Firewire LFT Hydronaut surfboard 5ft 11 Futures - White

7 reviews
Although already revered as a beast in barrelling beach-breaks, the long awaited Hydronaut is no one-trick-pony.
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Features

  • Name Firewire LFT Hydronaut surfboard 5ft 11
  • Ability Intermediate/Advanced
  • Volume 28.9 lts
  • Conditions Shoulder high to barrelling behemoths
  • Construction Beefed Up LFT Linear Flex Technology
  • Dimensions 5ft 11 x 18.875 x 2.437
  • Fin System Futures Five Fin
  • Fins included No

Description

The Firewire LFT Hydronaut has been in the pipeline (sorry) for a long, long time and after some rigorous testing and fine tuning has finally landed at the Boardshop warehouse.

This is Daniel "Tomo" Thomson's first proper step-up designed for big powerful waves and barrels. Although already revered as a beast in barrelling beach-breaks, the long awaited Hydronaut is no one-trick-pony. According to the Firewire website the Hydronaut's ideal wave size would be 3 - 6 feet but this sounds a little limiting to us. Sized right this step-up will thrive in sizeable waves, perfect for Bali and the bigger days in the Maldives, right at home in the chunkier barrels of France and Portugal and now having had the opportunity to tuck it under an arm we think the Hydronaut would be fun on those chunky winter days here in the UK and Ireland.

The surfboard's elliptical outline is pleasing on the eye and the rounded 'torpedo' nose significantly reduces the 'swing weight' making for a memorable, faster turning 'big-wave board which can still perform on the open face of a walling wave.

Both Tomo and Stuey Kennedy have surfed the Hydronaut all over the globe, from Blacks and Baja to Hawaii and all over Australia. This pairing has brought Tomo's step-up philosophies to the wider 'Joe public' and are expecting big wave surfing to reach new heights in 2018. Tomo says he is also expecting average surfers to really enjoy the Hydronaut's ability to do the simple things easily; drop in...pull in...spit out...kick out!

The Hydronaut has a 'beefed up' version of the regular Linear Flex Technology (LFT), with a higher density core and slightly (barely really noticeable under the arm) heavier glassing to give it more durability and resistance to snapping in heavier waves.

LFT replaces the Rapidfire internal carbon rods with an 18mm wide composite Springer HD Suspension System that runs from nose to tail and includes a top-deck sheet to improve compression resistance. This high density insert creates additional strength through the centre with increased flex through the tail. The EPS top sheet buffer above the HD Springer allows for some compression but without the raised ridge and cracking that can occur with traditional wooden stringer surfboards. LFT delivers plenty of 'TWANG' in and out of your turns and creates the fast-twitch flex response that gives the surfer the feedback and return desired. LFT at last brings the perfect blend of a brand-new traditional PU 'board feel' with the added durability of modern sandwich construction.

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4.85 out of 5 stars
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Jose Manuel
Verified buyer
Hydronaut 6.0 Second Part
The only thing I can say about this surfboard is WONDERFUL. I had one exactly the same and it is the board for the winter, impressive when the waves get big. I'm used to small boards (Seaside 5.3- Cymatic 5.5) and I didn't want a very big board for powerful waves and the Hydronaut is perfect. From the Canary Islands I want to thank Boardshop for the attention and service. Thank you very much and the good begins.
Clemens
Verified buyer
Awesome board for big barrels and down the line surfing
A couple of years ago I ordered the 6'2" Hydronaut. Actually I wanted to retire my trusty 6'6" Al Merrick step up and try something new. I´m 180 cm, 75kg and usually like 29L in a performance SB and around 31L in a groveler. I travel a lot to places like Indo, South Africa, Ireland, Australia for high quality waves.

The board is really easy to paddle into bigger surf, stable at the take off and immediately speeds down the line. The short nose helps to make steep, late and critical takeoffs relatively easy. It's a crazy fast board with a lot of control to hold the line. However the 6'2" for me feels a little too tight, almost like on train track and I will size down to a 6' to gain a looser feeling. I'm convinced the 6' will still be more than enough to surf up to 3x overhead but will be a lot more fun in smaller barreling surf.

The LFT construction feels absolutely perfect and the board has enough weight to takeoff in strong offshore and also handles chop well.

I highly recommend this board to everyone who enjoys surfing in 2x-3x overhead surf or fast barreling waves. Great step-up for an Indotrip or for big winter swells in Europe.

Boardshopuk was like always a dream to order and the customer service was top notch.
Olivier
Verified buyer
Great Board
Great board, such a good feeling, lot of speed.
Great service at the end of the day, I definitely recommend the board and the shop!
Vasco
Verified buyer
Perfect
The board is perfect for down the line surf. It’s probably the fastest board on 5 to 6 feet surf I have ever tried.
Very stable even with lots of moving water.
The buying and shipping was perfect.
Thanks
Bobby
Verified buyer
Firewire Hydronaut 6.0
I have tested the board in a variety of conditions now. I've been thinking of replacing my step up for a while now and this seemed perfect as it's difficult to transport really long boards. According to Tomo's videos on the boards its seemed the 6'0 would be the equivalent of a 6'6 which would suit what I need it for 6-10ft (double to triple overhead) surf. I tested it out at home first of all in 5ft surf and about 20k's offshore, usually in 5ft I'd take my helium Gamma but it doesn't go when the wind is above 15ks. the Hydronaut with the added weight performed much better. It was still difficult to tell what the board was like due to the wind but I seemed to be catching waves easier than other people around me.It felt beautiful on my backhand but a little slow moving on my forehand. I tested it extensively in the Philippines the past 2 months, we had some solid typhoon swells at Cloud 9 and sounding area. My first surf was in 8ft Cloud 9 it was pretty hairy only 2 other shortboarders in and a load of pro bodyboarders. I set the board up as a quad. First wave was pretty mutant and went for it, easy paddle in which gave me a moment more to get onto my feet, hell drop but stuck it due to the stability of the board, the fastest board I've ever been on.It's very easy to surf. I had a fun session and made a lot of waves I don't think I would have on my HPSB. I didn't really like it as a quad, cloud 9 there are a few sections you can hit and found it much more difficult to turn compared to a thruster. I'd set it up as a quad just for big fast barrels.
The next surf was 6ft with the odd 8ft freak set at Stimpies pretty crowed and clean, most people were surfing there HPSB or Hyptocryptos etc, watching other chaps they were really struggling to get onto the waves and having to take incredibly late takeoffs lots getting worked, the opposite was my case easy catching and more time again to get to my feet, a couple of times I took off very deep and late and got dropped in on. The board is so fast it would surprise the offender and i'd fly past them. Having discussions with the offender afterwards they either said they didn't see me or thought I was way too deep. The board was perfect for these 2 conditions and wouldn't have wanted to be on anything else. Towards the end of my trip I damaged my Gamma and I just had the Hydronaut to surf, I surfed it a few 3ft days it goes and you can do the moves on it but feels super slow and unresponsive compared to the Gamma (around 2L difference in volume) even with some medium fins on it. If you're into cruising maybe surfing it in smaller waves is for you but for me I'd leave it as a step up for 6ft+. I'm 5'11 and 78kg debated the size for quite some time and think I got it right for the 6-10 range if I had gone any bigger the turning would have been even more limited which I don't think I would have enjoyed. More wave size than that you'd defiantly need a much bigger one for extra paddle speed. Also its super easy to travel with due to the reduced length and is much more solid than normal LFT. Epic Boardshop service as usual.
Fred
Verified buyer
Holy Grail of Step Ups
Just finished testing this board in a big mutant swell in the Maldives. A double overhead 20 second period swell with really strong winds hence some chop! The board feels like a bob sleigh with a motor. Its so stable and balanced, cuts through the chop nicely and it is incredibly fast!!!! You take off a little deep and see the first section cresting and suddenly you’ve flown past it at mach 10. This board gives you so much confidence in the water because of all these qualities. Its an easy board to ride as well, you can turn it easily, pump and accelerate.

I’ve had a couple step ups that were all disappointing. This board is so far ahead in terms of design youn can’t even compare. Actually beyond being a step up I could imagine myself buying a shorter version for those perfect days on big pointbreaks or nice hollow waves. I am 1m80 for 85kg and got a 6’6. Of course the boardshop service is outstanding as usual.
Hendrik
Verified buyer
Look and feels epic - now we need some swell
Just recieved the board and took it for a quick paddle. It gives me confidence to paddle out on a bigger day here in Ericeira.
I had a Monsta 8 previously as a step up and never got warm with it. I am hooked on Tomo,

5 stars for the epic service of the BS crew. thanks

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