Firewire Seaside & Beyond Helium Volcanic Surfboard

Rob Machado on the Seaside & Beyond, "I’ve really been wanting to play around with some longer fishy kind of boards for a while now... Ever since I spent some time with Skip Frye and he showed me some of his fishes in the 7 foot range It’s been on my mind. I first stretched out the Go Fish and made a 7'0". It worked great and really got my mind spinning. Then I made a 7’0" Seaside and it became one of my favorite boards in my quiver. I rode it in everything - super small days, bigger days and everything in between. It’s become a board that I will take with me everywhere I go. It glides. It turns on a dime and most importantly, it puts a smile on my face."

Wave Type
One of Rob's most popular midlength shapes because of its versatility, this board is tons of small in just about any conditions. From micro days you might not consider surfing, to bigger days when the waves are more solid, to everything in between, the Seaside & Beyond has become a favorite in our quiver. Recommended in 1-5' surf, skewing towards poor to average conditions.

Board Features
A brainchild of Rob Machado, this longer fishy outline is not only pleasing to the eye, but also performs. It takes cues from his Go Fish and Seaside models, and was inspired by legendary Southern California surf icon and shaper Skip Frye.

Helium Core Technology

This is your ideal technology choice for generating speed in weak, everyday waves. The Firewire Helium technology is a stringerless 1.0 lb EPS foam core with flex controlled with rails made from Paulownia and Balsa wood, running the complete length from nose to tail, combined with a 3mm proprietary aerospace composite deck skin.

The wood rails enable a lively flex in the rail that gives a loaded-up, spring-back feeling, and the deck skins make your board feel this way for a long time.

Helium deck skins are beneficial for both durability and performance - and have a memory that will rebound back to form after being compressed, making it very responsive in addition to keeping your deck surface pristine for many years.

Helium Performance
Ideal for generating speed in weak, everyday waves - this is your choice if you want unmatched response, lightweight and durability. Helium has a lively, responsive flex underfoot, and surfs quickly and explosively when creating tight angles.

Helium Construction
The Firewire Helium technology is a stringerless 1.0 lb EPS foam core with flex controlled with rails made from Paulownia and Balsa wood, running the complete length from nose to tail, combined with a 3mm proprietary aerospace composite deck skin.

Helium Lamination Compatibility
Helium cores are paired with fiberglass lamination, Volcanic lamination, Timbertek lamination, or Artificial Wave Technology fiberglass lamination.

Volcanic Lamination Technology

Volcanic lamination technology is made from basalt, a natural element that comes from volcanic rocks. These volcanic rocks are crushed, melted down and then extruded into woven fibers that make up the basalt cloth Firewire uses in this lamination technology. This process requires the basalt rock to get to about 1,500 degrees Celsius (2,730 degrees Fahrenheit.)

The cloth has the same functional characteristics to carbon, making it a sustainable alternative to carbon, which is very bad for the environment. While basalt fiber has been around for decades, it's relatively new to fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) and structural composites used for surfboard manufacturing. It has a similar chemical composition to glass fiber, but better strength characteristics.

Volcanic Performance
Firewire's most durable construction with elevated response. This sustainable alternative to carbon is stronger than carbon and can also withstand higher temperatures than carbon, making it a top choice for the aerospace industry in the manufacturing of rockets and jet engines. It also has higher elasticity than traditional carbon, allowing the board to have more flex for a natural feel underfoot.

Volcanic Construction
The Firewire Volcanic lamination schedule is double 4 oz basalt cloth on the deck, and single 4 oz basalt cloth on the bottom.

Volcanic Core Compatibility
Volcanic lamination is paired with either I-Bolic cores or Helium cores.