Slater Designs FRK Swallow I-Bolic 2.0 Surfboard

Amongst the Slater Designs team, the unanimous feedback has been that the FRK Swallow feels better during down-carves and in fin releases than any other Slater Designs shape.

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.

Wave Type
Designed for waves 5 foot and under, Dan Mann designed the FRK Swallow to be the most versatile in performance in the FRK range. With an emphasis in better distributing the volume directly beneath the surfer's stance, the FRK Swallow excels at creating speed in flat, sticky sections, without sacrificing on-rail performance. Meant to be ridden 2" shorter than the FRK and 1" shorter than the FRK+. Despite Dan's original design intention to optimize the FRK Swallow for smaller waves, the team quickly validated its performance versatility in everything from knee-high T Street to well-overhead Oaxaca.

Board Features
Compared to the rest of the FRK quiver, Dan worked to better distribute the volume directly beneath the surfer's stance, updated the outline and rocker profile, and worked with Kelly to amplify the effect of the outline in the back third of the board against the all-new rocker curves. This rail rocker through the back third of the board was specifically paired with a swallow tail to enable precise rail work uncommon in small wave shortboards. Each tip of the swallow tail enables hold beyond what a squash tail would allow when carving on rail, because of the surface area reduction in the last several inches of the board when compared to a squash tail.

I-Bolic 2.0 Core Technology

I-Bolic 2.0 is Firewire’s second-generation composite technology — designed to deliver maximum strength-to-weight performance, tuned controlled flex, and long-term durability. Unlike traditional PU boards that rely on a central wood stringer, I-Bolic 2.0 features a patented composite I-Beam stringer system combined with high-density parabolic rails, distributing flex energy throughout the entire structure. The result is a lively, responsive, and incredibly durable surfboard that maintains consistent performance session after session.

The I-Bolic blanks undergo 3 shaping stages:

1. CNC-cut EPS core
2. Deck cut I-Beam and deck installation
3. Rail and bottom cut
4. Final finish shaping

I-Bolic 2.0 Technology Core
At the heart of I-Bolic 2.0 is a 1.5 lb fused-cell EPS core, precision-milled and engineered through a combination of high-density foam and lightweight EPS that internally balances buoyancy with rebound response. Running through the center is the I-Beam stringer, constructed from GR-80 aerospace-grade high-density foam. This core beam is capped with 2.0 lb high-density EPS flanges on both the roof and floor — creating a true I-Beam geometry that controls both torsional flex and longitudinal stiffness.

Flanking the structure, 2.0 lb high-density EPS parabolic rail inserts provide progressive flex control and reinforcement through the turn radius, allowing the board to store and release energy efficiently. The deck skin is made from MPP (Modified Polypropylene) and is bonded to the top deck using a 2.5 oz e-glass, enhancing bond strength and durability while providing a smooth, consistent flex response across the surface. A 2 inch Engineered Carbon Fiber Inset Tape runs along the bottom deck rocker for longitudinal strength and durability.

All components are bonded through a vacuum-laminated sandwich process using Entropy Bio Resin, the same plant-based epoxy system used across all Firewire and Slater Designs boards, ensuring consistent flex integrity, lower VOC emissions, and superior environmental performance.

I-Bolic Technology Materials

• Core Foam: 1.5 lb Fused-cell EPS (lightweight + high-density blend)
• I-Beam Stringer: GR-80 aerospace high-density foam
• I-Beam Caps (Roof & Floor): 2.0 lb high-density EPS flange
• Parabolic Rail Inserts: 2.0 lb high-density EPS
• Deck Skin: MPP (Modified Polypropylene) bonded with 1.8 oz epoxy fiber cloth
• Top Deck Lamination: 1 x 4 oz fiberglass layer
• Bottom Deck Lamination: 2 x 4 oz fiberglass layers + 2" engineered carbon fiber inset tape
• Resin System: Entropy Bio Resin (plant-based epoxy)
• Outer Shell Finish: 2K UV Stability Spray Finish (keeps the board white longer and prevents yellowing)

Freshwater Performance & Buoyancy
EPS foam performs better in freshwater wave pools due to its higher relative gravity profile, which provides superior buoyancy. EPS/epoxy boards deliver approximately 2–3% more net flotation than PU boards of the same volume in freshwater, where reduced water density affects board lift.

Example estimates (freshwater, same volume):

• 30 L board: EPS +2.2% lift advantage (~0.6 kg)
• 35 L board: EPS +2.2% lift advantage (~0.7 kg)

I-Bolic 2.0 Technology Key Tech

• GR-80 Aerospace I-Beam Stringer: Central beam distributes flex and resists torsion.
• 2.0 lb HD EPS I-Beam Flanges: Enhance stiffness along top and bottom planes.
• 2.0 lb HD Parabolic Rails: Maintain rebound energy and flex control through turns.
• MPP Deck Skin + 1.8 oz Epoxy Fiber Layer: Maximizes bond strength and surface durability.
• 1 x 4 oz Top Deck Lamination / 2 x 4 oz Bottom Deck Lamination: Balanced flex and reinforced structure.
• 2" Engineered Carbon Fiber Inset Tape: Runs along the bottom deck rocker for longitudinal strength and durability.
• Entropy Bio Resin System: Used in all Firewire boards for high strength, durability, and sustainability.
• 2K UV Stability Spray Finish: Keeps the board white for longer and protects from UV degradation.

I-Bolic 2.0 Summary
I-Bolic 2.0 delivers a crisp, responsive feel — fast and energetic underfoot with exceptional control and strength. It combines the lightness of EPS with the precision and power of a structural composite, giving surfers that “connected yet alive” feeling unique to Firewire technologies.