Slater Designs "Sci-Fi" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep.78
Reviews 5 years ago 19,231 views
Click to buy: SURF STATION: https://www.surfstationstore.com/collections/firewire-surfboards/products/firewire-slater-designs-sci-fi-lft-surfboard JACK'S SURFBOARDS: https://jackssurfboards.com/collections/surfboards/firewire No obligation, but these links & ads help support the site and keeps the reviews coming! If you decide to buy somewhere else or would like to support the show, please donate at https://www.paypal.me/surfnshow In this review I test out two stock Sci-Fi boards from Slater Designs. I surfed these two boards in 2-5’ surf with clean and windy conditions. The stock 5’7” at 26.2 liters felt good underfoot when the surf was clean but I struggled to get clean precise turns when the surf had some texture on it. The stock 5’6” at 24.8 liters felt good in both clean and windy textured surf because I could sink the rail quickly and keep it engaged throughout my turns. After studying the footage for this review I like the responsiveness of the 5’6” compared to the 5’7” in all the wave conditions I tested. Both boards felt good with Quad and Thruster set ups. The Thruster set had a quicker pivot and the Quad had more speed the entire time with good pivot on the right fin configuration. In the end I had the most fun on the 5’6” as a Quad and I enjoyed Firewire’s LFT EPS technology in clean and windy conditions. The LFT EPS felt lively and had a bit of flare in my turns compared to the 5’7”. I like the performance of the Sci-Fi in 3-6’ surf and I recommend it as a daily driver for intermediate / pro level surfers. Board Dimensions: 5’6” x 18 ½ x 2 5/16 Liters 24.8 5’7” x 18 ¾ x 2 3/8 Liters 26.2 My Height: 5’9” Weight: 160 lbs or 72.57 kg
I have the 5,10 sci fi and I have problems in going straight to the lip with that board. I use to surf fcs medium performer fins and I feel the board wants to do only carving and not reentrys. I feel it better with MR 2+1 fins. I also feel it too much fast with bigger waves and then is even much more difficult to attack the lip. Which fins and size of fin would you recomend me to be able to control the board and attack the lip instead of do carving.
I want to ride it as a truster and I don’t want to feel the board so hard when turning (I feel like I’m going on train rails). I want a loose feeling and control that speed in turns.
Thanks in advance.
Keep it going!
David. Balearic islands. Spain.
In contrast I can barely endure watching 95% of the surfers on the WCT... Irrespective of how many crazy air rodeo flip reverse inverse tricks they launch... Which anyway are mostly a cover up for their lack of ability and understanding to connect artistically, cohesively and athletically with a wave. As you do.
Just want to thank you for making great reviews, and give you some feedback!
I’m 186cm 80kg Inter/advanced surfer
I mostly surf in bali (live in uluwatu) and sometimes on the surrounding islands. Last year I had a sci fi 5,11, I think it’s a pretty good board but maybe bali Isn’t the best place for the sci fi. I basically only surfed it on reefbreaks. I had a hard time finding the right spot for my back feet, felt like I really had to put it at the back of the pad. Liked it most as a quad, didn’t work good for me as a truster(but I’m a truster guy). Lft construction sucked for me, it dinged super easy and always sucked heaps of water, that took days to dry out. After a couple of months it started delaminating so I sold it.
This year in bali I been surfing a 6,0 groveler helium gamma and a 6,1 pu js monstabox. These 2 boards have been so good and I love both of them.
The gamma didn’t at all have the problem of the lft. Had it for 4 months and not a pressure ding. Only ding I had was on the tail from the leg rope on big wipe outs. Didn’t suck any water but I think it was cuz of the balsa rails, if I made cracks on the deck I recon it would have sucked heaps of water to!
Anyway the gamma was a solid board that really helped me surf more radical in the pocket! So easy to turn! Paddles good.
Good with the steeper rocker on better days in indo. Always surfed it as a truster, fcs ka large.
Well I snapped the gamma 3 days ago, so that’s the end of that story! But boy did it suck up water when it snapped!
Also the board got super yellow with brown veins after 3 months, the only white spot on the board was were I was sitting.
The Monsta box was abit to much volume for me lately, bought it when I was 90kg and pretty fat. But what a great board! I would recommend it the most! Such a versatile surfboard. Grovels good and I used it as a daily driver even on pumping waves. Had the board for 2 years and snapped it 2 days ago. 2 boards snapped in 2 sessions.
Got one month left in indo before I go home.
What do you recon I should pick up now?
Hope someone might have use of my input!
Thank you again for all the great work you do for the surfing community!
Hat off.
Regards
I suggest the Pyzel Phantom or CI Fever for your next Indo board.
10. comment for Slater Designs "Sci-Fi" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep.78
I thought i was seeing Slater Shred?
Unreal review, Beauty SnSR.
I'm a fan of the MPH... Thanks for a great review. I would love it if you reviewed the EVO helium
20. comment for Slater Designs "Sci-Fi" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep.78
Thanks Florian
Your knowledge and skill in the water is golden !!!! Everyone tell about your channel is frothing and subscribed after watching your work. As per the comments below please review the Tomo Evo Helium it is a very interesting concept and a board that may suit a lot of surfers, just really wanted a board test and your comments.
Keep up the Stellar work !!!!
What fins did you try on the demos as a Quad? We’re the Liters right for you one the demos?
30. comment for Slater Designs "Sci-Fi" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep.78
Greatings from Switzerland
Sci fi 5'6 in stock dimensions is good under my feets, specialy with HS quads, and go fish 5'3 toi, what is your recomendation for Neck Beard 2 and ghost please?
I'm 5'9 140 lbs and 45 years.
Frk Slater is an option too because I selled m'y Omni 5'4...
Thanks a lot. You save our money and time.
Yannick
thanks man, really good review.
You do a great job in describing the differences between the boards and i have very similar feelings to you, despite being a much lower level surfer.
I'm 188cm and 80kg intermediate and i currently own a 5'7 omni, and a brand new 5'6 Cymatic.
Had a couple of waves on a friends 5'11 sci fi a couple of years ago and i remembered how easy that tail turned.
That had me buying the Cymatic as a replacement for my beaten up Omni, as i've grown fond of Tomo's noseless boards.
Now the difference is huge between my Omni and Cymatic, surfed both with reactor and performer quads,
But the Cymatic feels so effortless, much easier to go vertical and stay in the pocket ! I feel it specially in the junky surf we get,
more flow, and longer rides with the Cymatic due to making it past sections i wouldn't make with the Omni.
I havent gotten solid surf yet since i have the Cymatic but curious to see how it does once it gets to 5ft with a decent period,
as in those conditions the Omni really comes to life.
Hydronaut review coming up as well ? I'm thinking to add that one above the Cymatic to potentialy replace the Omni.
50. comment for Slater Designs "Sci-Fi" Surfboard Review by Noel Salas Ep.78
How do you compare this board with the fever?
I am making the midas from machado in PU because the price and I would want to see a review.
I personally like the HE Tech better but I guess it really matters on the board type. The Gamma in HE felt great... no complaint on the board either.