Kevin Schulz Review - The Slater Designs S Boss in I-Bolic Technology by Kelly Slater and Dan Mann

Shop the Slater Designs S Boss in I-Bolic Technology here: bit.ly/4bHR2jZ

[@beachcowboy_]

Kevin is unbelievably talented on a surfboard it boggles my mind

[@jcwilkes524]

Running a 5’10” 31L . I’m baffled at the versatility of this board.

[@jessetchemendy4201]

The speed pickle!!! That first air 🤯

[@spinafex5729]

The bottom looks a lot like Jim Banks spiral vee thing that Kelly rode in Bali a while back.

[@michaellazear7902]

Is it better in the ibolic or the volcanic? Also, should you ride this board at your normal volume or ride it less or slightly more liters?

[@jonathanpowell1673]

FireWire!?! Any chance there’s a Big Boy version of this in the future?. At 250 lbs. my 6’4 Cymatic is the only board that lets me surf the way I wanna surf. (And still have some paddle power)

[@JoshSmith-ol5gn]

How would this board go in powerful overhead+ conditions, would it get a little bit hard to manage the speed for your average intermediate - lower advanced surfer ?

[@johnarmstrong4053]

Thanks for the great video. You mentioned the Endorphins. Fantastic fins. I own all 5-fin Endorphin sizes, medium and large. As a math teacher, surfer, shaper, carbon vacuum laminator. I measured carefully and there is NO size difference, or significance compared between Medium and Large Engorfins. At least there is a noticeable difference other fin brand competitors, I won't mention here. I love Endorphins, but as you mentioned mixing and matching would be great, but it is not possible as the Quad rears are identical, the centers are identical, and the fronts are only about 1 millimeter difference (1/32nd) between medium, and large. I emailed the Firewire with no response. Then I spoke with reps are the Board Show in DM explain the disappointment, and they replied: "This is what Kelly wanted". Really?! That was a blow off. Oh they gave me a shirt. Seriously, it would be great to have more size difference for more fin option as you mention. I also on the 2+1 which is great. But I this issue is with the Endorphins medium and large 5-fin pack, there is no difference. I ordered the set from the firewire and the other from a reputable shop. If you could please explain why there in no difference in the fin sizes that makes sense it would be greatly appreciated, rely the info back to corporate, or if there is an new version please let me know. I am happy to drive up and exchange one set with you guys if I am incorrect so that I could pick up a set that actually differs. I watch all FW videos. Let me know what could be done. Sorry to air this out in the open, if I am incorrect after you carefully measure them yourself. Thanks for your time.

[@jimrehman904]

From what you said, looks like you are putting more effort/interest into the size than the Endorfins guys. I'm sure by now they have had many inquiries about this.They will make more money selling the same product from the same mold to a Medium fin AND a Large fin buying population. My biggest question is, should I buy a medium or a large? 😂

[@Kitofthearts]

Surfing is about the journey or destination?

[@bodhitree33]

Noice surfing. Gotta check this one out.

[@user-sl8jl2kw2s]

Hello. Good crew cut. How does it go in chop or non perfectly clean conditions? How does it compare to the dominator 2? Thanks

[@kevinschulz4178]

It goes great in choppy stuff, and in your “everyday” surf. I actually did a majority of the testing in surf like you mentioned, but didn’t always have the camera present to capture everything. The board has the exact same rocker as the Dom 2 to assist with the smaller more gutless surf! Hope that helps!

[@ActUnXpctd]

i got the 5’4 revo because it was $530 and it goes luni

[@PianoFAB95]

My next board, can't wait to see how it goes in head high waves. Thx for sharing 😁 Is it really different from my Revo ? I ride 5'9 so wich size should I pick up on the S Boss ?

[@kevinschulz4178]

I would simply match the volume that you ride volume wise on your revo to the Sboss. If you are on a 5'9 revo I would recommend the 5'11 or 6'0 sboss and you should get some similar feelings in terms of float and paddle power!

[@PianoFAB95]

@@kevinschulz4178 Thx ! I didn't receive alert from your response 😅 I'm gonna go for 5'11 and check it at my local surfshop in Hossegor. By the way it should be nice if Firewire put a board test set up ou there ! I mean Boardrider Capbreton or Rip Curl Technical Store are my favorite ones 😁🤙 Aloha.

[@coldseamonster]

Trying to figure out the rhyme and reason for a blunt nose board with a round pin to be used as an everyday driver. Blunt nose will limit how vertical the board can get compare to narrow nose and round pin will give better control but slows board down compared to squash. Little confusing.

[@firewiresurfboards]

Cocncave, volume distribution and the way both relate to fin cluster placements. 80% of the ongoing refinements Dan Mann worked on in this design over the past few years were using those design variables to enhance speed.

[@finmann1353]

Yo, looking at getting a 6,0 sboss. Currently riding the FireWire spitfire in 6,0, how does it compare? I’m 6ft 3inch and 80kg is the 6,0 Sboss the right size ?

[@micahweaver8378]

can’t beat the spitfire i have the 6’2

[@MrRobinski]

Whats the full dimensions? Looks like you need to ride it pretty narrow or does it work well wider and with a squash tail do you know?

[@a.lame.username.]

😂...

[@Nocean831]

When would you choose the FRK+ or the S Boss? Trying to find out the difference in wave range and performance between these two.

[@kevinschulz4178]

Great question! The two are definitely comparable when riding the same size wave. What I found, and loved, on the sboss, was it’s ability to fit into the pocket having the blunt nose vs the extra 2-3” on thr FRK+, which also resulted in less swing weight in the nose through turns.

[@Nocean831]

@@kevinschulz4178 Epic! Thanks for the reply! It's a sick looking board and definitely on my radar for when I need to add to my quiver!

[@jimbokiwi9322]

What is your height and weight please? Seen a lot of your board reviews and everyone asks the same question about your height and weight. But never get an answer. It would be good to know. To have some idea of what size to go for. Quite annoying buying an expensive board to find out its not quite the right size.

[@seanvierra261]

THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT, my point exactly everytime i see a board review its this skinny guys with 27-28 litters or smaller,only if your skinny they'll sponsor you,get a bulky boy on this, i ride a dan mann 5'1 and 5'3 baked potato on over head waves, give me a try. It is expensive and the board dont work, firewire use to come to the beach pitch up a tent and you were able to try boards, board makers should do more of that.

[@jimbokiwi9322]

@@seanvierra261 yeah a board review is pointless without a bit of information about their own body and board dimensions. I got 2 firewires recently that I could've easily have gone down 2 sizes. Closest surf shop that sells firewire to me is 10 hour drive away. So got to buy online without seeing one in the flesh and always end up going up in size to be safe and I could of gone lower in both the models I have.

[@jphrabe8327]

Kevin Schultz is 6'0 and 165lbs. Kelly is 5'9" and 160lbs

[@jimbokiwi9322]

@@jphrabe8327 thank you very much! 😊

[@kevinschulz4178]

We do have a few clips out there that have my height and weight, but I am 6’1 and fluctuate between 165-170lbs, and usually gravitate towards 26-28 liters on most shortboards! Hope that helps!

[@kylewattssurfing3266]

NICCCCCCCCCCCEEEEE NICCCCCCCCCCCEEEEE YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!! 👏😎👏

[@matty9094]

Anyone else think this board looks slow? Just to my eye I don’t see much pop out of turns compared to most HPSB’s these days

[@benforst2287]

Nice I love accessories 2000 dollars or more!!! For the masses!!

[@sumatran]

BRING BACK THE EL TOMO FISH!!!!

[@firewiresurfboards]

We'll tell Tomo.

[@sumatran]

@@firewiresurfboards Tomo still makes them on his site, but not in LFT (or Ibolic) and it costs like $400usd to ship. My 5'4" works so friggin' good in it's Firewire construction that I don't want anything to change. Come on fellas, bring it back!! ;-)

[@JenovaImproved]

"Super unique V down the middle" you mean the one they copied from the Tomo REVO lol

[@tpim8654]

Should’ve called it “The Pickle”😂

[@firewiresurfboards]

Kevin tried. Kelly and Dan Mann voted for S Boss. Majority rules.

[@kevinschulz4178]

@firewiresurfboards is right. I did try. Code name was the speed pickle during the R&D phases!

[@kookvision9295]

Find myself being very cynical of the surfboard industry just pumping out new design after new design. This guys rips but I don't think this board looks great under his feet.

[@davidgough3512]

new product is an old business, but design is what surfers do: "garage" will always continue. Settling on a standard, "proven" quiver? Surfing is an absolutely subjective form of play, a spirit of play that often transitions to the urge to imagine the vehicle. Art never came to a conclusion and neither will surfing.

[@foxgd9117]

Pyzel has been pumping out new designs just as much , even more, does that change your opinion

[@kookvision9295]

@@foxgd9117 if he is making gimmick boards and trying to flog them to gullible people then yes

[@kookvision9295]

@@davidgough3512 agreed innovation will never stop. as for all the air fairy nonsence, 99% of the people who get sold these gimmicks would not have the ability to find the nuances between all these board models. These companies are just selling people the idea of surfing better. But there is no business model in this reality.

[@foxgd9117]

⁠@@kookvision9295ok well then it does change

[@A-Brax]

Who would want to support Popouts...

[@markjackson5704]

Just me and another couple of million people. Firewire LFT far superior to anything else out there.

[@A-Brax]

@@markjackson5704 saying FireWire is far superior is such a naive statement and probably know little to nothing on surfboard design and high performance boards. Have fun with your popout.

[@taradead]

Durability

[@markjackson5704]

@@taradead "the ability to last over time. Noun. The ability to last over time, resisting wear, breakage, deterioration, etc."

[@mark130471]

@@A-Brax 52, surfing since I was 12. Shaped just over 50 boards (no pro by any means), glassed over 100. Have worked on racing yacht hulls using most glasses and fibers of recent times. Have glassed PU, PE and Epoxy. How about you? Not trying to make fun of you, but what are your credentials?

[@oshea03]

Looks too squirrely

[@firewiresurfboards]

Kevin likes it squirley as a thruster. Set up as a quad for drivey lines on rail. This is Kelly's preference.