Well, fear not, because us friendly chaps at Down the Line Surf Co. Hayle, Cornwall, have a range of new Firewire Surfbaords available for you to take for a spin to check them out for yourself!

Absolutely free, and with no obligation whatsoever, all you need to do is swing by the shop, mention that you’ve seen this blog and you wanna take one of the little beauties out for day. We’ll take your phone number and bank card details, and you get to walk out the door with Mini Driver under your arm. Our demos are on a 24hour basis so you can keep her for the night if you want, (remember, no tongues.)

Check out the line up of all available boards for demo here….

5’10 Potatonator

As the name implies, the POTATO-NATOR is the result of gene-splicing the SWEET POTATO and the DOMINATOR. With a longer rail line and less girth than the POTATO, and a slightly pulled in nose similar to the DOMINATOR, the POTATO-NATOR is meant to be ridden 4″-6″ longer than a POTATO, and approx. 2″ shorter than the DM.

The double concaves are softer than the SWEET POTATO and while the overall rocker has been increased slightly to enhanced performance, the low entry rocker remains which makes paddling a breeze. Designed primarily for 2′-4′ surf, the POTATO-NATOR will hold its own in 3′-5′ as well. Fin placement is optimized to be ridden as a quad, but don’t be afraid to throw in a small, knubby trailer fin to help this hybrid 4-finner come alive in new ways. Splice and dice it up!

6’2 FST and 6’0″ Rapidfire Spitfire

The Spitfire was the brainchild of Firewire’s Marketing Director and former top pro surfer Chuy Reyna. He liked Firewire’s Dominator but wanted a bit more drive … The Spitfire combines a Diamond tail and step-down tail rail to give the tail bite of a thinner board, without losing the Dominator’s speed and flotation. The Spitfire also offers the same 5/4/3 fin options and and low entry rocker for easy paddling.

5’08 Vanguard

Don’t be put off by it’s quirky looks – this is a highly functional surfboard that lends itself to rail surfing and tricks in a wide range of conditions.

In the words of Firewire, “higher degrees of speed, electric wave attack and radical aerial potential are all possible with this highly tuned machine.”

5’03″ Baked potato in White Rapid Fire

The Baked Potato has a few subtle design changes from the Sweet Potato, yet still offering the same excellent small wave performance. Pulling the nose in slightly and losing some volume in the rails has allowed for even faster rail to rail transition.

5’10″ Firewire Lost Mini Driver

Arguably one of the most versatile boards in the Firewire range.Starting with the Driver, they lowered the nose rocker and placed the outline further forward, both of these changes created extra drive. Throw in a rounded tail for control and add a little extra width 12″ up from the tail to create a clean elliptical outline which allows this board to move freely on the face and also inside the barrel. This board will amaze you in small, everyday surf, but still hold its own when a decent winter groundswell hits.

5’08 Jacknife

As of Spring 2013 the JacKnife is Firewire’s newest high performance hybrid. It has a slightly fuller nose and a fairly wide wing swallow which results in an “effective rail” line that allows length through turns when you need it, and shorter, snappier turns when you release between arcs. Couple this with a contemporary foil and rocker for vertical in the pocket and rail sensitive ripping, and the un-weighting ease for longer airtime, and you’ll love the versatility.

Flexflight 9’0 Longboard

FLEXFLIGHT’S are true high-performance longboards, incorporating the increased dampening and squirt through turns as a result of CROSSFIRE Technology’s flex characteristics; which eliminate the chatter of a longer board while increasing overall speed, never mind the 30% weight saving and increased strength over regular “PU”.

So, what are you waiting for? The sun’s out and it’s pumping on the coast. Give us a call on 01736757025 and come down the shop to grab a board and have a whirl. you never know, it could give your surfing a completely new lease of life!

The post Firewire Surfboards available for demo in Cornwall appeared first on Down the Line Surf Ltd Blog.

As one of the first surfboard brands to introduce volume into the debate around surfboard design, Firewire has now taken it to the next level.

“In the recent past, there was not that much difference between most of the shortboards ridden”, said Firewire CEO Mark Price, “and if you asked most surfers they would probably refer to the length and fin configuration and just say that ‘I ride a 6’2” thruster’ for example. With the wide range of shapes now being offered, volume is a far more precise determinant of which board suits a particular surfer than length is, and the mobile Volume Calculator puts that information at your fingertips at any time”.

Working with Benjamin Thompson, the brains behind Boardformula.com, Firewire co-developed the Volume Calculator, a tool that takes into consideration a surfers age, weight, fitness level and surfing skills, and through complex algorithms, determines the optimum range of volumes for that person.

“To say that volume has been revolutionary in terms of how we talk about board design and shape would be an understatement”, continued Price, “and that has lead directly to better informed and satisfied surfers”.

“Firewire believes that minor refinements to the shape of today’s modern surfboards can only produce incremental performance benefits. Exponential improvements in performance require the ongoing development of new materials, construction methods and radical shape, which, in turn, will fuel new design success. In addition, with the increased eco-consciousness of today’s consumer, Firewire is constantly refining our raw materials to decrease the environmental impact of our boards. Currently our surfboards emit only 2% of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that conventional polyurethane boards do throughout their lifespan.”

Just bear in mind…

Although the introduction of volume to the list of surfboard measurements has been highly useful, it’s not the be all and end all. There are factors which will effect how well a particular mass floats you. For example rocker and concave can create extra lift and make a board float better without changing the overall volume. You also need to consider how and where you’ll be surfing; If you want to take things easy and/or you’ll be wearing a lot of neoprene, then you’d want to go right to the top of Firewire’s suggested literage, perhaps even a bit above.

Check out our recent YouTube interview with Bob McTavish for an interesting angle on using volume as a guide when buying a surfboard…

Buying a Longboard with Bob McTavish

The post Firewire Mobile Volume Calculator appeared first on Down the Line Surf Ltd Blog.

“The big south swell arrives at Easter Island and Kohl Christensen paddles out into “triple black diamond” surf. Final episode in the three-part series.”

http://vimeo.com/60870072

The post Diamante Negro – Part 3 of 3 appeared first on Down the Line Surf Ltd Blog.

The Game – ridden by Gabriel Medina has just hit the cornish shores

Gabriel Medina flying high on the G Spot

Pukas’ official shaper Johnny Cabianca designed and shaped “The Game” to be your new favourite beachbreak board. With a flatter, wider rocker and extra volume, “The Game” features a classic single to double concave with a V ending which makes this fast yet a super manoeuvrable performance shortboard.

The ASP 6-star San Miguel Pro Zarautz made “The GAME” worldwide famous thanks to Gabriel Medina who blasted his way to a huge win on this board in what was touted as the best event of the ASP 2011.

This is the board you will turn to when the surf’s really small, with a bonus that when the swell picks up to overhead you’ll find it really responsive and heaps of fun. “The Game” was first tested at a beachbreak near Ericeira, Portugal in small sloppy (typical beachbreak) conditions by Gabriel Medina. When asked how the board went, his response was simply “the board flies!”

We recommend using small to medium sized fins with this board, and ride it 4 inches shorter than your standard surfboard and a little extra volume (approx 15% extra litreage).

To find out more about these boards and to order one today, click here Pukas Surfboards

The post Pukas Surfboards G Spot and The Game at Down the Line Surf Co. appeared first on Down the Line Surf Ltd Blog.

Part 3 will be shown next week

The post Diamante Negro Part 2 – Patagonia appeared first on Down the Line Surf Ltd Blog.

Kohl Christensen tells of a spontaneous decision at an airport that put him in a different place and on a whole different vibe then what was initially intended.

Diamante Negro / Black Diamond Part 1 of 3.

The post Kohl Christensen takes Easter Island over Tahiti appeared first on Down the Line Surf Ltd Blog.

The post One for the team.. appeared first on Down the Line Surf Ltd Blog.

Weighing in at 2.6 ounces the Hero3 is 25% lighter and 30% smaller than previous models, whilst the video performance offers 2X the resolution and 2X the frame rate of the Hero2. As far as photo performance goes, burst capture is actually 3X improvement, with the ability to shoot 30 frames per second at 12MP with twice as good low light performance compared to previous models. Still photo and Time Lapse photo capability remains the same, but you are now able to capture continuous  12MP stills at either 3,5 or 10 photos per second rate.

Here’s a few shots that users have submitted using the GoPro3

Domen Mogel using his helmet mount and GoPro3

A magnificent Whale Shark in Mexico

Kelly Slater joins the team at GoPro

Black Water Kayaking at Poudre Canyon, Colorado

A Hardcore Labradoodle hitting the water with a GoPro 3

Austrian Powder Session

What’s more, there’s a neat little App available on free download which enables you to communicate and fully control your GoPro3 from your tablet or smart phone. How cool is that!!

Here’s the camera in its waterproof housing, which comes with the GoPro Hero 3 Black edition – Surf

GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition – Surf

The Black Edition – Surf comes complete with:-

• HERO3: Black Edition Camera
• 197’/ 60m Waterproof Housing
• Wi-Fi Remote + Key Ring
• Remote Charging Cable
• Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
• QR Buckle
• J-Hook Buckle
• 3-Way Pivot
• Surfboard Mount

Check this short film, shot entirely using the GoPro 3

For more information, and to get your hands on this incredible piece of kit, click here:- GoPro3

The post GoPro Hero 3: Black Edition – Surf appeared first on Down the Line Surf Ltd Blog.

Buy the Vanguard today!

The post Firewire Vanguard appeared first on Down the Line Surf Ltd Blog.

V.Bowls by Ryan Lovelace – Surf Craft

Pretty little thing isn’t she? Here’s what he has to say about his creation:-

“This is the board that is leading my focus in surfboard design for the past year. It takes everything that I’ve learned from my years shaping and riding displacement hulls and transfers those feelings of slingshot bottom turns and top speed trim into a package that turns with confidence off the back foot and tackles small waves with pleasure.

The post Ryan Lovelace Surfcraft boards appeared first on Down the Line Surf Ltd Blog.