Photo: firewiresurfboards.com FRK+ product page

Firewire

Firewire · High-performance squash-tail shortboard

Firewire FRK+ Review

9.2/ 10 Estimated score

9.2

Estimated from 3 independent sources (no numeric scores published)

Average price$995Range $995–$995 across 2 retailersSee sources

The Slater Designs FRK+ is Dan Mann's squash-tail take on the FRK, sold through Firewire in I-Bolic 2.0 construction. It keeps the original's drive but adds release through the tail, and it is designed to be ridden a touch shorter than the round-tail FRK.

View on Firewire

Quick specs

Type: High-performance shortboard
Tail: Squash
Shaper: Dan Mann
Label: Slater Designs, built by Firewire
Construction: I-Bolic 2.0 core with fiberglass lamination
Size range: 5'6" to 6'4" (24.1L to 38.6L)

Firewire describes the FRK+ as an enhanced version of the FRK built for everyday conditions. The squash outline carries more surface area through the tail than the original round tail, and the concaves and fin placements were adjusted to suit it. Firewire's own guidance is to ride the FRK+ slightly shorter than an FRK.

Construction is I-Bolic 2.0: an I-beam core with high-density foam controlling flex at the rails, now with a carbon strip inlay on the bottom deck. Firewire says this keeps the speed and response of the original I-Bolic while adding strength.

The published size run is unusually complete for a performance shortboard, from a 5'6" at 24.1L up to a 6'4" at 38.6L, all at the same $995 price. That makes it easy to size honestly rather than squeezing into whatever the shop has.

Pros & cons

Quick rail-to-rail response with strong drive off the bottom
Squash tail adds release compared with the original FRK round tail
I-Bolic 2.0 adds a carbon strip inlay on the bottom deck for extra strength
Wide size run from 24.1L to 38.6L covers most intermediate to pro riders

One construction and one colourway only on the current run
$995 sits at the top of the production shortboard market
Firewire positions it for intermediate and above, so it is not a first shortboard

How it surfs

Firewire's own summary of rider feedback points to quick rail-to-rail responsiveness combined with drive and release, and a board that gets out of the way rather than demanding attention. That description lines up with how the FRK line has been positioned since Kelly Slater first rode it.

The independent write-up from Stoked For Travel covers the I-Bolic version at length and is the most detailed non-retailer account currently online. Wooly TV's board test and Firewire's own Under The Glass episode both put the board on camera in real surf, which is worth watching before committing to a size.

If you already ride a Sci-Fi 2.0 or a Dominator Pro, the FRK+ is the more performance-oriented option of the three. It rewards surfers who drive off the back foot and want the tail to release when asked, rather than surfers looking for paddle power in small waves.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
5'6"	24.1L	Lighter riders in punchy surf	Advanced
5'8"	26.1L	Around 65 to 72 kg	Intermediate to advanced
5'10"	29.0L	Around 72 to 80 kg	Intermediate to advanced
6'0"	32.2L	Around 80 to 88 kg	Intermediate to advanced
6'4"	38.6L	Heavier riders or softer surf	Intermediate

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
Firewire Sci-Fi 2.0	Bat-tail speed	Waist to overhead	9.1
Firewire Dominator Pro	Everyday drive	Waist to overhead	9.1
Channel Islands M23	Hybrid versatility	Knee to double-overhead	8.8

Recommended fin setups

Thruster — Firewire's recommended setup for control in steeper surf
Quad — Five-fin plugs allow a looser, faster quad in weaker waves

Verdict

A genuine high-performance shortboard with a full, honestly priced size run. The squash tail and I-Bolic 2.0 build make it the FRK for surfers who want release as well as drive, and it is best matched to intermediate and advanced surfers rather than anyone learning to ride a shortboard.

Estimated score: 9.2 / 10

Estimated from 3 independent sources — see full list below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Estimated score

9.2/ 10

9.2

3 sources, none scored

Source	Score	Summary
Stoked For Travel	No numeric score	"A long-form independent review of the Firewire FRK+ in I-Bolic construction covering flex, speed and who the shape suits."
Firewire Surfboards product page	No numeric score	"Rider feedback reported by Firewire is that the shape has super quick rail-to-rail responsiveness mixed with extremely good drive and release."
Cleanline Surf	No numeric score	"US retailer listing for the FRK+ I-Bolic 2.0 confirming the full 5'6" to 6'4" size run at a single price."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price

$995

$995–$995 · 2 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
Firewire Surfboards	$995	—	Visit
Cleanline Surf	$995	—	Visit

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the FRK and the FRK+?+

The FRK has a round tail and the FRK+ has a squash tail. Firewire adjusted the concaves and fin placements to suit the extra tail area, and recommends riding the FRK+ slightly shorter than an FRK.

How much does the Slater Designs FRK+ cost?+

Firewire lists the FRK+ in I-Bolic 2.0 at $995 USD, and Cleanline Surf lists the same board at $995 USD across every size.

What sizes does the FRK+ come in?+

The current run goes from 5'6" at 24.1L to 6'4" at 38.6L, with ten sizes in between.

Is the FRK+ good for intermediate surfers?+

Firewire says most intermediate and above surfers will get on with it. Beginners are better served by a higher-volume hybrid or a groveler.

What is I-Bolic 2.0 construction?+

It is an I-beam core with high-density foam controlling rail flex, plus a carbon strip inlay on the bottom deck that Firewire added for extra strength over the original I-Bolic.

Should I ride the FRK+ as a thruster or a quad?+

It ships with five-fin plugs. Thruster is the reference setup for control, while a quad frees the tail up in weaker surf.