"We believe that refinements to the shape of today's modern surfboard can only produce incremental performance benefits"

"Exponential improvements in performance can only be achieved through new materials and construction methods which in turn will open up new design opportunities"

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1. •  
     CommentAuthormarkp
   • CommentTimeDec 15th 2009 edited

    
   We were stoked to see Taj and Kelly in the finals, both of whom were riding boards engineered to flex. It looks like Kelly was focusing on tail flex specifically with the inset stringers and carbon deck insert both ending in front of the fins, while Taj’s Firewire takes a more holistic approach with flex engineered throughout the board, utilizing technology we introduced to the market almost 4 years ago.
   
   During that time period, Taj’s results at the highest levels of completion have proven the merits of our technology. Never mind all the testimonials from every day surfers.
   
   We hope that Channel Islands will follow Kelly’s initiative and commercialize that design, or something similar to it. There is no question in our minds that the future of surfboard performance requires controlled flex. If CI, as the current #1 high performance surfboard company embraces that notion, it will be incredibly gratifying for Firewire and even more importantly, it will help the entire surfboard industry move past the performance roadblock of the center stringer, inflexible surfboard.
   
   Just a thought............
2. • CommentAuthordonniedarko
   • CommentTimeDec 15th 2009

    
   agreed.
3. • CommentAuthorFW - Fan
   • CommentTimeDec 15th 2009

    
   Couldnt agree more Mark. I will never forget when I worked out the whole flex thing.....it took me a couple of surfs but I miss it now if I am on a board that doesnt flex. Anyway, one question, without wanting to take away from Taj or Firewire. When Pipe was pumping in the 8-10ft range, what was Taj riding? It didnt look like a standard FW to me?
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4. •  
     CommentAuthormarkp
   • CommentTimeDec 15th 2009

    
   He was riding an old Glen Pang 608. His Firewire 608 had a cracked tail and he did not have a back up in that size. In fact, heading into the season when we asked him if he needed boards for this winter he said no as last years boards went unreal and were still in great shape. I guarantee there was no other surfer in the top 10 who did not order an entire quiver of boards for this winter.
   
   However, going into 2010 we're going to make sure he has at least one back up board in every size.
5. • CommentAuthorhisurf
   • CommentTimeDec 15th 2009

    
   Stoked with the quick and honest answer on the Glen Pang and the background info on his quiver. Looking forward to eventually getting and trying a step up size... the 6'10" Flexfire is on the short list, but only after a 6'1" Firefly, and then a 6'4" Alternator....
   
   Congratulations Taj and the Firewire family!
6. • CommentAuthorFW - Fan
   • CommentTimeDec 15th 2009

    
   Agree, althogh I didnt expect anything other than an honest answer from Mark. Taj looked a bit jumpy at first, who wouldnt be against Kelly but he had him smoked after the second wave I think. He just lifted. I must say, good on Kelly for not going back to old faithful for a Pipe final, pretty gutsy to keep riding the quad, but I love that board and have a couple like it but round tails, parabolic stringer, epoxy but without the concave deck and carbon. Its an exciting time for surfing and equipment in my view.
7. • CommentAuthorrj
   • CommentTimeDec 17th 2009

    
   Agree with you FW Fan about it being an exciting time for surfing and moreso equipment. I can remember the time Taj won the Bells contest a few years back, sitting beside Nev and seeing him soooo stoked about it being the first time ever an epoxy board had competed in and won a final. Nev's not a pretty guy but you got to take the hat off to him and all the other guys who believed in FW so many years back.
   Stoked!!!
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8. •  
     CommentAuthornev
   • CommentTimeDec 17th 2009

    
   Who say's I'm not perdy...I am only doing this for the chicks. They don't call me Tiger for nuthin'
9. • CommentAuthorUNCLE FROST
   • CommentTimeDec 17th 2009

    
   CONGRATS TO TAJ AND FW FROM ALL FW FANS IN NORWAY!
   this kinda silenced all the stupid rumours about taj riding "something else" and that the boards snap like toothpics.
   big up to the whole team.
   i immedeately got a case of beer and im still smiling.
10. •  
      CommentAuthorcorepersonaltraining
    • CommentTimeDec 18th 2009

     
    only a golf nut could bring the tiger woods debarcle into a board design forum!!! on ya nev!!!!!
    and rj, i think nev is cute as a button!!!
    
    oh nev..the 6'4 went NUTS at 4-5 foot avoca point yesterday..waves allowed me to throw full weight and strength into loading the flex...and then the release...oh the release..................
    see ya
    dave
    p.s. firewire has put a fox in the henhouse without doubt...CI etc are tweaking, but so are the smaller guys like those using "fibre-flex" etc
11. •  
      CommentAuthorOx
    • CommentTimeDec 18th 2009

     
    Diggin' the new Taj winning Pipe Masters layout. You should have put the picture of him bustin' air during the Pipe final!?! Taj + Firewire = 2010 ASP Champion!