Slater Designs LFT Flat Earth Surfboard Review

Ian reviews the Slater Designs Flat Earth surfboard: www.boardshop.co.uk/surfboard...
Oh wow! The Slater Designs x Akila Aipa Flat Earth surfboard has landed. Its a performance twin, a shortboard alternative that delivers speed and buckets of performance.
No one here can remember having so some much expectation and interest in a board like we've had with this beauty. Ben Aipa who sadly passed away recently was a larger than life legend in the surfing world and Akila has carried his work forward, this collab with Slater Designs looks stunning.
Akila designed this board and worked closely with Slater to realise the performance and usability they were both looking for. They wanted an everyday go to board for knee to overhead waves that would work for a big range of surf abilities, they look to have nailed it.
The overall template looks to be based on the Akila Winged Twin model with some width and thickness added to give better performance in marginal conditions and generally give the board a more forgiving feel, but without sacrificing performance. A low entry rocker and subtle exit rocker combined with single to double concave and vee through the tail gives speed and drive combined with great release into turns. The fin set up gives twin or twin plus trailer option, the purist is going to say it has to be ridden as twin but the option is there to play around with a trailer.
Fin wise, the MR twin plus trailer from FCS will work too.
Slater Designs LFT or Linear Flex Technology is an eco friendly construction process that results in a durable board with a unique flex pattern. LFT uses an 18mm wide Composite Springer HD Suspension System that runs from nose to tail (in effect a space age stringer) and is overlaid with a top-deck sheet to improve the boards resistance to 'ridging' often seen on traditional PU boards with a wooden stringer. LFT produces a feel somewhat akin to a brand-new PU surfboard, but with a huge hike in durability, this will last for the lifespan of the board! Enjoy the lively sensation of a brand new board with the added durability of modern sandwich construction.
Slater Designs surfboards are more durable than other surfboard manufacturing processes, and for 90% of surfers they will improve your surfing. Slater Designs is pushing the limits of applying new technology and innovation to surfboard design and always has an eye on the environmental impact of what they do, they truly are different to the other board companies out there. Slater Designs have come a long way since the early boards and the range of shapes and tech just gets better and better. A big chunk of the boards in the range are perfectly suited to the waves that 90% of us surf on a regular basis so if you haven't already give them a try.
The staff here have surfed pretty much every surfboard in the Slater Designs range at some time or another and we speak to surfers from all over the world and get their feedback on how the boards perform in all sorts of conditions so we're well placed to talk about all aspects of Slater Designs surfboards. We're happy to consider trading in your old board against a new Slater Designs, so If you have any questions about this we'd be delighted to answer them and advise on any potential board choices or enquiries you might have, just drop us an email to [e-mail] or call us on 0044 (0) 1243 674250.

[@nathanmarshall3739]

I love in this review that you’re honest about where the board sits performance wise. It’s annoying when every board is in the ‘great paddler, any size wave.......’ etc category. Being more specific means a more informed choice. In short, well played Boardshop 👌

[@wozza77able]

Aka surf n show

[@doublestrokeroll]

@@wozza77able really? I think he's fairly honest about things. On this one for instance I believe he said it was not very good as a thruster. Don't forget too, Noel's idea of a "small wave" is a "pretty good wave" to those of us who surf weak beach breaks. At least that's my impression when I see him say he's surfing a small weak wave...lol.

[@adamsalman6327]

@@wozza77able and don’t forget Noel actually surfs well/rips. Never see other guys reviewing boards actually riding them. 🤔

[@sabrdia]

I totally agree, i just bought one and this is the only review that fits with what i have felt surfing it

[@bellpaleale]

Been waiting for a review on this!

[@sabrdia]

Bought one and tried it, it have 1,6 liters more than my phantom, and i have to say that this is the only review that says extacly what i felt about the board, not a daily driver, not a groveler, but it get alive when u get a good wave with some punch

[@mcdude3005]

Do you like the phantom more as a daily driver?

[@adrianstanciu8876]

Beautiful surfboards!👏😄

[@thebensman9786]

Looks phenomenal 🌍

[@terenceingram7786]

Great review as always. Would you then say the Album Twinsman would be better suited to regular every day waves? Looking for a new twin.

[@shannonyoung5382]

Firewire hit me back & informed me that the black twin fin Kelly Slater surfed on at the Billabong Pipe contest, was a prototype by Mike Wu. The fin’s were made by a private company. Cheers 🤙

[@kevindennis5923]

I ride this from 1-6ft no issues. Not a beginner board. It does NOT need a really good wave. Needs good technique & balance. Go up 2-3 liters and play with the fins. This is an awesome board and it paddles well for a knifey board.

[@BoardshopUK]

Thanks for the info!

[@tezf6883]

I just got a FRK ibolic get one they go insane

[@stephenw5724]

for an intermediate surfer 5`9 165 pounds what would you recommend for the flat earth? They say go up in volume so would the 33 liter 5-10 be to small?

[@roninplaya1]

Great review. Has Firewire stopped producing the Flat Earth? I can't find it on their US website. Thanks.

[@mrmr314]

Amazing. This guy from where surfing isn't really a big thing has given the best review out of all the Australians and Americans. Ridiculous isn't it. He's actually explained the board!

[@BoardshopUK]

Thanks heaps!

[@danjohnson3756]

The only flat earth I believe in.

[@cosmoganic]

Try those MR fins in an Evo, they are absolutely magic! secret spice..

[@tezf6883]

Evo still your fav spice?

[@josesnowsneves5132]

I wonder if it is a good paddler

[@DavidBlackson]

Keep it Flat!

[@masterjm5161]

What do you think of the Odysea 54 special (i want it for when the waves are small and mushy) Or do you recommend another board

[@michielaerts6272]

can you compare it to the Pukas 'the rush'? Although the rush is a designed 3-fin they share the same outline. What's the deal with these boards!?

[@masterjm5161]

👍

[@wozza77able]

Wing swallow?

[@chigchug283]

What does lft mean?

[@BoardshopUK]

Linear Flex Technology

[@shannonyoung5382]

Kelly surfed that black twinny at the Billabong Pipe contest... Thinking the Flat Earth was probably what he was riding. KS had a custom made twin fin set up, with the Slater logo on the outside of the fins. Wonder if KS will be following suite with Rob Machado & putting out his own fin’s to go with his board’s??? I guess we’ll just have to wait & see. 🤷‍♂️🤔🤙

[@wozza77able]

Wouldn’t go of anything Slater rides. He’s got a different board every surf! But if anything it would be closer to what he was filmed surfing at Keramas half way through last year I reckon.

[@foxgd9117]

No it was a woo surfboard, the carbon fiber one

[@ojaytambio2010]

what ever slater rides will sell....

[@horizon2667]

woo earth is flat. amen. look at the horizon.

[@RaelThomas]

No, it isn't.

[@BoardshopUK]

No it really isn't!