just saw this on the FireWire website! Won't be long and Firewire will be making standups ?!?!

Firewire is proud to announce a design partnership with Australian board designer Luke Short, the founder of Luke Short Designs (LSD).

With a design pedigree that includes shaping for Simon Anderson and Channel Islands before setting off on his own under the LSD label, Luke was a natural fit for Firewire. Under his own brand, Luke went on to work with many top pros, including Julian Wilson, and now brings a highly refined level of experience to the Firewire family.

Additionally, being an accomplished surfer in his own right, Luke enjoys the benefit of personally test riding his designs at a high performance level in addition to rider feedback.

“It feels great to be working with Firewire,” Luke said, “and I'm excited to work with new materials and construction methods to help create the best performing surfboards possible”.

Firewire CEO Mark Price added, “Luke and I began talking almost 3 years ago and we're stoked that we're now working together. Our goal has always been to build Firewire into the best surfboard brand that we possibly can, and to that end, working with a very select group of designers like Luke will enable us to offer premium designs to a broad cross section of surfers”.

The first Firewire/LSD model will hit retail towards the end of 2012 and will be Firewire and LSD branded, highlighting the relationship between the two board builders. Distribution will remain confined to Firewire's existing, premium account base.

Deano72 said...

Firewire tech in something as thick as a SUP would be a waste of time

Because of the lack of flex in a 4 inch thick SUP?

Isn't it light and strong though? Would be a good way of mass producing SUPs I would have thought.

Deano72 said...

I was thinking more of the timber rails / timber skins for flex response and a lively feel.
Nice on a 2-2.5" thick short board but sure to be lost in a 4" plus thick blank.
Most SUP manufacturers are already doing composite skins that aren't greatly dissimilar to the Firewire shortboards.

there is no reason why the timber has to be that thick. no problems altering the timber rail to get the right flex.

and certainly sups do flex . for me its the rebound pattern/memory that's the key

Haha what major shortboard label isn't???

jedijunglsno said...

It's not FireWire but a guy I know showed me one of these Lib Tech (snowboard brand) surfboards the other day and I thought it could be a good way to make a SUP.

Light, tough, and it won't absorb water...

http://www.libtechwaterboarding.com/technology/

Very interesting. Could be really good in a SUP.