Firewire Helium Sweet Potato Surfboard Review
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- Опубліковано 16 бер 2022
- Ian reviews the Firewire Helium Sweet Potato: www.boardshop.co.uk/brands/fi...
Who remembers the total craziness of the original Sweet Potato, about a million litres all crammed into a 5' 4" surfboard! Still remember how much we laughed when we first saw it, but you know what it worked! Dan Mann's updated version has landed, we present you the all new Firewire Sweet Potato in the excellent Helium construction.
This new version keeps the DNA of the original - heaps of volume in small sizes but it also incorporates some different features. The big round tail has gone and is replaced with a pulled in swallow to give more control, the bottom shape is altered as well to give the board a much more responsive feel. The key feature though is the crazy double barrel concave, this generates plenty of lift and therefore speed which is what makes this board so brilliant. Essentially the new Sweet Potato replaces your longboard if that's what you choose to ride in smaller gutless waves.
If you are looking for a groveler, or just a board to deal with weaker waves in the knee to shoulder high range the Sweet Potato has you covered, epic paddling, early wave entry, bags of speed and glide and you can also get it on a rail, what's not to like? This board can work for all and any skill level, if you're at the lower end go bigger and it'll give you hours of fun, if a better surfer then obviously go smaller, its a board for everyone.
Super happy that Firewire opted to make this board in the Helium tech, Helium tech is all about making an already amazing set of construction options even better. Its lighter, more durable than regular PU boards and thus far is proving a way more robust than Firewire's LFT construction. 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.
Firewire surfboards are more durable than other surfboard manufacturing processes, and for 90% of surfers they will improve your surfing. Firewire is pushing the limits of applying new technology and innovation to surfboard design and always has an eye on the environmental impact of what they do, they truly are different to the other board companies out there. Firewire have come a long way since the early boards and the range of shapes and tech just gets better and better. A big chunk of the boards in the range are perfectly suited to the waves that 90% of us surf on a regular basis so if you haven't already give them a try.
The staff here have surfed pretty much every surfboard in the Firewire range at some time or another and we speak to surfers from all over the world and get their feedback on how the boards perform in all sorts of conditions so we're well placed to talk about all aspects of Firewire surfboards. 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 info@boardshop.co.uk or call us on 0044 (0) 1243 674250. - Спорт
Awesome looking board
Thank you! Cheers!
In New Zealand it should be rebranded “The Kumera”
Love the Potatoes! Definitely getting it! What Quad Fin set up is that in your video?
They are amazing. These are the FCS II Split Keels!
About how much does the 5’6 sweet potato weigh?
Wondering if you would ride this the same length as the original SP, or could you go up one size because it's more refined?
Depends what you are looking for. Most people are sizing it like for like due to the lighter more buoyant construction.
I normally ride short boards around 27-28 L (5'8 gamma, 5'10 frk) - which size would you recommend for this?
5ft 2.
Nice!!! Looks like a fun groveler! If I order it now, will it arrive to US within the next 2 weeks?
For sure! Order today and it will take 5-7 days to get to the US.
I expect it will probably be available in New Zealand early 2024...
We NEED a Skipper’s surf review of this BEAUTY
@@BoardshopUK is this still available to arrive in California in the next two weeks?
Your reviews are very helpful, thank you for that.
Would you recommend this surfboard to me as a beginner transitioning to an intermediate, spending a summer in Morocco where the upcoming months are expected to be small? I am quite confident with funboards of 6’6-6’8 and now looking into buying sweet potato 6’2. I weight 65kg. Thanks.
No. Its too far of a jump and its only a small wave board. 6ft 2 would be way to big. There are heaps of better options for you. Email us! info@boardshop.co.uk and we can help
What about sizing? What is the recommendation compared to the seaside or mashup? I ride 5’10 mashup and 5’8 seaside so 5’6?
Thank you for your comment. Sizing, you want to be brave as the board can feel a touch corky. For groveling 1-2ft waves go 5ft 6.
Hi there using a mashup 5.7 31L and sci fi 5.8 29L not eavy 68kg for 167cm. Already have a twice baked 5.5 a bit big for me I struggle to go top to bottom which size for me before order ? 5.2 ?
We spoke on the phone this week. 5ft 4 for a summer groveler would be the best pick.
What fins would you recommend? I’ve been looking into the Endorfins twin plus 2. Also heard that performers in the front and reactors in the rear could work. Thoughts?
Big quads are best! Futures Controller Quad fins are the ones we use and love!
Would you recommend it for a beginner/intermediate surfer 6'0 70kg. Riding riding waves from 1 ft to 3 ft on the low east coast of Australia.
Would it be a good board to develop pumping technique?
Hard to say depending on level but if you are a beginner who is coming off a foam board, length is key, do not go for a short wide board, keep length in your board.
@@BoardshopUK I surfed an 8'0 for the past 3 years. Moved to a 6'10 42L about 6 months ago. If that would impact your advice?
@@jonathangaffney5496 you can over size it and you would still have lot of litres. Probably go for the biggest size
How would you compare this to the seaside and which one would you opt for if you mostly surf shorebreaks 2-4ft
Thanks. We wouldn't really compare them. You would want them in a quiver together. The Seaside is a daily board, its not a small wave board. the Sweet Potato is a small wave machine.
How would you compare it to the twice baked?
Similar. The SP has more speed and you can throw it about more.
I normally ride short boards around 30 L (5'5 seaside, 5'9 sci fi, 5´7 no brainer) - which size would you recommend for this?
Drop us an email and we can nail this down for you. The email is info@boardshop.co.uk
I’m usually right around the 41-42 liter range. I.e. the 5’11” Seaside or say the 6’2” Cymatic. I see the 5’10” Sweet Potato is 45 liters! That sounds like a lot. The 5’8” drops it down to 41 or so but is super short for a taller surfer (I’m 6’4”). Is this a case where the liters aren’t the focus and the shape (mostly width and wide point forward) and the 5’8” is the call, or is it about hiding that foam and the 5’10” is best without overthinking it?
Other factors come into play but trust the board. It is short, yes, but its wide. I am 6ft 3 and ride the 5ft 6. I would say 5ft 8 would be great for you. If you go big the board can feel very corky.
@@BoardshopUK thanks for the advice. I hear you when you say “corky”. I had a 6’0” seaside and it was way too much board. The 5’11” was perfect.
My only concern is that my normal volume for shortboards is right around 41 L. Shouldn’t this board be like pumped up over that? Or, like you said, trust the board?
How does it compare to baked potato
Very similar. An updated version with some tweaks. Both are small wave machines but the Helium construction is amazing.
Nice 🤙🏽🤙🏽
Thank you!
i`m 5`9 170 lbs beginner/intermediate. I want step down from my 7`6 49l volume Malibu.
What size do You recomend
Need a lot more detail then this. Email us at info@boardshop.co.uk and we can help
Looks like I have to try to sell my twice baked
Get your order in quick. They are flying out.
Dan Mann said, team riders, like Kevin Schulz are riding it as a thruster & loving it! Dan also said, he’s a quad guy, but also liked it as a thruster as well. ua-cam.com/video/K1-SmdouPhs/v-deo.html
True, they are surfing the US and Kevin is a next level surfer. This is out take on it for the weaker UK waves and waves in Europe. Cheers
I surf my Sweet Potato with the old AMT glass flex, the one with a little trailer, and it works amazing in 2 or 3 feet waves. Speed of the quad but loosen up the tail 👌
Thruster works well on this board when waves have more push to me.
Is Bob your uncle?
He is. Who is your Aunt?
@@BoardshopUK Florence... said with Toy Dolls accent
Well goddamn, if that's not the ugliest thing I've ever laid my eyes on. But it sure looks accommodating lol
Talking about Ian like that is not fair. He is sensitive.
@@BoardshopUK LOL XD
@@BoardshopUK 😂