Firewire Seaside & Beyond Helium Volcanic Surfboard

Rob Machado on the Seaside & Beyond, "I’ve really been wanting to play around with some longer fishy kind of boards for a while now... Ever since I spent some time with Skip Frye and he showed me some of his fishes in the 7 foot range It’s been on my mind. I first stretched out the Go Fish and made a 7'0". It worked great and really got my mind spinning. Then I made a 7’0" Seaside and it became one of my favorite boards in my quiver. I rode it in everything - super small days, bigger days and everything in between. It’s become a board that I will take with me everywhere I go. It glides. It turns on a dime and most importantly, it puts a smile on my face."

Wave Type

One of Rob's most popular midlength shapes because of its versatility, this board is tons of small in just about any conditions. From micro days you might not consider surfing, to bigger days when the waves are more solid, to everything in between, the Seaside & Beyond has become a favorite in our quiver. Recommended in 1-5' surf, skewing towards poor to average conditions.

Board Features

A brainchild of Rob Machado, this longer fishy outline is not only pleasing to the eye, but also performs. It takes cues from his Go Fish and Seaside models, and was inspired by legendary Southern California surf icon and shaper Skip Frye.

---

Helium Core Technology

Light and lively underfoot, excellent at generating speed in everyday waves. This is your ideal technology choice for generating speed in weak, everyday waves. The Firewire Helium technology is a stringerless 1.0 lb EPS foam core with flex controlled with rails made from Paulownia and Balsa wood, running the complete length from nose to tail, combined with a 3mm proprietary aerospace composite deck skin. The wood rails enable a lively flex in the rail that gives a loaded-up, spring-back feeling, and the deck skins make your board feel this way for a long time. Helium deck skins are beneficial for both durability and performance - and have a memory that will rebound back to form after being compressed, making it very responsive in addition to keeping your deck surface pristine for many years.

Performance

Ideal for generating speed in weak, everyday waves - this is your choice if you want unmatched response, lightweight and durability. Helium has a lively, responsive flex underfoot, and surfs quickly and explosively when creating tight angles.

Construction

Ideal for generating speed in weak, everyday waves - this is your choice if you want unmatched response, lightweight and durability. Helium has a lively, responsive flex underfoot, and surfs quickly and explosively when creating tight angles.

Lamination Compatibility

Helium cores are paired with fiberglass lamination, Volcanic lamination, Timbertek lamination, or Artificial Wave Technology fiberglass lamination.

Core Construction

Helium blanks move through a multi-stage, precision-controlled build process designed to ensure consistency, strength, and tuned flex behavior:

1. Outline cutting and high-density component insertion
2. Deck cutting and deck skin application
3. Bottom cutting and bottom skin application
4. Final rail cutting followed by hand-shaped rail tuning

Helium utilizes a vacuum-laminated sandwich construction, featuring either a 2.4 oz. or 4 oz. fiberglass layer positioned between the EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) core and proprietary MPP (Modified Polypropylene) composite skins, followed by an external 4 oz. fiberglass lamination on both the deck and bottom. The vacuum lamination process ensures uniform adhesion, reduced resin weight, and superior structural integrity across the entire board.

High-density fin box inserts are integrated during construction to reinforce fin attachment points and minimize the risk of cracking or flex distortion under load.

During lamination, the parabolic rail structure is locked into place under vacuum, creating stored elastic energy within the blank. This “loaded spring” effect allows the board to actively return energy during turns, increasing projection and speed—particularly in small to medium surf—while requiring less physical input from the surfer.

Helium Technology Materials

Helium is approximately 25–30% lighter than PU boards, with a more responsive flex feel, waterproof EPS core, and lower VOC emissions thanks to epoxy bio-resins. It has a 3–5+ year lifespan and keeps boards out of landfills longer. Traditional PU boards are heavier, less flexible, and last only 1–2 years on average, with higher environmental impact.

Freshwater Performance & Buoyancy

EPS foam performs better in freshwater wave pools due to its higher relative gravity profile, which provides superior buoyancy. EPS/epoxy boards deliver approximately 2–3% more net flotation than PU boards of the same volume in freshwater, where reduced water density affects board lift.

Example estimates (freshwater, same volume):

• 30 L board: EPS +2.2% lift advantage (~0.6 kg)
• 35 L board: EPS +2.2% lift advantage (~0.7 kg)

Helium Key Technical Differentiators

• EPS (Expanded Polystyrene): Closed-cell foam that’s lightweight, waterproof, and recyclable — forms Helium’s core.
• MPP Composite Skins: High-density sandwich composite skins for dent resistance and flex control.
• 2.4 oz. / 4 oz. e-Fiberglass (Internal Layer): Light fiberglass layer that distributes load evenly between core and skins.
• 4 oz. e-Fiberglass (Outer Lamination): Outer laminate providing durable finish and surface protection.
• HD Polonia Wooden Rail Inserts: High-density foam strips enhancing flex control and preventing rail cracking.
• High-Density Fin Box Inserts: Dense composite blocks integrated into the core to anchor fin boxes securely.
• Paulownia Wood Blocks: Light hardwood reinforcements for nose and tail strength.
• Epoxy Bio-Resin (Entropy): Bio-based epoxy resin system with superior strength and flexibility.

Helium Tech Summary

Helium Technology delivers an ultra-light, lively ride with a distinct sense of stored energy and rebound. Built around an EPS core and high density of Paulownia Wooden parabolic rail. Helium boards retain inherent kinetic energy in the rails, allowing for loaded spring-back out of turns and smooth projective flex. This gives surfers a sensation of speed, flow, and effortless projection.

---

Volcanic Lamination Technology

Volcanic lamination technology is made from basalt, a natural element that comes from volcanic rocks. These volcanic rocks are crushed, melted down and then extruded into woven fibers that make up the basalt cloth Firewire uses in this lamination technology. This process requires the basalt rock to get to about 1,500 degrees Celsius (2,730 degrees Fahrenheit.)

The cloth has the same functional characteristics to carbon, making it a sustainable alternative to carbon, which is very bad for the environment. While basalt fiber has been around for decades, it's relatively new to fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) and structural composites used for surfboard manufacturing. It has a similar chemical composition to glass fiber, but better strength characteristics.

Volcanic Performance

Firewire's most durable construction with elevated response. This sustainable alternative to carbon is stronger than carbon and can also withstand higher temperatures than carbon, making it a top choice for the aerospace industry in the manufacturing of rockets and jet engines. It also has higher elasticity than traditional carbon, allowing the board to have more flex for a natural feel underfoot.

Volcanic Construction

The Firewire Volcanic lamination schedule is double 4 oz. basalt cloth on the deck, and single 4 oz. basalt cloth on the bottom.