This is the surfboard version of the Swiss Army Knife. Firewire have done it once again. Combining the minds of Rob Machado and Dan Mann was always going to create an incredible surfboard but the Firewire Mash Up has exceeded our already high expectations.

The Mash Up catches your eye immediately, the shallow swallow tail which is not seen on many boards nowadays, the wide point almost in the centre of the board and then the near parallel the rail line, you are instantly intrigued. You can see how heavily influenced parts of the boards are based on the two designer’s minds. The Spitfire was the board Dan Mann chose to base the Mash Up on, whereas the Machado influence comes from the rocker and subtle concave of the insanely successful Seaside model. Breaking the board down, the outline and shape of the front two thirds of the board is very close to the Spitfire profile, with a touch less rocker to aid paddling and help carry speed. The tail is a more Seaside, thinned out but not as much as the Seaside and a slightly shallower V in the swallow that will feel more like a squash tail with even more release. In the tail you find a very pronounced double concave running all the way through the fins to give you speed generation and drive and aid with release. The volume in concentrated through the centre of the board giving an almost domed feel, the thickness drops away down to the rail to ensure you get a responsive surf but still retain the ability to use the board in less than perfect conditions.

The Mash Up looks to be a great Hybrid board that will generate speed and grovel in the weaker mush without being limited in bigger 4-6ft surf! A versatile, grab and go board. The Spitfire was amazing to surf, but you wanted more small wave capabilities, the Seaside has been an all-time best seller, but you want more versatility and performance at the lower end of the wave scale, the Mash Up gives you the best of both worlds.

The 5-fin set up on the Firewire Mash Up adds even more options on how to surf this genius little surfboard. Whack an upright quad set up in the board for speed, drive and release in the smaller waves, then as the surf picks up, change out the fins to a balanced thruster set to give the board more control and hold in stronger waves.

Firewire’s Helium tech is all about making an already amazing set of construction options even better. Its lighter, seems strong, no signs of any pressure marks at all, and very fast. High Density Aerospace Composite Deck Skins and a new Paulownia/Balsa mix on the rails gives a faster flex response. Having surfed the tech in a couple of different models it does feel light but the speed through a stiffer feel and responsiveness is exceptional, Helium is here to stay.

We're happy to consider trading in your old board against a new Firewire, so If you have any questions about this we'd be delighted to answer them and advise on any potential board choices or enquiries you might have, just drop us an email to [email protected] or call us on 0044 (0) 1243 674250. And don't forget we offer interest free finance on all new premium surfboards.