There are a lot of new terms out there when it comes to describing surfboards and the surfboard manufacturing process these days. You hear technical jargon like parabolic rails, flex, EPS, sandwiched construction, and epoxy. These terms usually translate into some type of bro slang like twang, drive, skimmy, or pop. But no matter how surfers describe their boards and how they feel while surfing, it is in the competitive nature of surfers to find any advantage we can to help us surf better and have more fun. One of the best examples of a surfboard company leading this charge is Firewire Surfboards.

Nev Hyman the famous Australian designer who has been shaping boards for over thirty years; along with Dan Mann a Californian surfer and shaper who runs Firewire's U.S. development team are the main forces behind Firewire. Together they have developed what Firewire calls "Future Shapes Technology". So what does this actually mean and what will it mean in terms of surfing? To put it simply, this is a process in which an EPS blank with balsa wood parabolic rails gets sandwiched between two layers of high density skin then laminated with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin.

Most surfboard design represents a trade off between rocker and that skimmy feel. The more rocker a board has allows for tighter turns but pushes water in the flats. Alternatively a flatter rocker is faster in the flats but does not turn as sharply. Because Firewire surfboards actually create rocker when you are in a turn, the overall rocker can be flatter, allowing for a faster board in a straight line or in a mushy section of a wave without sacrificing turning. Unlike some EPS boards that have a corky feel, Firewire boards are designed with the densest part of the board on the rail, allowing you to dig the rail harder in a turn, while not compromising on speed and control.

Firewire surfboards are noticeably lighter than a regular surfboard, but considerably stronger. However, the boards are not too light which could lack drive or punch when hitting the lip, due to the lighter weight. Most pros ride boards lighter than the surfboards that are on the rack at you local surf shop. With a Firewire, the average surfer can now surf a similarly weighted board everyday without sacrificing durability.

Unlike other EPS boards or "pop outs" Firewire surfboards are shaped and not molded. And although Firewire certainly has the capability of building custom boards as they do for world class surfers like Taj Burrow. They are not taking orders for custom boards yet. Nevertheless, most average surfers would probably prefer the added performance of a hi-tech stock surfboard over the lower tech but custom design of a regular surfboard. And really the best thing about Firewire boards from a surfer's perspective is that the boards are identical. Let's say you had a Firewire that was the perfect board for you and one day it was gone. Well, all you have to do is find another Firewire of the same model and size and you will have your magic board again. No longer does that touchy feely aspect of selecting a surfboard apply. No more standing in the surf shop for hours feeling rails looking at rockers and concaves. Because Firewire's within the same model and size will always be the same. So now you can basically buy the same board over and over again.