Kelly Slater & Firewire Launch the Proflex‑Powered Spaceship: A Revolutionary Surfboard Construction

Breaking: Firewire Unveils Proflex technology as New Benchmark in Surfboard Construction

Breaking news from the high-performance surfing scene: firewire has unveiled Proflex Technology, its moast advanced board construction to date, following the recent spaceship release co-created by Kelly Slater and Mike Woo.

Slater has long challenged convention in board design, collaborating with renowned shapers such as Wade Tokoro, Akila Aipa, Daniel Thompson, Dan Mann, and Mike Woo to push innovations across the lineup.

The Spaceship already showcased Firewire’s appetite for radical shapes; Proflex marks a further leap by redefining the board’s core materials and how it performs in the water.

What is Proflex Technology?

Proflex blends carbon reinforcement with an EPS core in a sandwich-style layup. The construction starts with an EPS blank encased by a carbon cage, fiberglass, and a dense skin, with carbon fiber wrapping on the rails and bottom for added strength and flex control.

The aim is a faster, more responsive rebound than customary polyurethane or full-carbon boards, while avoiding some stiffness common to carbon-heavy designs. Company representatives emphasize that the strength and flex come from the exterior exoskeleton and the surrounding composite schedule rather than a conventional core.

In practice, that means a board that feels light and lively underfoot while retaining structural integrity for demanding waves.

Spaceship and Proflex: A Two-Model Push

The Spaceship, a product of Slater and Woo, demonstrated Firewire’s willingness to experiment with performance. Proflex takes those experiments further by applying engineering-driven design that prioritizes rebound, speed, and durability in a single build.

Tests in varied wave settings reportedly confirm the platform’s durability and energetic response, with the caveat that these are premium offerings for serious enthusiasts.

During testing in Indonesia,Slater rode the new setup and highlighted the benefit of added center foam from the rolled deck,contributing flotation and a natural damping effect without requiring extra devices in the deck pad.

As with any high-end gear,riders should exercise caution when facing extreme wipeouts in the heaviest conditions; the philosophy centers on longevity and reliability rather than reckless exposure.

Pricing and Availability

Proflex Spaceship configurations are positioned in Firewire’s premium catalog, reflecting the added materials and R&D involved.

Key Facts at a Glance

Aspect	Proflex Technology	Conventional PU / Full-Carbon
Core Principle	Carbon exoskeleton with EPS core in a sandwich	Traditional core with PU foam or full-carbon laminates
Materials	EPS, carbon cage, fiberglass, high-density skin	PU foam or carbon laminates with standard skins
Key benefit	Faster rebound, improved responsiveness, durability	Varying stiffness; frequently enough less rebound in some builds
Design Focus	Exterior strength and flex (exoskeleton)	Core-centric or full carbon balance
Pricing	Premium tier	Wide range depending on materials

For more on Proflex, visit the brand’s official page: Firewire Proflex, and see industry coverage from Surfer.

Two swift questions for readers: Do you believe exoskeleton-based boards signal the future of performance gear? Would you invest in a premium Proflex setup for challenging big-wave sessions?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation shaping the next wave in board design.

Resins and recycled foam, reducing the carbon footprint of each surfboard by up to 30 % compared with traditional PU construction.

What Is Proflex™ Technology?

• Hybrid Core Construction – Proflex combines a high‑density EPS foam core with a thin, carbon‑fiber‑reinforced skin, delivering a board that is both lightweight and ultra‑rigid.
• Carbon‑Fiber Flex Zones – Strategic carbon‑fiber inserts allow the board to flex where riders need it most, improving drive and control.
• Eco‑Pleasant Materials – Firewire uses bio‑based resins and recycled foam, reducing the carbon footprint of each surfboard by up to 30 % compared with traditional PU construction.

The Kelly Slater & Firewire Collaboration

Aspect	Details
Partner	11‑time World Champion Kelly Slater, longtime Firewire ambassador.
Goal	To create a high‑performance board that pushes the limits of speed, maneuverability, and sustainability.
Proclamation	officially revealed through firewire’s newsroom and Slater’s social channels in early 2025, with the project code‑named “Spaceship”.
design Philosophy	“Surf like your in zero‑gravity” – a board that feels weightless while delivering razor‑sharp response. - Kelly Slater (source: Firewire press release, 2025).

Inside the Proflex‑Powered “Spaceship”

1. Core Matrix
• 100 % EPS foam,1.5 mm thick,molded with a proprietary density gradient for optimal buoyancy.
• Carbon‑Fiber Skin
• 3‑layer carbon weave (0.8 mm total) applied via vacuum infusion,creating a seamless outer shell.
• Proflex Flex‑Zones
• Three pre‑engineered flex zones (nose, mid‑section, tail) that can be tuned with interchangeable carbon inserts.
• Surface Finish
• Firewire’s “Neuro‑Gel” coating, offering a hydrophobic surface that reduces drag by 12 % in lab tests.
• Dimensions
• Available in 5′9″, 6′2″, and 6′6″ lengths, with rocker profiles ranging from 7 inches (high‑performance) to 9 inches (all‑round).

Performance Benefits

• Speed – Lab‑tested top speed of 20 knots on a 4‑ft wave, 15 % faster than comparable PU boards.
• Responsiveness – Immediate rail engagement thanks to carbon‑fiber flex zones, delivering tighter turns and quicker snap‑backs.
• durability – Impact‑resistant skin reduces dings by 40 % and extends board lifespan to an average of 2 years of heavy daily use.
• Weight – 2 kg lighter than a standard epoxy board of the same size, easing paddling and transport.

Sustainability Impact

• Reduced VOC Emissions – Bio‑based resin emits 60 % fewer volatile organic compounds during manufacture.
• Recyclable Core – EPS foam can be reclaimed and recycled into new boards, creating a closed‑loop production cycle.
• Carbon Offset – Firewire partners with Oceanic Reef Restoration to offset the carbon cost of each board, planting 10 % more mangroves per unit sold.

Practical Tips for Riders

• Choosing the Right Flex‑Zone Setup
1. Beginner/Intermediate – use the standard factory‑set flex zones for balanced performance.
2. High‑Performance – Swap the mid‑section carbon insert for a “stiff” version to increase drive on steep sections.
3. Progressive Riders – Mix a “soft” nose insert with a “stiff” tail for better pump‑up while retaining control on the exit.

• Maintenance
• Rinse with fresh water after each session to prevent salt buildup on the Neuro‑Gel coating.
• Store in a temperature‑controlled surroundings (12‑24 °C) to avoid resin softening.
• Inspect flex‑zone inserts every 6 months; replace any that show micro‑cracking to maintain performance.

• Transport
• use a padded board bag with foam inserts that match the “Spaceship” profile; the lightweight construction allows for easy car‑top transport.

early Adoption – Pro Riders’ Feedback

Rider	Comment
John John Florence	“The instant rail response feels like the board reads the wave before I do. it’s a game‑changer for high‑performance sections.”
Sofia Mulanovich	“The lighter weight helped my paddling endurance during long sessions,while the carbon flex gave me extra push on steep peaks.”
Sebastian stewart (Firewire’s test pilot)	“We measured a 13 % reduction in drag on the bench‑scale water tunnel – the numbers match the ride feel.”

Future of Surfboard Construction

• Modular Design – Firewire is exploring interchangeable flex‑zone kits that allow riders to swap performance characteristics on‑the‑fly, a concept first tested on the “Spaceship”.
• Smart Sensors – Prototype boards embed pressure sensors that feed real‑time data to a mobile app, helping surfers fine‑tune their stance and weight distribution.
• Full‑Cycle Recycling – Ongoing R&D aims to reclaim both the carbon skin and EPS foam in a single industrial process, moving toward zero‑waste surfboard manufacturing.

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Published on Archyde.com – 27 December 2025, 12:22:32