Kelly Slater Designs "Omni" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep. 68
Reviews 5 years ago 22,645 views
Click to buy: SURF STATION - https://www.surfstationstore.com/products/firewire-x-slater-designs-omni-surfboard No obligation, but if you want to support the Site and keep the reviews coming you can donate here. https://www.paypal.me/surfnshow In this episode I get two Slater Designs “Omni” surfboards sent down for review. One board is a stock 5’4” with FCSII fin plugs and the other is a stock 5’3” with Futures. Both boards feel good under foot and I couldn’t really feel the difference in paddling between the two even though the 5’4” has 1.1 liters more foam. However I did notice a difference in transition from turn to turn and the 5’3” had a bit more snap to it. When I talk over the waves on these two boards I can really see the difference. I also spend some time comparing the attributes on the Omni to the Cymatic because they look so similar. After gathering some knowledge and surfing both models in similar wave conditions my conclusion is they surf completely different. The Omni surfs more like a HPSB with a little more entry rocker and excels in steeper more hollow waves. I found the Omni to be a little more demanding (harder to surf) compared to the Cymatic. The Omni wants to be surfed off the tail compared to the Cymatic and favors a back footed surfer due to its board design. The Omni has a round tail so it holds speed through turns very well and likes to carve. On the down side I felt it struggled to go vertical in the pocket due to the natural characteristics of a round tail wanting to do rounder turns by design. I found the Cymatic to be a bit more user friendly (easier to surf) and faster compared to the Omni because its double Bat Tail design and less entry rocker. The Double Bat tail has a Flyer (Wing) on the tail so it has a great pivot point that allows the water to break free from the rail enabling it to turn board quickly and get it vertical in the pocket freely. I also believe the Cymatic favors a back footed surfer but offers a bigger sweet spot on the tail making it easier to surf. You move your foot around on the tail of the Cymatic and still get precise surfing compared to the Omni. The Cymatic is faster because it has less entry rocker and more surface area in the tail making it more versatile for smaller flatter waves compared to the Omni. All in all the Omni is a fun board and it excels in 3-6’+ hollow waves and I recommend it as a HPSB for intermediate to pro level surfers. Board DIMS: 5’4” x 18 7/8 x 2 5/16 Liters 26 5’3” x 18 5/8 x 2 ¼ Liters 24.9 My Height: 5’9” Weight: 160 lbs or 72.57 kg
Any chance you do soon a spitfire helium review soon?
I’m 5’9 185-90lbs
I’m 6’2 tall and 176lbs, I tried a friends Omni in 5’8 and was able to catch waves.. in fact I liked it more than I thought and it paddled well and still got into some smallish waves, but I think a 5’10 or 5’11 is probably best for my size??.
I want a Cymatic now to replace my SciFi, love the rounded nosed, light swing weight of the Omni and can't wait to get me a Cymatic for less punchy waves.
Keep ripping brother, once a grommet, always a grommet :-D
10. comment for Kelly Slater Designs "Omni" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep. 68
Always stoked on on what you do for us surfers through your reviews. It is an INVALUABLE resource and fun nerding out on board/fin design! Respect brother!!!
Any thoughts?
20. comment for Kelly Slater Designs "Omni" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep. 68
i poured my favourite drink, relaxed and watched the review and had a blast...
super informative as always but still fun review.
thanks Noel!
but that was my nightcap: baileys on the rocks.....hmmm.
I'll also add that the 'twang' or 'zip' that you feel in the Firewire LFT style EPS / Epoxy is the same as you'll feel in 'comp lite' PU/PE ... but, the strength and longevity of the EPS/Epoxy will most likely outlast the 'comp lite' PE/PE. When a pro gets a good board, they 'put it on ice' and only surf it in comps - they can't risk surfing it all the time as the construction of a 'comp lite' PU blank, and a comp lite PE glassing schedule just won't last ... it's also why more 'standard' PU/PE boards are not 'comp lite' ... they avergae surfer can't afford the replacement process, or cost.
The EPS / Epoxy style boards seems be providing a compromise, but, yes, the lighter weigh means they need good clean surf conditions.
30. comment for Kelly Slater Designs "Omni" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep. 68
Great review! For hh waves & up with bit of push. What board would you rather use? Omni or Gamma?
Cheers
As always I really liked the review, and I love to watch you surf! Seeing you ride this blunt nose carvy board makes me wonder what you think about the Meyerhoffer Slip in, and how you'd be surfing it.
Looking forward to your next review :)
50. comment for Kelly Slater Designs "Omni" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep. 68
Hit me up if you want to implement any of those ideas and I could talk you through them or show you examples, they're all pretty easy to do.
I like all your ideas... maybe we will try to implement some of them. Thanks
Since your vids are so long (not a bad thing) it might be good to break it up a bit to make them easier to navigate. Some people may only be watching for your fin recommendations, having links below with where each segment lands would be really helpful.
So thinking of it like a sitcom: Cold open/teaser (what you're already doing with the surf shots on the board and then intro of you introducing the board). Cut to your theme song with the very best clips of you on all the different boards you've tested (think Taylor Steele openers of his videos). Titles of the board your testing out with the dims written down and your physical stats for people who may not speak english but want to watch you surf in the review, and breaks with title cards when you jump to new sections like fins or if you switch to a different volume model.
The show is already great, but these things would actually make it feel faster and more fluid. It's always good to break up how you're presenting info to a viewer; visual, aural, visual, aural, etc. Just suggestions, if I'm overstepping and you think these ideas are garbage, I won't be insulted.
And I really liked that you rode two different sized boards. Excellent job!
When I referenced the 5’4” is was about paddling and how it felt under my feet. When we looked at the footage together I said the 5’4” looks big under my feet and I could not get it to have that snap compared to the 5’3”.
What things feel like don’t always translate when you see it on video. Both boards felt good under foot but the 5’4” looked big to me on video and the 5’3” looked Spicy.
I highly recommend the Cymatic for SO Cal waves.... more versatile, & user friendly. Sounds like the 5’7” is the right one... like you mentioned.
I am 40 and 175lbs. I have a 5’7 in both shapes. They feel good for me when I travel and have good waves to ride. But I live on the Texas Gulf Coast and will probably get a 5’8 to help with the weak surf, here.
I don’t think you could go wrong with either size. Unless you’re a really good surfer I would recommend the 5’8, since you’re probably sporting a wetsuit every session.
But living in California, you probably have the opportunity to find a demo day or rent one from those awesome shops that you guys have!
Hope that helps.