Cymatic by Slater Designs Review

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Miguel Marquina - 5 years ago

Solid review

Diego Chavez - 5 years ago

Hey man, would you recommend this board for an intermediate surfer surfing south shore Oahu in the winter/spring?

Miguel Marquina - 5 years ago

For sure great review I might just come in and bug ya

captaincam5 - 6 years ago

Bro I had English with you at mira costa, mushinsky back in 2016 fall

Brody Harford - 6 years ago

I'm 5.9 187lbs and skill level is intermediate. I can get into waves at pretty much any spot I paddle out at and pump down the line but not doing anything too crazy. Thinking 5.7 or 5.8? Any thoughts or suggestions on sizing? Currently ride a 5.8 Rusty Dwart and a 5.11 CI High 5.

xavier - 6 years ago

Hi Tyler and thanks for the review
I would like to buy à cymatic
I m french i live in Hossegor and i go every years two month in Indonesia my level is intermediate to advence
I am 36 for 5'10 and 165 lbs
Actualy i surf a Lost round up
6'0 19 1/4 2 1/2 31L
It's my board for every day
I am.looking for a board for everyday with good paddle
Is cymatic good ?
What size ? And what fins you advisor
Thanks to have read me and continue yours reviews

Jorge Romero - 6 years ago

Great review, please do the hydroshort and hydronaut from tomo.

Michael J. Day - 6 years ago

Hi Tyler, I was just in SD visiting your shop and John. I'm 6'0, approx 84kg + 4/3mm wetsuit and thinking about what size for the Cymatic? 22 years of surfing. Intermediate level. Currently, I'm riding a 5'8" Omni (32.4L) in many conditions (beach and reefs in Portugal), but when the waves get bigger or punchier (Portugal) I feel like I need a bit more foam. I'm thinking a 5'9" or 5'10". What do you think?

jointz chiropractic - 6 years ago

great review, watched it about 15 times before ordering!
josef: I just got a 5'3, i'm 5'4 and about 65kg, ride between 23 and 25 litres usually using it as a step up(could have gone for the 5'2 but not in full winter wetty/hood etc), i'd go 5'4 or 5'5 depending on what litre- age you normally surf. loads of foam under your chest so float is really good for such a small board, rail and tail is as sharp as my 5'5 23.5 ltr sci fi but with x2 more litres of volume, winner!

Clinton Vargas - 6 years ago

I'm 85-88KG/180LBs @49yrs, surf alot (inter/advanced) and have had three Tomo Omni's over the last 2yrs. First a 5'5 (creased) and then two 5'6s. Quad if it's small, thruster for the good stuff i.e 5-6ft Cloudbreak. The LFT is strong snap and deck wise but gets annoying splits in the rail that take on water because, EPS. The glassing/finishing quality is average at best.
I don't get the distance for the price out of these boards.
That being said, next I will be be tossing between a Cymatic (bat tail durability nightmare) or yet another 5'6 Omni. My present Omni is still my go to (after three (different fins) shoddy fin box removal/resets, multiple rail split repairs, now approx 50% heavier than orig) over a brand new (8 surfs) JS 5'11 HiFy MonstaBox. The fuckers are that good.
I would like a better construction alternative from Firewire/Slater/Tomo, but unfortunately I will have to bite down on the bit and continue to take it deep and dry in the ass wallet. Fuckers are that good.
Hope that helps.
History 5BO (5yrs before Omni). 2x 6'2 Taj Model FST Firewire, 1x 6'0 Bourez Firewire FST, 2x 6'1 KS12 CI PU, 2x Hashtag Firewire FST 5'10 & 5'11.
I travel a lot and like Firewire because I can buy the over priced fragile pieces of shit anywhere i.e France (Lorient), Bali, L.A (Huntington), French Antilles (Guadeloupe), NZ (Auckland), Thailand (Phuket).

10. comment for Cymatic by Slater Designs Review

Josef Eckl - 6 years ago

Hi Tyler, good review! I‘m 5.6 tall and have a weight of 73kg. Usually I surf a CI DFR at 28 Liter mainly in Indo and Ireland. Now I‘m going on a Surf Trip to Peru and Chile from August till December. Which size of the Cymatic would you recommend? The Cymatic will be my only Board on that trip.

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

Josef Eckl get a 5’5! That’s what I have been riding and it works in everything, it’s a great travel board

wendy corn - 6 years ago

Hi Tyler. I watched another review and the reviewer said it's for good waves...I want it more as an all arounder. Will it work for that? I have a sci fi 6 1 it's about 35.7 L. I want a bit more volume to catch more waves but I still want it to perform in hollow and mushy waves...I mostly surf beach breaks just south of santa cruz. I'm ok with switching fins for different conditions....which is usually what I do...Thank you! Great thorough review by the way.

mxnofear351 - 6 years ago

What is the time frame on getting a cymatic if you guys do not have the right size, or Fin box in stock?

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

mxnofear351 it’s dependent on if firewire has one available for you in the factory, otherwise come in and we will get you dialed in!

alejandro soto palomares - 6 years ago

HI, great review, I have one question I have a Blak Box II in hy fi construction and I love it in small waves. I was looking for a surfboard that performs when the waves get good, may be chest high tu overhead plus, you recomend the cymaticfor this purpose? or the gamma? hope you can respond.

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

alejandro soto palomares Hi! I would fully recommend the Cymatic for the conditions you mentioned. It just works in everything, and it will fully spice up your quiver!!

Matthew Harkness - 6 years ago

How sensitive is the board to foot placement?

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

Matthew Harkness one thing that sets this board apart from other performance shortboards is how forgiving it is underfoot. It has a huge sweet spot and it makes the board feel super good in all conditions

Luis Felipe Dal Bem Fistarol - 6 years ago

Nice review bro! I am a bit in doubt about sizing it, I'm 1,85 cm and 83 kg, I usually ride a 6,1 dhd dx1 with 30,5l. Do you reckon it would be best for me the 5'7 or the 5'8, I just think that maybe the 5'8 will be too much volume. I usually surf around east coast in aus and go tô indo once a year. Thank you, Luis.

Luis Felipe Dal Bem Fistarol - 6 years ago

Thanks for the answer bro! Yew

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

Luis Felipe Dal Bem Fistarol yeah, I think you will. To put it into perspective I rode my 5’5 this morning in well over head high waves and it felt AMAZING

Luis Felipe Dal Bem Fistarol - 6 years ago

So Tyler, do you reckon even if I go with 5'8 will be fine ?

Luis Felipe Dal Bem Fistarol - 6 years ago

Thanks bro! Appreciate your answer, yeah, I'll might even go a bit bigger on the 5'8 so I can surf in bigger waves as well! Thanks again, have a good one!

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

Luis Felipe Dal Bem Fistarol Luis! If I were you I would say do the 5’7 even though it is a little bigger than your dx1 volume wise, I do not think you will feel the difference. I sized up almost a full liter of volume on mine (I ride a 5’5) and it still feels really good. This board is unique for that reason. You can comfortably size up and not worry about it. It makes the board more Versatile as well; you will still get performance in small waves, and get extra paddle power in bigger surf. Hope that helps!!

Waxfoot - 6 years ago

Nice articulate review – thanks for the video!

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

I can for sure do an SKX review! I personally really like that board for its high performance versatility. You are right about the lack of info behind it. Thanks for the rec!

Waxfoot - 6 years ago

Tyler Richter there’s little to no info on the SKX. I’m getting different perspectives from people riding them, and for some reason all the personal feedback that’s been negative, is because the board in each circumstance has been very under volumed

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

Waxfoot thanks man! What board should I review next!?

wef 0909 - 6 years ago

What board compliments the Evo in hh and above waves? Omni or Cymatic?

Erik Burkett - 6 years ago

I have all 3, and the Cymatic feels much more high performance (think radical snaps, releasing the tail) while the Omni allows for more drawn-out carves with its round tail. Personally, I think I'd ride the Cymatic up to HH, but for bigger, I would prefer the Omni- certainly in steeper/hollower waves- which feels like it has a longer rail line (even at around the same length). It's a great mini step-up if you are used to an Evo. check out this FW clip about the two: https://youtu.be/uadVGrNh3v8

Whitenacho - 6 years ago

One God, One Country, One Fin

Whitenacho - 6 years ago

No their just good.

bodhi tree - 6 years ago

So are people who ride finless godless terrorist?

Waxfoot - 6 years ago

No real god, many countries , plenty fin options

Whitenacho - 6 years ago

Nice!

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

Whitenacho if that’s what you’re into I support it!

David Pham - 6 years ago

Great review. Great insight on the board design without getting overly technical. I'd suggest filming directly head on for a better look, and possibly editing in some surf footage. If you've surfed the SKX how would you compare it to the Cymatic?

David Pham - 6 years ago

Thanks for the reply. I surf Santa Cruz and primarily intend to ride it in waves head high or bigger at point breaks. I'm leaning towards the SKX. Hope to see more reviews in the future.

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

David Pham thanks for the suggestion, this was my first crack at making a video like this so any feed back is good feedback! The skx is much more “shortboardy”. It needs a lot more power to really get the board going in comparison to the Cymatic, however it is a super versitile board, from my experience on it some of the best sessions I had were at blacks when it was just a bit overhead. If you are looking for a more performance driven shape, do the SKX, but if you want something that will still give you comparable performance but in a wider range of waves, do the Cymatic!

20. comment for Cymatic by Slater Designs Review

Andy Gribben - 6 years ago

Great video lad!! One question? I'm 6’2’’ around 80kg what size would you recommend?

CW Rodriguez - 6 years ago

Erik Burkett I actually put the 5'10" on layaway at Hansens. Ordered one with single tab though as all I have are Futures. Didn't want to have to buy one set of FCS for one board.

CW Rodriguez - 6 years ago

good to know. how does the 5.6" feel?

CW Rodriguez - 6 years ago

thanks for the info dude. that's the main thing i'm concerned about. most of the customs I get the shaper says to go up, then the board feels like a barge when i'm trying to whip it around. This is such a different shape than I'm used to

Waxfoot - 6 years ago

I’m 5.10, 82kg and ride a 5.6”. 5.10 would be massively over volumed for me

Erik Burkett - 6 years ago

CW Rodriguez At your size, go with the bigger board. The shape is plenty loose but you'll want the volume. I've never surfed a board that turns this quick. I'm 40, 6', 180lbs, and had been riding a 5'5", 30.5L Evo the past year here in San Diego. The Cymatic's rails are much more thinned-out, so I went with 5'8", 32.9L rather than 5'7", 31L- and I'm glad I did. The 5'8" paddles well and still whips around easily. I never quite "clicked" with the Sci-Fi, but the narrower bat-tail and increased tail rocker really work for this board and make if feel high-performance. You have so much control, it almost feels like riding a skateboard. As Tyler said, try a smaller quad fin. I was using Large FWs at first, and they would stick for a moment before releasing at the end of a snap. I put in some Med (FCS2) Performer quads and it felt perfect today at 4-5' Sunset Cliffs.

Swee Yong - 6 years ago

I gonna get it as my first board though not recommended but it just looks damn good.

Round nose

Andy Gribben - 6 years ago

Yes Lad!! Will give you my thoughts on the board once I get it under my feet. Looking forward to something a little different from the norm, fingers crossed for some swell when my new stick arrives.

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

CW Rodriguez off the top of my head I do not know.

CW Rodriguez - 6 years ago

roger that! 5'10"? futures?

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

CW Rodriguez haha! The tail throws everyone off at first glance, let me be the first to tell you that it is fully functional and it feels insane under foot. Like I said to Andy, this is one board that you can safely size up in and feel good on. That’s what I did, and I don’t regret it at all. It sounds like you’re a local to encinitas and you know how flat summer gets, so if you want to get optimal usage out of your board size up!

CW Rodriguez - 6 years ago

does surfride stock a 5'10" with futures?

CW Rodriguez - 6 years ago

I hear ya man, I'm getting older and certainly slower. Noticeable difference popping up and flexibility from my mid-twenties. Curious to hear how your cymatic goes at that size. I'm still torn 50/50 on the 34L vs the 36L as the board seems to have a good amount of planing area, which is something I noticed Tyler is alluding too. I have a few boards in the 33L range when I usually like 35ishL, but are super flat and get along fine, they're just a little harder to turn being that flat as most of them have med to low kick in the tail. This cymatic seems like it has all the right stuff (minus that weird ass tail which I'm totally unfamiliar with).

Andy Gribben - 6 years ago

Hi CW Rodriguez, unfortunately my weight and fitness isn't what it once was, 5'10'' is the smallest board I have ever ridden but still has plenty of volume to keep me afloat :)

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

CW Rodriguez another thing to note, the conditions in Ireland where he is surfing most likely are not the best conditions, so sizing up in the dimensions of the board would not hurt anything, just another thing to consider when purchasing a board

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

CW Rodriguez I’m sure you are right, I answered his question without looking at the dims for the black whip. However one thing I do think is important to address is that volume is so relative from one board to another. Volume isn’t everything, for example, you could have the Cymatic compared to the black whip, they are completely different boards, the outline, the rocker, everything about it is different which may seem obvious, but it is easy to overlook. I think when it comes to looking at a new board, it is more important to focus on the dimensions, as well as the height and weight, as well as the ability of the surfer in order to really determine the right size for the board. If you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to ask, and even come into the shop this weekend to chat more! Thanks dude!

CW Rodriguez - 6 years ago

that's nearly 5L in more volume no? I figured by all the stuff I'm reading he would ride something closer to a 5'6" or 5'7". Also, was wondering if Surfride carries a 5'10" in futures. Was about to put one on layaway at Hansens but they don't stock a 5'10" in futures and that's all I ride. Would hate to have to buy a new set of fcs just for one board haha

CW Rodriguez - 6 years ago

You have the CI Black Whip, which is saying 29.3L on the CI site. The 5'9" Cymatic is 34.3L and the 5'10" is 36.4L. I wonder if that jump in volume is going to suit you? Just curious is all as I'm sizing one up at the moment. I'm 6'2" 92/93 kg (210lb) and was looking at the 5'9"/10" as well...

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

Stoked for you man! Hope you enjoy the board!

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

I am 110% all about futures. I have been riding the futures f4 quad set in the Cymatic (a size small fin) however for your height and weight you can ride an f6 quad on the cymatic. Due to the tail shape and all of the end points clawing into the wave you can get by with riding a smaller sized fin...the only other fin I have been riding in the board is a set of medium John John Florence fins. I like a stiffer fin, but I find the stiffer fin actually complements the looseness of the board

Andy Gribben - 6 years ago

Thanks for the quick reply Tyler, currently riding 6'0'' Black flag whip by Al Merrick. Long overdue a new stick. any thought on FCS2 vs Future's?

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

Without knowing your surfing ability, I would guess that you could get by with riding a 5’9 or a 5’10 just based off of your weight. If you take a look at the link I shared in the description it will take you to all of the dimensions. What are you riding now?

bodhi tree - 6 years ago

Nice run down. Liked the comparison to the sci-fi and omni.

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

Thanks man. It is really interesting to see the differences first hand. Although it looks like the two boards put together at first glance, there is a lot more going on than what the naked eye can see. If you get the chance to feel one out do it, and then feel the sci fi and the omni to really feel the difference between the three boards!

Ryun Paul Suh - 6 years ago

What kind of conditions have you been able to test out the board and which have been the most fun with this board?

Tyler Richter - 6 years ago

Ryun Paul Suh i have been able to surf it in a handful of conditions, from head high reefs around here in north county, all the way to poor beach breaks and the board still performs. It’s pretty sick to have a reliable board that works in everything in my quiver. Best conditions I’ve surfed it in have been like shoulder to head high in clean conditions. There isn’t a bad condition for this board...