Firewire FRK Swallow Five Fin FUTURES Ibolic (5'6-6'4) White

Kelly Slater has been called a lot of things over the years. Champ. GOAT. The King. And, of course, the Freak.

When Kelly Slater approached Dann Mann about designing him a surfboard, Dann knew exactly what he wanted to make Slater—and what it should be called.

The FRK is medium-wave performance machine with an aesthetically pleasing outline, medium rails, and a rounded pintail that almost gives the surfboard a quasi twin-tip look. In a word, the board looks fast—and if Slater’s performances on it have been any indication, that’s exactly what it is.

The funny thing is, the FRK almost didn’t get ridden. Dann shaped it for Slater in 2015, but Slater gets a lot of boards shaped for him, and the original design ended up sitting in a garage for two years before a friend of Slater’s took it out for a spin.

He had a blast on the surfboard, and called Slater up telling him he needed to try the board out. Slater said he knew it was a winner before he even completed his first ride. He started riding the board a ton, putting together mind-blowing performances at Trestles, J-Bay, the Surf Ranch, and the North Shore.

Featuring a moderate volume and the flexibility of five fin boxes, this is a standard high-performance surfboard with all of the necessary ingredients—and nothing else. Dan Mann’s goal was to distill a surfboard down to the bare essentials, creating a design that is so clean you forget it’s even there.

That sounds like just the sort of surfboard I’d want to ride as winter gives way to spring and we enjoy maybe the most fun season of the year in Hawaii, when smaller north swells and early season souths abound.

Dan Mann's FRK+ is a classic squash tail high-performance shortboard, an enhanced version of the FRK for everyday conditions.

The FRK+ is meant to be ridden slightly shorter than the original FRK round tail. It has all the on-wave benefits of the original FRK with a touch more release through turns that comes from the squash tail and minor adjustments to how the concaves and fin placements relate to the increased surface area of the squash when compared to a round tail.

The feedback on this shape has been that it has a super quick rail-to-rail responsiveness mixed with extremely good drive and release. Most intermediate and above surfers will appreciate the FRK+ for the way it gets out of your way to the point that you don’t even notice it's there - it feels like the most high performance expression of your intentions possible.

Wave Type

An enhanced version of the FRK for everyday waves, the FRK+ is your daily driver. Designed for performance surfing, the FRK+ will work in the smaller stuff but really starts to excel when it hits waist high or bigger. Recommended in 2-6' surf, best in average to epic conditions

Board Features

Updated from the FRK with a squash tail, this model has all the benefits of its predecessor with a touch more release through turns from the squash tail adjustment. The "engine," or back third of the shape, has incredible drive will still providing release, and is super responsive rail-to-rail. Best paired with Kelly's KS1 fin template.

The world of surfing is constantly evolving, with shapers and designers pushing the boundaries of what's possible on a wave. Among these innovators, the collaboration between surfing legend Kelly Slater and master shaper Dan Mann has produced a game-changing board: the Firewire FRK Swallow. This cutting-edge design is redefining agility and performance in smaller waves, offering surfers an unparalleled experience in conditions that were once considered less than ideal.

Understanding the Firewire FRK Swallow Surfboard

The Firewire FRK Swallow surfboard represents a fusion of innovation and craftsmanship. This design stems from a collaboration between surfing icon Kelly Slater and shaper Dan Mann, aiming to create a surfboard that excels in waves of 5 feet and under. Key characteristics of the FRK Swallow include its distinct swallow tail and a volume distribution tailored for dynamic speed and agility.

KEY FEATURES THAT DEFINE THE FRK SWALLOW:

• Swallow Tail Design - The most noticeable feature of the FRK Swallow is its distinctive swallow tail. This design element plays a crucial role in the board's performance, particularly in smaller waves.
• Optimized Volume Distribution - Dan Mann placed a strong emphasis on better distributing the volume directly beneath the surfer's stance. This optimization allows for improved balance and control, enabling surfers to generate speed more efficiently.
• Refined Outline and Rocker Profile - The outline of the FRK Swallow has been carefully updated, with particular attention paid to the back third of the board. This refinement works in harmony with the new rocker curves to enhance performance.
• Innovative Rocker Curves - The board features all-new rocker curves, both along the centerline and on the rails. By perfecting the relationship between these curves, the FRK Swallow excels at creating speed in flat, sticky sections without compromising on-rail performance.

Kelly Slater's extensive surfing experience and insight were crucial in developing the FRK Swallow. His input helped refine the board's performance characteristics, ensuring it meets the demands of high-performance surfing in smaller wave conditions.

PERFORMANCE BENEFITS

SPEED GENERATION

One of the standout qualities of the FRK Swallow is its ability to generate and maintain speed, even in less-than-ideal wave conditions. This characteristic makes it an excellent choice for surfers looking to maximize their performance in smaller waves.

VERSATILITY

While designed primarily for waves 5 feet and under, the FRK Swallow has proven its versatility in a range of conditions. From knee-high waves to overhead surf, this board has demonstrated impressive adaptability.

IMPROVED DOWN CARVES AND FIN RELEASES

Feedback from the Slater Designs team consistently highlights the FRK Swallow's superior feel during down carves and fin releases compared to other shapes in the line. 

FRK

FRK+ 

FRK SWALLOW

Surfboard Shipping

Due to handling requirements, surfboards are shipped with specific protocols and fees.

a. Oahu Store Pickup

HAWAII SURFBOARD SHIPPING RATES

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS:

➤ Hawaiian Air Cargo

(All Size Boards)  - ETA Usually in two days (Boards can be picked up from the Hawaiian Air Cargo Airport from 7AM in the morning, a day after the board has been sent out.)

Hawaiian Air Cargo charges $25 per day if the board is not picked up within 48 hours of arrival at their facility.

CONTINENTAL USA: SURFBOARD SHIPPING