How it surfs
In independent reviews, the Sci-Fi 2.0 is consistently praised for pocket surfing and rail-to-rail response — the narrower tail and increased rocker are the source of both. The trade-off is that paddling and small-wave down-the-line speed rate lower than the OG Sci-Fi in the same testing.
Compared with the Firewire Mashup or Channel Islands Happy Everyday, the Sci-Fi 2.0 is more of a specialist: it shines in the 2–6 ft window and rewards a stronger back foot. If you want one board to cover every day of the year, the Mashup or Happy Everyday are safer picks; if you want a small-wave weapon that still holds up when the surf jumps, the Sci-Fi 2.0 is designed for exactly that.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'4" | 25.4 L | 55–65 kg / 121–143 lb | Intermediate+ |
| 5'6" | 27.2 L | 65–72 kg / 143–159 lb | Intermediate+ |
| 5'7" | 28.9 L | 70–78 kg / 154–172 lb | Intermediate+ |
| 5'8" | 30.4 L | 75–83 kg / 165–183 lb | Intermediate+ |
| 5'9" | 32.1 L | 80–88 kg / 176–194 lb | Intermediate+ |
| 5'10" | 33.7 L | 85–95 kg / 187–209 lb | Intermediate+ |
| 6'0" | 36.9 L | 90–100 kg / 198–220 lb | Intermediate+ |
How it compares
| Board | Best at | Wave range | Aggregate score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firewire Sci-Fi 2.0 | Small-wave specialist with range | Waist to head-and-a-half | 7.8 |
| Firewire Mashup | Everyday hybrid — easier for most riders | Knee to head-high | 8.9 |
| Channel Islands Happy Everyday | One-board quiver | Ankle to overhead | 7.8 |
| Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto | Do-it-all hybrid classic | Waist to overhead | 9.3 |
Recommended fin setups
- FCS II Performer (Medium) — Neutral all-round thruster — the default recommendation.
- FCS II Accelerator (Medium) — Adds drive and hold once the surf gets over head-high.
- Futures Rasta Quad — Best small-wave quad setup — free and fast down the line.
Verdict
The Sci-Fi 2.0 is the small-wave specialist Firewire wanted: narrower tail, more exit rocker and one inch shorter than the original Sci-Fi push it deeper into the pocket and stretch its usable range up to head-and-a-half. Paddling and pure down-the-line speed rate a touch lower than the OG, so if it is knee-to-waist most days the original is still the pick — but for a modern high-performance groveler that holds up when the surf jumps, this is one of the sharpest designs on the market.