Slater Designs FRK+ I-Bolic Volcanic Surfboard

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 Plus for the way this shape 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.

“Funny enough, of all the hand shapes, I get that turn into models, I tend to have boards that work better for me out of the factory; just ones that anyone can buy. Instead of a standard stringer from wood, I-Bolic uses an I-beam and high density foam on the rails. We also have a deck skin that basically stops you from putting big pressure dings in your deck. These boards last forever. I never squish the decks when I have one of these I-Bolic shapes out of the factory.” —Kelly Slater

Designed by Dan Mann, Kelly Slater’s iconic FRK round tail is at surf shops and online stores everywhere newly built in I-Bolic Technology, alongside Kelly and Dan’s all new FRK +, an update to the original FRK shape featuring a newly designed squash tail, fuller rail and moderate rocker changes to create a more versatile shape across all waves and skill types.

“One board is not better than the other, they're really two different things for two different situations - the FRK+ will suit more skill levels and more wave types, so if you're torn, go with that one. The original FRK shape is more dialed for powerful, round waves, and surfers of a slightly higher skill level. The original FRK is really a finely tuned high performance vessel that Kelly can rely on whenever he needs to in a competitive situation or when the waves are perfect, round, punchy.... The FRK+ is really just enhanced in terms of its versatility. It's suited well for a lot of different wave types and it will work in most any wave you put it in if you want to rip, or progress your surfing.” —Dan Mann

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.

I-Bolic Core Technology

The Firewire patent pending I-Bolic core technology is an engineering feat developed for performance, without the need for external carbon layups or heavy laminations. These models offer the stiffness of Linear Flex Technology (LFT) with the flex and spring-back of their best-selling Helium technology. This is Kelly Slater's favorite technology to ride, offering speed, control, strength and response.

I-Bolic Performance
I-Bolic cores have the stiffness of the Firewire old Linear Flex Technology (LFT) with the flex and spring-back of their best-selling Helium technology. The I-beam ensures firmness underfoot and unparalleled break strength, while the high density foam parabolic rails enable flex and recoil through turns.

I-Bolic Construction
The Firewire I-Bolic technology is a 1.5 lb EPS foam core with a 18mm high density foam stringer in the core, 16mm high density foam parabolic rails to control flex, and a 5mm high density foam springer on the bottom. Paired with their standard fiberglass lamination, on the deck it has a 3mm high density composite deck skin on the deck sandwiched between the double 4 oz E fiberglass cloth layers, and also has double 4 oz E fiberglass capping the bottom.

Volcanic Lamination Technology

Volcanic lamination technology is made from basalt, a natural element that comes from volcanic rocks. These volcanic rocks are crushed, melted down and then extruded into woven fibers that make up the basalt cloth Firewire uses in this lamination technology. This process requires the basalt rock to get to about 1,500 degrees Celsius (2,730 degrees Fahrenheit.)

The cloth has the same functional characteristics to carbon, making it a sustainable alternative to carbon, which is very bad for the environment. While basalt fiber has been around for decades, it's relatively new to fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) and structural composites used for surfboard manufacturing. It has a similar chemical composition to glass fiber, but better strength characteristics.

Volcanic Performance
Firewire's most durable construction with elevated response. This sustainable alternative to carbon is stronger than carbon and can also withstand higher temperatures than carbon, making it a top choice for the aerospace industry in the manufacturing of rockets and jet engines. It also has higher elasticity than traditional carbon, allowing the board to have more flex for a natural feel underfoot.

Volcanic Construction
The Firewire Volcanic lamination schedule is double 4 oz basalt cloth on the deck, and single 4 oz basalt cloth on the bottom.

Volcanic Core Compatibility
Volcanic lamination is paired with either I-Bolic cores or Helium cores.