emphasis on better distributing the volume directly between the surfer's stance and worked with Kelly to amplify the effect of the outline in the back third of the board against all-new rocker curves - both down the shape's centerline and on its rails. By specifically perfecting the curve at the board's center when compared with the curve at the rails, the FRK Swallow excels at creating speed in flat, sticky sections, without sacrificing on-rail performance.<br /><br />Amongst the Slater Designs team, the unanimous feedback has been that the FRK Swallow feels better during downcarves and in fin releases than any other Slater Designs shape.<br /><br />Designed to be surfed 2" shorter than the FRK and 1" shorter than the FRK+. Recommended to pair with our Endorfins KS1 Fin Set for best performance.<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/slaterdesigns<br />https://www.instagram.com/dan__mann<br />https://www.instagram.com/kellyslater

Raw Sessions: Jeffreys Bay with Rory Dace

2nd July, 2025

Press play above to watch 4-minutes of raw surfing with South Africa's U16 National Champion, Rory Dace (https://www.instagram.com/rorydace/), at one of the world's premiere point breaks, Jeffreys Bay in South Africa.Affiliated with our partner in South Africa, Country Feeling Surf Shop, Rory is a 16 year old next generation surfer ...

Press play for a quick recap of the 2025 California Firefighter Summer Games surfing event, put on by Orange County Fire Authority firefighter and Firewire Surfboards & Slater Designs rider, Kevin Schulz. This event has been held since 1983.<br /><br />Kevin puts on this contest through the greater California Firefighter Summer Games out of passion - roughly 70 competitors across 10 divisions, including participating firefighter surf clubs from up and down the coast. While this year's contest might not have had the most pristine conditions, the boys exercised their small-wave precision and had a blast regardless.<br /><br />Video by Noah McPherson (https://www.instagram.com/noahjm22). 🎥<br /><br />Shop the Machadocado in USA: https://bit.ly/3XIWrCV<br />Shop the Machadocado in AUS/NZ: https://bit.ly/4cnbpTJ<br />Shop the Machadocado in EU: https://bit.ly/3LaVdcg<br />Shop the Machadocado in UK: https://bit.ly/3zsvE3I<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/kevin_schulz<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado_surfboards

California Firefighter Summer Games with Kevin Schulz | Firewire Surfboards & Slater Designs

2nd July, 2025

Press play for a quick recap of the 2025 California Firefighter Summer Games surfing event, put on by Orange County Fire Authority firefighter and Firewire Surfboards & Slater Designs rider, Kevin Schulz. This event has been held since 1983.Kevin puts on this contest through the greater California Firefighter Summer Games ...

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Introducing the TJ Hull Rider | Firewire Surfboards

20th June, 2025

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Introducing the 2025 Limited Edition Seaside by Rob Machado, a rare resin-tinted take on the California style icon’s best-selling groveler. Only 250 made — each with its own one-of-a-kind resin tint — and no more will be made, these are only available at select surf shops.<br /><br />Watch a raw session with Rob riding his #1 of 250 Limited Edition Seaside at Seaside, with water photography by Todd Glaser.<br /><br />Learn more and USA Store List: https://bit.ly/4mTy3Zu<br />Learn more and AUS Store List: https://bit.ly/4mSzLuc<br />Learn more and EU Store List: https://bit.ly/4kDUeRC<br />Learn more and UK Store List: https://bit.ly/43xJIFL<br /><br />MORE ON THE SHAPE<br /><br />The Seaside in Helium Technology by Rob Machado is a best-selling shape, and one of the best grovelers you'll ever get your hands on. Rob thinks of this model as a cross between a shortboard and a fish - it's a slimmed down version of Rob's Too Fish, but built as a Quad to offer a bit more performance and control.<br /><br />This shape was pivotal in Rob's shaping journey (@rob_machado_surfboards), surfing and hanging around Cardiff-by-the-Sea more often, Rob's goal became unlocking fun in small waves—the more speed you can get without using a ton of effort, the better. The Seaside became Rob’s one-board-quiver: the one board he’d bring on a surf trip to anywhere in the world and be stoked.<br /><br />Pair with Rob's Machado Seaside Quad Fin Set for the best experience, designed specifically for this shape.<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado_surfboards

Introducing the 2025 Limited Edition Seaside by Rob Machado | Firewire Surfboards

5th June, 2025

Introducing the 2025 Limited Edition Seaside by Rob Machado, a rare resin-tinted take on the California style icon’s best-selling groveler. Only 250 made — each with its own one-of-a-kind resin tint — and no more will be made, these are only available at select surf shops.Watch a raw session with ...

Press play above to watch a few raw sessions in San Clemente with Kevin Schulz (@kevin_schulz), riding his stock 5'2" Machadocado in Helium Technology. Kevin rides this groveler by Rob Machado at Lowers, Barbed Wires, and Riviera, and shows us why it's quickly becoming a team favorite for when the waves are small. Now available in additional sizes, 5'5" at 30.5L, 5'7" at 33.7L, 5'9" at 38.7L, and 5'11" at 38.7L, so you can find your ideal volume.<br /><br />ABOUT THE MACHADOCADO<br />Meet your new favorite summertime shape, designed by Rob Machado inspired by the outline of an avocado mixed with the DNA of a fish and the performance of a shortboard. Experience the joy of catching waves you'd previously not even consider trying to catch on the Machadocado with ease, this is Rob's most versatile squash tail yet. Whether you're an experienced surfer or just beginning, this shape will be your best friend on smaller days.<br /><br />Designed by the California-based style icon, this board embodies Rob's extensive experience and passion for small wave surfing in California. The Machadocado is slightly wider and thicker than your standard shortboard, providing excellent stability and grovel-ability, while it's thinned out tail provides plenty of control and hold in rounder, more powerful waves. It's volume distribution favors fast wraps and quick speed generation in waves knee-high to overhead. The Thruster fin configuration allows you to ride as a Twin, a Twin with a trailer, or a Thruster, depending on your desired feeling.<br /><br />Recommended with the Machado 2 + 1 Fin Set for the best experience. This fin template was designed specifically for the Machadocado to enable tight turns and extreme control.<br /><br />THE STORY BEHIND THE SHAPE<br />Inspired by the shape of his favorite fruit, Rob Machado outlined the Machadocado with generous width for its length, taking proportional inspiration from an avocado - his favorite fruit for breakfast at home where he makes avocado toast for his family on the weekends. The magic in this fruit-inspired outline is the way that the generous width creates speed while the larger fin template close to the rail enables control, working in alignment with a perfectly thinned out foil.<br /><br />An idea 14 years in the making, the Machadocado was designed with weak waves in mind for easy speed creation when small waves aren't helping. Drawing from a deep history of performance surfing, Rob designed the thickness distribution from nose to tail in meticulous detail, ensuring the board can hold in the pocket without sacrificing the ability to create speed in flat sections.<br /><br />With the Machadocado in his van for summer, this shape has thinned out his quiver for the season. Rob says, "less boards in the van means more kids in the van, and my son and his crew have been ruling the beach this summer and I've only had one board with me. The Machadocado is fun everyday."<br /><br />Shop the Machadocado in USA: https://bit.ly/3XIWrCV<br />Shop the Machadocado in AUS/NZ: https://bit.ly/4cnbpTJ<br />Shop the Machadocado in EU: https://bit.ly/3LaVdcg<br />Shop the Machadocado in UK: https://bit.ly/3zsvE3I<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/kevin_schulz<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado_surfboards

Raw Sessions: San Clemente with Kevin Schulz | Firewire Surfboards

29th May, 2025

Press play above to watch a few raw sessions in San Clemente with Kevin Schulz (@kevin_schulz), riding his stock 5'2" Machadocado in Helium Technology. Kevin rides this groveler by Rob Machado at Lowers, Barbed Wires, and Riviera, and shows us why it's quickly becoming a team favorite for when the ...

Press play above to watch a raw session at Punta Mango with Deivid Silva. Around the 2025 World Championship Tour stop in El Salvador, the El Salvadorian government brought some of the WSL CT surfers to various local waves by military helicopter. Deivid was riding some of his custom FRKs designed by Dan Mann for competition, filmed by Gabriel Vieira (@gabrielvieira9_).<br /><br />ABOUT THE FRK<br /><br />The FRK, originally RFK which stood for 'Rocker for Kelly,' is the shape Dan Mann designed when asked to shape Kelly Slater a board for the first time. Featuring traditional shortboard outline with medium entry and exit rocker, medium to low performance rails, and a double concave running through the back half of the board, resulting in the perfect craft for high-performance surfing. Best paired with Kelly's KS1 fin template.<br /><br />For wave type, like the majority of traditional shortboard shapes, the FRK is designed for high-performance surfing in critical waves, in up to 6' surf. It loves anything punchy or bowly with some power. Recommended in 2-6' surf, skewing towards average to epic conditions.<br /><br />Dan Mann on the backstory behind the shape, "I knew immediately what I wanted to make him. I saw it all in my head immediately, from the bottom contour to the tail template. The way the volume would distribute through the width, the whole shape. It might actually be the most intuitive design I’ve ever done, probably because I’ve spent so many years both watching Kelly surf, and shaping boards. As crazy as it sounds I was certain it would work for him. The odd thing was, after sending him the board in 2015, I never heard from Kelly about how the board went, and I sort of just moved on to other stuff. Then one afternoon in 2017 I got this stream of text messages one day about how Kelly was blowing up at Trestles on my board. It totally caught me off guard. Just text messages and phone calls flying in from everyone. I sorted through everyone’s messages and learned that Kelly’s good friend from Florida who was in town at the time had grabbed the board from Kelly’s shed where it had sat un-surfed for two years. He surfed it and then told Kelly that Kelly would love it based on having known Kelly his whole life, and having a good idea about what boards he likes and doesn’t like, based on all the times the two of them had swapped boards before."<br /><br />Shop FRK in USA: https://bit.ly/4jOSx3r<br />Shop FRK in ANZ: https://bit.ly/3RX5Gvc<br />Shop FRK in EU: https://bit.ly/4k92ngu<br />Shop FRK in UK: https://bit.ly/3EPUnlH<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/slaterdesigns<br />https://www.instagram.com/kellyslater<br />https://www.instagram.com/dan__mann<br />https://www.instagram.com/dvdsilva

Raw Sessions: El Salvador with Deivid Silva | Slater Designs

15th May, 2025

Press play above to watch a raw session at Punta Mango with Deivid Silva. Around the 2025 World Championship Tour stop in El Salvador, the El Salvadorian government brought some of the WSL CT surfers to various local waves by military helicopter. Deivid was riding some of his custom FRKs ...

Introducing the Taylor Jensen Pro Mid, a shaped designed by Dan Mann & Taylor Jensen. The TJ Pro Mid is a fast-paddling, easy-riding performance midlength designed for all skill levels, based on his TJ Pro performance longboard model. Whether your looking to step down off a longboard or step up into more volume for smaller days, the TJ Mid is a versatile performance shape that has something for everyone. <br /><br />The TJ Mid has a flat rocker profile with slight kick at the tip, allowing faster paddling power and steeper drops. The relatively flat bottom up front blends into a double concave under your feet and the rails transition from neutral round forward to a tucked hard edge through the tail. That combination leaves you with a feeling of improved stability, enhanced control and effortless performance. Drive through turns and float over flat sections without a second thought - you haven't felt on-rail drive until you've ridden a board 7 foot or over.<br /><br />Built with 5 fin boxes, this board has the versatility to be ridden as a Two Plus One, Quad or Single fin, giving you the plenty of options to set up your board for the conditions on the day. <br /><br />Pair with our all-new Firewire Velox Fin Set as a Quad for best performance.<br /><br />Shop the TJ Pro Mid in USA: https://bit.ly/4jJ5kV9<br />Shop the TJ Pro Mid in ANZ: https://bit.ly/4jz0rhd<br />Shop the TJ Pro Mid in EU: https://bit.ly/3GxLgGG<br />Shop the TJ Pro Mid in UK: https://bit.ly/3RHsz5C<br /><br />For Wave Type, the Taylor Jensen Pro Mid is incredibly versatile, and works in a variety of conditions. Anything from shin-high to double overhead, this is your one-board quiver for a boat trip abroad, or everyday at home all year long.<br /><br />For Board Features, the Taylor Jensen Pro Mid appears at first glance like it is thinner and under-volumed compared to other midlengths at the same length, but TJ and Dan Mann specifically hid volume creatively to ensure maximum ease-of-use with performance capabilities in midlengths longer than 7 foot.<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/dan__mann<br />https://www.instagram.com/taylorjensentj

Introducing the TJ Pro Mid | Firewire Surfboards

1st May, 2025

Introducing the Taylor Jensen Pro Mid, a shaped designed by Dan Mann & Taylor Jensen. The TJ Pro Mid is a fast-paddling, easy-riding performance midlength designed for all skill levels, based on his TJ Pro performance longboard model. Whether your looking to step down off a longboard or step up ...

Press play to learn more about Rob Machado's all-new Groove model, the highest-performance shortboard he's ever designed. This video digs a bit deeper into Rob's original Groove prototype, which he traded back and forth with Encinitas freesurfer, Nick Marshall.<br /><br />Featuring sessions at home in North County San Diego on the original Groove prototype, we also see the radical surfing Nick got up to this past winter on the North Shore, riding a stock 5'4" Groove built in our proprietary Helium Technology (x19" x 2 3/16" x 25.8L).<br /><br />Shop the Groove in USA: https://bit.ly/3FsUZxj<br />Shop the Groove in ANZ: https://bit.ly/4iq6JiF<br />Shop the Groove in EU: https://bit.ly/4imf9ro<br />Shop the Groove in UK: https://bit.ly/43InaCq<br /><br />MORE ON THE GROOVE SHAPE<br />This shape still has the hybrid DNA Rob's known for, but it's the closest thing to a high-performance shortboard Rob's ever created. The Groove's rocker and tail template bring this shape back into the world of being able to come square off the bottom and go square off the lip, what everyone calls 'high-performance surfing.' Rob added in more rocker than his typical shapes, with a tail rocker that puts you tight in the pocket and elevated nose rocker to help you come down tight off the lip without catching your nose. As Rob explains, "all surfboards have a balance of speed and control, and the Groove is all about controlling the speed a good wave gives you. It's the most responsive, high-performance board I've ever designed."<br /><br />For Wave Type, this shape excels in just about everything. It'll work if you take it on a boat trip. "I build versatility into every design he shapes," says Rob Machado. "I build speed and ease-of-use in every surfboard I make."<br /><br />For Board Features, Rob says, "thinned out the foil, narrowed the tail block. Added a cute little squash tail. And much more rocker than I've been riding the last several years. I tapped into all my performance DNA that was in my shapes in the 90s, and added sprinkles of my recent design work, making surfboards that are fast, floaty and fun in all conditions." <br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado_surfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/nickmarshall3

Nick Marshall rides the Groove | Firewire Surfboards

10th April, 2025

Press play to learn more about Rob Machado's all-new Groove model, the highest-performance shortboard he's ever designed. This video digs a bit deeper into Rob's original Groove prototype, which he traded back and forth with Encinitas freesurfer, Nick Marshall.Featuring sessions at home in North County San Diego on the original ...

Press play to join Rob Machado and his 11-year-old son, Jax, as they relive their recent trip to Kelly Slater Wave Company's Surf Ranch in Lemoore, CA, and witness Rob's first R&D session on a Groove prototype.<br /><br />Meet the highest-performance board Rob Machado's ever designed, the Groove in Helium Technology.<br /><br />This shape still has the hybrid DNA Rob's known for, but it's the closest thing to a high-performance shortboard Rob's ever created. The Groove's rocker and tail template bring this shape back into the world of being able to come square off the bottom and go square off the lip, what everyone calls 'high-performance surfing.' Rob added in more rocker than his typical shapes, with a tail rocker that puts you tight in the pocket and elevated nose rocker to help you come down tight off the lip without catching your nose. As Rob explains, "all surfboards have a balance of speed and control, and the Groove is all about controlling the speed a good wave gives you. It's the most responsive, high-performance board I've ever designed."<br /><br />For Wave Type, this shape excels in just about everything. It'll work if you take it on a boat trip. "I build versatility into every design he shapes," says Rob Machado. "I build speed and ease-of-use in every surfboard I make."<br /><br />For Board Features, Rob says, "thinned out the foil, narrowed the tail block. Added a cute little squash tail. And much more rocker than I've been riding the last several years. I tapped into all my performance DNA that was in my shapes in the 90s, and added sprinkles of my recent design work, making surfboards that are fast, floaty and fun in all conditions." <br /><br />Pair with Rob's all-new Machado Groove Fin Set for best performance, and be sure to experiment in both the Thruster and Quad configurations.<br /><br />Shop the Groove in USA: https://bit.ly/3FsUZxj<br />Shop the Groove in ANZ: https://bit.ly/4iq6JiF<br />Shop the Groove in EU: https://bit.ly/4imf9ro<br />Shop the Groove in UK: https://bit.ly/43InaCq<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado_surfboards

Rob & Jax Go To Lemoore featuring the Groove | Firewire Surfboards

3rd April, 2025

Press play to join Rob Machado and his 11-year-old son, Jax, as they relive their recent trip to Kelly Slater Wave Company's Surf Ranch in Lemoore, CA, and witness Rob's first R&D session on a Groove prototype.Meet the highest-performance board Rob Machado's ever designed, the Groove in Helium Technology.This shape ...

Press play to join Rob Kelly and Kevin Schulz in Brazil for the unveiling of American Wave Machines' latest creation, the new PerfectSwell™️ wave pool in São Paulo. The result? Three straight days of jaw-dropping fresh water surfing shot by Bruno Zanin (@brunozanin_) on the most high-performance shape Rob Machado's ever designed, the Groove in Helium Technology.<br /><br />Rob Kelly, an employee of American Wave Machines, invited Orange County firefighter Kevin Schulz to Brazil for a quick strike mission. They both brought their quiver of Rob Machado shapes and spent most of their session riding the all-new Firewire Surfboards Groove in Helium Technology by Rob Machado. Kevin also brought a Machadocado in Helium Technology, and was able to get a side-by-side comparison across the newly invented air sections offered by PerfectSwell™️, including the all-new McFly air section.<br /><br />Fully equipped with the Machado Groove Fin Set, Rob Kelly was riding his stock 5'6" Groove as a Thruster, and Kevin was riding his stock 5'6" Groove as a Quad.<br /><br />Shop the Groove in USA: https://bit.ly/3FsUZxj<br />Shop the Groove in ANZ: https://bit.ly/4iq6JiF<br />Shop the Groove in EU: https://bit.ly/4imf9ro<br />Shop the Groove in UK: https://bit.ly/43InaCq<br /><br />MORE ON THE GROOVE SHAPE<br />This shape still has the hybrid DNA Rob's known for, but it's the closest thing to a high-performance shortboard Rob's ever created. The Groove's rocker and tail template bring this shape back into the world of being able to come square off the bottom and go square off the lip, what everyone calls 'high-performance surfing.' Rob added in more rocker than his typical shapes, with a tail rocker that puts you tight in the pocket and elevated nose rocker to help you come down tight off the lip without catching your nose. As Rob explains, "all surfboards have a balance of speed and control, and the Groove is all about controlling the speed a good wave gives you. It's the most responsive, high-performance board I've ever designed."<br /><br />For Wave Type, this shape excels in just about everything. It'll work if you take it on a boat trip. "I build versatility into every design he shapes," says Rob Machado. "I build speed and ease-of-use in every surfboard I make."<br /><br />For Board Features, Rob says, "thinned out the foil, narrowed the tail block. Added a cute little squash tail. And much more rocker than I've been riding the last several years. I tapped into all my performance DNA that was in my shapes in the 90s, and added sprinkles of my recent design work, making surfboards that are fast, floaty and fun in all conditions." <br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado_surfboards

The best airs ever done in a wave pool? Team Firewire rides the Groove. | Firewire Surfboards

20th March, 2025

Press play to join Rob Kelly and Kevin Schulz in Brazil for the unveiling of American Wave Machines' latest creation, the new PerfectSwell™️ wave pool in São Paulo. The result? Three straight days of jaw-dropping fresh water surfing shot by Bruno Zanin (@brunozanin_) on the most high-performance shape Rob Machado's ...

Press play to join Rob Kelly and Kevin Schulz in Brazil for the unveiling of American Wave Machines' latest creation, the new PerfectSwell™️ wave pool in São Paulo. The result? Three straight days of jaw-dropping fresh water surfing shot by Bruno Zanin (@brunozanin_) on the most high-performance shape Rob Machado's ever designed, the Groove in Helium Technology.<br /><br />Rob Kelly, an employee of American Wave Machines, invited Orange County firefighter Kevin Schulz to Brazil for a quick strike mission. They both brought their quiver of Rob Machado shapes and spent most of their session riding the all-new Firewire Surfboards Groove in Helium Technology by Rob Machado. Kevin also brought a Machadocado in Helium Technology, and was able to get a side-by-side comparison across the newly invented invented air sections offered by PerfectSwell™️, including the all-new McFly air section.<br /><br />Fully equipped with the Machado Groove Fin Set, Rob Kelly was riding his stock 5'6" Groove as a Thruster, and Kevin was riding his stock 5'6" Groove as a Quad.<br /><br />Shop the Groove in USA: https://bit.ly/3FsUZxj<br />Shop the Groove in ANZ: https://bit.ly/4iq6JiF<br />Shop the Groove in EU: https://bit.ly/4imf9ro<br />Shop the Groove in UK: https://bit.ly/43InaCq<br /><br />MORE ON THE GROOVE SHAPE<br />This shape still has the hybrid DNA Rob's known for, but it's the closest thing to a high-performance shortboard Rob's ever created. The Groove's rocker and tail template bring this shape back into the world of being able to come square off the bottom and go square off the lip, what everyone calls 'high-performance surfing.' Rob added in more rocker than his typical shapes, with a tail rocker that puts you tight in the pocket and elevated nose rocker to help you come down tight off the lip without catching your nose. As Rob explains, "all surfboards have a balance of speed and control, and the Groove is all about controlling the speed a good wave gives you. It's the most responsive, high-performance board I've ever designed."<br /><br />For Wave Type, this shape excels in just about everything. It'll work if you take it on a boat trip. "I build versatility into every design he shapes," says Rob Machado. "I build speed and ease-of-use in every surfboard I make."<br /><br />For Board Features, Rob says, "thinned out the foil, narrowed the tail block. Added a cute little squash tail. And much more rocker than I've been riding the last several years. I tapped into all my performance DNA that was in my shapes in the 90s, and added sprinkles of my recent design work, making surfboards that are fast, floaty and fun in all conditions." <br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado_surfboards

OLD - The best airs ever done in a wave pool? Team Firewire rides the Groove. | Firewire Surfboards

18th March, 2025

Press play to join Rob Kelly and Kevin Schulz in Brazil for the unveiling of American Wave Machines' latest creation, the new PerfectSwell™️ wave pool in São Paulo. The result? Three straight days of jaw-dropping fresh water surfing shot by Bruno Zanin (@brunozanin_) on the most high-performance shape Rob Machado's ...

A throwback to Rob's performance days, the Machado Groove Fin Set is a performance template crafted for Rob's continued exploration of the performance surfing world. This is the highest-performance fin template Rob's ever designed.<br /><br />Rob took special care with this fin's construction, wanting to create a technically progressive flex throughout the template. Because of the various carbon layups in combination with the bamboo core, the leading edge is stiffer while the trailing edge has more flex. This construction's progressive flex provides spring and liveliness out of every turn, while maintaining the immediate response and drive required for high-performance surfing.<br /><br />This fin set comes as a 5 Fin Set because although Rob original designed the Groove as a Thruster, he quickly became hooked on the Quad configuration. It's offered in size Medium/Large as it's larger than a typical Medium but smaller than a typical Large.<br /><br />Designed specifically for Rob's all-new shape, the Groove in Helium Technology. Be sure to experiment in both the Thruster and Quad configurations.<br /><br />Shop the Machado Groove Fin Set in USA: https://bit.ly/422B3tT<br />Shop the Machado Groove Fin Set in ANZ: https://bit.ly/4hu2zFf<br />Shop the Machado Groove Fin Set in EU: https://bit.ly/3FuxeF8<br />Shop the Machado Groove Fin Set in UK: https://bit.ly/3R5fhzw<br /><br />For Wave Type, the Machado Groove Fin Set is a throwback to Rob's performance days, and is a five fin template for high-performance surfing. This fin set is lively and responsive in punchy, hollow waves from around waist-high to overhead. The construction's progression flex provides spring and liveliness out of every turn, while maintaining the immediate response and drive required for high-performance surfing.<br /><br />On the Fin Template, while this is an Upright (pivot) template, it still has Rob's hybrid DNA with a lengthened base. Rob took special care with this fin's construction, wanting to create a technically progressive flex throughout the template. Because of the various carbon layups in combination with the bamboo core, the leading edge is stiffer while the trailing edge has more flex. This construction's progressive flex provides spring and liveliness out of every turn, while maintaining the immediate response and drive required for high-performance surfing. <br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado_surfboards

Introducing the Machado Groove Fin Set | Firewire Surfboards

13th March, 2025

A throwback to Rob's performance days, the Machado Groove Fin Set is a performance template crafted for Rob's continued exploration of the performance surfing world. This is the highest-performance fin template Rob's ever designed.Rob took special care with this fin's construction, wanting to create a technically progressive flex throughout the ...

When everything goes your way. Find your Groove. Meet the highest-performance board Rob Machado's ever designed.<br /><br />This shape still has the hybrid DNA Rob's known for, but it's the closest thing to a high-performance shortboard Rob's ever created. The Groove's rocker and tail template bring this shape back into the world of being able to come square off the bottom and go square off the lip, what everyone calls 'high-performance surfing.' Rob added in more rocker than his typical shapes, with a tail rocker that puts you tight in the pocket and elevated nose rocker to help you come down tight off the lip without catching your nose. As Rob explains, "all surfboards have a balance of speed and control, and the Groove is all about controlling the speed a good wave gives you. It's the most responsive, high-performance board I've ever designed."<br /><br />Pair with Rob's all-new Machado Groove Fin Set for best performance, and be sure to experiment in both the Thruster and Quad configurations.<br /><br />Shop the Groove in USA: https://bit.ly/3FsUZxj<br />Shop the Groove in ANZ: https://bit.ly/4iq6JiF<br />Shop the Groove in EU: https://bit.ly/4imf9ro<br />Shop the Groove in UK: https://bit.ly/43InaCq<br /><br />For Wave Type, this shape excels in just about everything. It'll work if you take it on a boat trip. "I build versatility into every design he shapes," says Rob Machado. "I build speed and ease-of-use in every surfboard I make."<br /><br />For Board Features, Rob says, "thinned out the foil, narrowed the tail block. Added a cute little squash tail. And much more rocker than I've been riding the last several years. I tapped into all my performance DNA that was in my shapes in the 90s, and added sprinkles of my recent design work, making surfboards that are fast, floaty and fun in all conditions." <br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado_surfboards

Introducing the Groove | Firewire Surfboards

13th March, 2025

When everything goes your way. Find your Groove. Meet the highest-performance board Rob Machado's ever designed.This shape still has the hybrid DNA Rob's known for, but it's the closest thing to a high-performance shortboard Rob's ever created. The Groove's rocker and tail template bring this shape back into the world ...

Press play above to watch 𝗥𝗼𝗯 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼: 𝗕𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻, a short film created by David Malcom exploring the Pipe Master, free surfer, and world-class shaper’s story.<br /> <br />Diving into Rob's competitive background and early equipment choices, this short film brings you inside the head of the California style icon, and what pushes him to design the shapes we all love. From his best-selling Seaside in Helium Technology, to his Too Fish, Mashup, all-new Machadocado and more, Rob shares his journey and some of the pivotal moments that has brought his surfboard label, Rob Machado Surfboards, to where it is today.<br /><br />Explore Rob Machado's Gear: https://bit.ly/4hCFBga<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado<br />https://www.instagram.com/rob_machado_surfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/poorolddave<br /><br />About Firewire Surfboards:<br />Since 2006, Firewire Surfboards has been on a mission to inspire and enhance the surfing experience. Through innovative and quality surf products built with the conscious minimization of harm to the planet, we believe in our ability to improve the lives of the people and communities we touch.

Rob Machado: By Design | Firewire Surfboards

15th February, 2025

Press play above to watch 𝗥𝗼𝗯 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼: 𝗕𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻, a short film created by David Malcom exploring the Pipe Master, free surfer, and world-class shaper’s story. Diving into Rob's competitive background and early equipment choices, this short film brings you inside the head of the California style icon, and what ...

Meet the Stu Kenson Twinzer Fin Set, designed specifically for the all-new Taylor Jensen Twinzer in Helium Technology.<br /><br />Renowned San Diegan shaper, Stu Kenson says:<br /><br />"This has been my go-to Twinzer setup for quite some time. Clean, balanced curves, just the perfect blend of fin base, rake, area and the front canard fin just the right size to complement working together with the rear fins. I use it on everything from sub 6'0" fishes and shortboards, step-ups, midlengths, and longboards. No gimmicks here."<br /><br />Shop the Stu Kenson Twinzer Fin Set in USA: https://bit.ly/4hpBXFT<br />Shop the Stu Kenson Twinzer Fin Set in AUS/NZ: https://bit.ly/40vuHRU<br />Shop the Stu Kenson Twinzer Fin Set in EU: https://bit.ly/4apHNVr<br />Shop the Stu Kenson Twinzer Fin Set in UK: https://bit.ly/4ar9L2Y<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/sk_shape

Introducing the Stu Kenson Twinzer Fin Set | Firewire Surfboards

30th January, 2025

Meet the Stu Kenson Twinzer Fin Set, designed specifically for the all-new Taylor Jensen Twinzer in Helium Technology.Renowned San Diegan shaper, Stu Kenson says:"This has been my go-to Twinzer setup for quite some time. Clean, balanced curves, just the perfect blend of fin base, rake, area and the front canard ...

Introducing the Taylor Jensen Twinzer, a collaboration between Stu Kenson & Taylor Jensen. An iteration on the iconic design from the San Diegan shaper: this is the Thruster, enhanced. Better transitions and more turns in this iconic design.<br /><br />Stu Kenson on the Twinzer:<br /><br />"I started making Twinzers right after seeing Martin Potter ride one in 1989 at Lower Trestles.<br /><br />Back then, Twins were known to offer more speed and more maneuverability than single fins. These Twins were the foundation for what became Simon Anderson's Thruster. When I watched Martin Potter on a Twinzer that day at Lower Trestles, it was clear to me that a Twinzer setup had potential to become a solid innovation to a Thruster set.<br /><br />About 10 to 12 years ago, I made some design changes to the designs I originally refined in the early 90s, such as updated fin placements, and minor changes through the overall shape of the board.<br /><br />This R&D turned into a game changer. From fishes to eggs, up into midlengths and performance longboards, and now making them into step up big wave boards.<br /><br />One of the other key things about the Twinzer is how well it works in a variety of surf conditions from small junk surf to well overhead powerful surf.<br /><br />And...they work just as well on your backhand as they do on your forehand."<br /><br />Pair with our all-new Firewire Stu Kenson Twinzer Fin Set for best performance.<br /><br />Shop the TJ Twinzer in USA: https://bit.ly/3Wwfejj<br />Shop the TJ Twinzer in ANZ: https://bit.ly/4hrvt9r<br />Shop the TJ Twinzer in EU: https://bit.ly/4hodosS<br />Shop the TJ Twinzer in UK: https://bit.ly/4hsrRUy<br /><br />For Wave Type, the Taylor Jensen Twinzer works well in surf 2 to 7 foot, in a variety of conditions.<br /><br />For Board Features, the TJ Twinzer is an innovation inspired by the performance of Thrusters and the desire to make them more fun, functional, and finessed underfoot.<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards<br />https://www.instagram.com/sk_shape<br />https://www.instagram.com/taylorjensentj

Introducing the TJ Twinzer | Firewire Surfboards

30th January, 2025

Introducing the Taylor Jensen Twinzer, a collaboration between Stu Kenson & Taylor Jensen. An iteration on the iconic design from the San Diegan shaper: this is the Thruster, enhanced. Better transitions and more turns in this iconic design.Stu Kenson on the Twinzer:"I started making Twinzers right after seeing Martin Potter ...

Watch Kevin Schulz in Single Sessions Episode 9 comparing two shortboards designed by Dan Mann with Kelly Slater, built in I-Bolic Technology: a stock 5'9" FRK+ and a stock 5'8" FRK Swallow. This episode was filmed at Lower Trestles, in San Clemente, CA.<br /> <br />Kevin's thoughts? While both shapes are great performance shortboards, the FRK+ likes waves with a bit more energy and a bit more push, while the FRK Swallow is best in the weakest, junkiest conditions. The FRK Swallow might also be the best on rail out of all shapes in the Slater Designs range.<br /><br />Pair the FRK+ & FRK Swallow with our Slater Designs Endorfins KS1 for the best experience.<br /><br />Single Sessions is your opportunity to eaves drop on aspirational performances in relatable waves – the world’s best surfers in everyday conditions riding Firewire and Slater Designs shapes built in Helium and I-Bolic Technology.<br /><br />Shop the FRK+ in USA: https://bit.ly/4fwa7GC<br />Shop the FRK+ in AUS/NZ: https://bit.ly/3DwU12g<br />Shop the FRK+ in EU: https://bit.ly/3DqJsOe<br />Shop the FRK+ in UK: https://bit.ly/3ZPuIjo<br /><br />Shop the FRK Swallow in USA: https://bit.ly/4iOxTAw<br />Shop the FRK Swallow in AUS/NZ: https://bit.ly/3ZKy8Uu<br />Shop the FRK Swallow in EU: https://bit.ly/49ZclNG<br />Shop the FRK Swallow in UK: https://bit.ly/3ZPnUCb<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/slaterdesigns<br />https://www.instagram.com/kevin_schulz<br />https://www.instagram.com/dan__mann<br />https://www.instagram.com/kellyslater

Single Sessions Ep. 9: FRK+ vs. FRK Swallow with Kevin Schulz

2nd January, 2025

Watch Kevin Schulz in Single Sessions Episode 9 comparing two shortboards designed by Dan Mann with Kelly Slater, built in I-Bolic Technology: a stock 5'9" FRK+ and a stock 5'8" FRK Swallow. This episode was filmed at Lower Trestles, in San Clemente, CA. Kevin's thoughts? While both shapes are great ...

Progression in paradise. 🏝️<br /><br />Winter on the North Shore deals a different hand every day, so being well equipped for a variety of conditions is a must. Explore our team's Winter Essentials: their preferred gear for the 2024/2025 winter season, to make the most of everything the ocean sends their way.<br /><br />This winter, next-generation Hawaiian Brodi Sale is riding a stock 5'11" FRK, stock 5'10" FRK+, and stock 5'9" FRK Swallow - a versatile performance quiver that has Brodi covered in most conditions on O'ahu.<br /><br />Dial-in your quiver, explore Brodi's favorites below - <br />Winter Essentials in USA: https://bit.ly/3UP2jbt<br />Winter Essentials in AUS/NZ: https://bit.ly/4fKLYwo<br />Winter Essentials in EU: https://bit.ly/3O61IOJ<br />Winter Essentials in UK: https://bit.ly/3AEEtZ1<br /><br />Follow us on Instagram:<br />https://www.instagram.com/slaterdesigns<br />https://www.instagram.com/brodi_sale<br />https://www.instagram.com/firewiresurfboards

2024 Winter Essentials with Brodi Sale: FRK, FRK+, & FRK Swallow

23rd December, 2024

Progression in paradise. 🏝️Winter on the North Shore deals a different hand every day, so being well equipped for a variety of conditions is a must. Explore our team's Winter Essentials: their preferred gear for the 2024/2025 winter season, to make the most of everything the ocean sends their way.This ...