Firewire Spitfire Helium Review: Test Drive Season 2 Episode #1
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- For the first episode of Test Drive (Season 2) in 2017, we kick off the series with a model that Garrett is very familiar from Firewire Surfboards...the Firewire "Spitfire" featured in Firewire's new Helium construction. The Spitfire model is a small wave/groveler with unique features like the step-down tail rail that allows the board to perform in the pocket on those smaller spring/summer days.
Watch Garrett put the Spitfire model to the test in semi-clean, small yet fun conditions. The Helium construction proves to be a great option for one of Firewire's most proven models.
www.sunrisesurfshop.com
I watch a lot of board reviews, you just have a way of telling the viewer all the Qs that most of want to know about how a board works.
Great job, you have a real talent as a communicator. Sunrise is lucky to have you.
Finally a bonafide ripper reviewer!
Damn you were shredding for such tiny waves
Thanks man! This board/construction had a good amount of float and was super fast and zippy on the little waves. Appreciate you watching the reviews! Cheers'
Nice review and good to see the board being surfed (well). I've been riding a 5'6 spitfire for past 4 years. Definitely better as a quad and you hardly notice the 19 3/4 width after a few surfs on it.
I have gotten much more used to mine since this review. The width did throw me off a little in the beginning, but now it feels pretty smooth under my feet. I have heard it goes good as a quad from a few others and now that you have mentioned it as well i am going to try it out set up like that. Thanks for the input, and thanks for watching reviews!! Cheers!
This guy can surf!
Hello , thanks for your video!!
Do you know what are the differences between the Dominator 2 and the Spitfire?
You crushed those little waves on that board! Zippy but controlled. As a mere mortal I'd be pretty happy to keep the board going like that in those conditions for a whole session. How does the Helium tech handle chop, also, do you have an idea of how much more it costs than ordinary PU boards? Cheers.
Thanks man! Appreciate that, it handles a light textured chop fine, as far as full out onshore, choppy chunks, probably not so much. I wouldn't really ride it in anything over chest to shoulder high and if its that small and super choppy i will usually just pass anyways so not an issue. It is similar in price to a lot of the new FW technologies, about $760-$780, definitely a lot lighter and stronger then an ordinary PU for sure. Hope that helps!
Wish I could surf like that in small waves...between the Spitfire and the Evo, which would you recommend for a lower-intermediate surfer? I’m 5ft9 160lbs, current board is a 6ft 33L hybrid. Above average fitness, only 3 years surfing experience. I’m looking for something easy to surf. Thanks!!!
How does it ride on a chest to head wave? And I'm 5'7 160 what size would you recommend for a guy my size? I now ride a 5'10 firewire
Appreciate the videos, far better than most surfboard reviewers on UA-cam. Based on your experience so far, how does the Helium construction stack up against the LFT construction in regards to feel (flex) and durability.
As far as feel and flex i still have to lean towards the LFT construction as feeling the most like a traditional PU board when you are riding it. The helium construction feels great but since i only tried it on the spitfire (a small wave board in my opinion) I don't have a full understanding for the feel yet. It could work better on a narrower, more performance oriented board. I am very, very interested to try a different shape in the Helium , it is definitely a bit more durable and stronger then the LFT construction without a doubt. If you like the FST construction you will LOVE the Helium, if you prefer the LFT over the FST you might want to stick with the LFT construction. Hope that helps and didn't confuse you more, haha! Appreciate you watching the reviews and giving us feedback, cheers!
Sunrise Surf Shop Hey man another great video and very informative on the new tec. What do you think, will they do the sci fi in this new construction to. I am a bit worried out the LFT durability on the sci fi and hope that the new helium is way more durable to damage then the LFT tec on the sci fi just wondering if I should hold out and wait?
Good question? I know that Slaters new 2017 board The Gamma definitely comes in the Helium construction (which is definitely more durable then the LFT) but i do not know about the Sci-Fi?? I will look into that and get back to you. As always thanks for watching reviews!!
Hey if you get a chance could you do a firewire baked potato test drive? Really thinking of getting one and you do THE best surfboard reviews on here.
Thanks Elijah, i really appreciate that. Unfortunately I don't plan on reviewing that one but i have sold tons of those over the years so feel free to let me know any specific questions or concerns you might have related to one. I can definitely help in that sense and its a GREAT board if your looking for something to ride in small waves or if your transitioning from a bigger board down to a smaller one. Thanks for the kind words and for watching reviews!
As you mentioned the jump in litres between the 5'6" and 5'8" is a big one. To give me a better idea of what I would be looking at would you mind sharing your weight and height? It's so wide I'm tending towards a 5'6" and my all round short board is 5'10" at 27litres.
I'm 5'10, 160lbs and i ride shortboard's that are similar in volume to your 5'10's- 27 to 28 liters usually. You definitely want the 5'6 for sure! Hope that helps!
The Spitfire model in helium construction is priced at $770 with futures, $780 with FCS-2. Let us know if you have any other questions!!
no, just the board, for fins, grip etc... we offer 20% off all of that stuff. Fins range from $42-$100, grip is $30-$40 and a leash is around $25 before the 20% discount
My shortboard is 5,10 , 26 litres and i have a 5'8 spitfire.
It has 31 litres and feels like not too much...because of surfing way smaller and weaker waves. So going up in litres on your groveler isn't a bad thing.
Great video as always! Have you had any experience of the new Chumlee in the Helium? I have a sweet potato which I love but wish it had a better range at the top end. Seems like the Chumlee could be a good SP replacement, what do you think?
Yes it would be for sure. The Chum Lee is like an advanced version of the potato series boards, still really wide and full but maneuvers a bit better with the outline it has. We have sold a few already and gotten good feedback on them from our customers. Thanks for watching reviews, we really appreciate it.
What about a super brand fling superflex ?
We don't carry Super brand and i have never ridden one before so unfortunately I am unfamiliar with any of their shapes. Wish i could have been more helpful, as always thanks for the support!
Sweet reviews, Can you do the new Machado Fire Wire Moonbeam ?
you know i was actually thinking about that board the other day, i will be honest, those funky shapes aren't really my cup of tea but i need to do a better job of reviewing a wider range of boards and fin setups so i think the moonbeam could be the board. I will do my best to get it in the rotation soon, thanks for watching reviews and thanks for the suggestion.
I wanted to ask you how is the durability on the spitefrire???? and which model would you recommend it in Helium or FST???? in terms of performance/ durability. Reason being I am now at the point that I feel this may suit me better, seems to be an alrounder for my level to.
Sorry been out of town for a week with no computer! Go with the Helium, it feels lively, springy and is really fast! I prefer that much more then the FST. Let me know what you end up going with and as always if i can help you get anything!
You never really mentioned what you thought about the stepped tail.
The stepped tail works! It feels a lot better in turns then the Dominator model in my opinion. By just thinning out that tail a tiny bit it really gives the board a lot more bite then a lot of shapes that would be similar. It feels snappier during a turn then wide boards like this usually do for me so i liked it overall. Thanks for tuning in and watching!
Hi buddy looing forward to more videos from you hopefully you will upload soon. Was just wondering as i have bin looking for a detailed video on a cretin board that is called the Firewire Pyzel Amigo FST hope you many consider doing a video on this board, as there is not any good videos on this board at all. I am hoping you can give us your opinion on this board. Also just an update i will be going finally to test out the SCI FI on the 14th looking forward to it. Still i am a bit worried about the SCI FI as i did some more looking into it, and it seem that it might not be very durable in the LFT construction and that there is some issues. That is why i have been looking into the Firewire Pyzel Amigo FST apparently is superpose to handled better the then SCI Fi and is much more durable as well what is your input as always would be very helpful to me as to decide which one is better and they the both cost the same kind of.
There have been reports about some of the Sci-Fi's having issues with durability. We sold A LOT of them last year and saw a total of 2 return back to us. As always Firewire replaced the boards and remedied the situation no questions asked. I would not worry about that, but to answer your question yes the FST construction is 100% more durable then the LFT. For me though the flex and feel and how the LFT rides compared to the FST makes that worth the less bit of durability. The LFT's feel really good on a wave, similar flex to a traditional board. I have not ridden the Amigo and don't have any plans on the books to review them. Hoping to have a good tropical season in FL so we can get some more reviews done! As always thanks for watching and keep me posted on how sci-fi goes for you! Cheers
Sunrise Surf Shop thanks for the reply once again you have put my mind to ease. One last question I remember you giving me great advice on the Sci Fi on how to size it for me 6'0 at 39L which seems perfect.As for the Firewire Pyzel Amigo closet to it is 6'2 at 32L or 6'4 at 36L. is the to much of a step down in litres what do you think??????
Also what's the next video you will be doing?? Really interested on what board you will speak about next :) thank you.
I think that could be pushing it on the volume? If that sci-fi is perfect at 39 i wouldn't recommend going down to that 36 liters. Its ok to drop a liter or liter and a half if its a board specifically for good waves but 3 liters will probably not work nearly as good for you. Next board up is the SKX once we get some decent waves around here! Thanks!!
what about heeldents?? helium construction..
the board still gets heel dents. It takes a couple more sessions then a usual poly or an LFT but it still gets a nice heel dent where you plant your foot. hope that helps, thanks for watching!!
Why are using a group of 14 year olds as a thumb nail....... instant de sub.