Firewire Surfboards FRK Swallow
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The Firewire FRK Swallow is the newest and most versatile addition to the FRK quiver. Shaped by Dan Mann in collaboration with Kelly Slater and the Slater Designs team, it was built with a single focus: unlock real performance in waves five feet and under, without giving anything up when the wave stands up and demands a committed rail turn.
FRK Swallow Surfboard Design and Outline
The defining feature of the FRK Swallow is its swallow tail, a departure from the original FRK outline that reshapes how volume, drive, and pivot interact in soft, small surf. Dan Mann placed particular emphasis on distributing volume directly between the surfer's stance rather than spreading it evenly across the plan shape. The result is a board that feels connected and loaded underfoot where it matters most, even when the wave offers little energy to work with.
The outline in the back third of the board was designed in direct dialogue with all-new rocker curves, both down the centerline and along the rails. By calibrating the curve at the board's center differently from the curve at the rails, the FRK Swallow generates speed through flat, sticky sections that would stall a conventional shortboard, while still holding its line when you put it on rail. That combination is rare in a small-wave shape, and it is the core engineering achievement of this design.
Rocker, Rails, and Bottom Contour
The rocker profile on the FRK Swallow is dialed for low-end speed. Entry rocker is forgiving enough to catch waves earlier and generate momentum from the first pump, while the tail rocker is tuned to let the swallow tail release cleanly in fin-out maneuvers without feeling loose or unpredictable on a held rail. The rail shape supports both: fuller through the midsection for float and paddle power, transitioning to a more refined, down-railed shape through the fins where control and bite are needed.
Bottom contours work in service of that rocker story. The shape is designed to move water efficiently from nose to tail, channeling flow through the fin cluster for drive and response whether you are pumping for speed or loading into a turn.
Fin Configuration and Feel
The FRK Swallow runs a thruster fin configuration. Firewire recommends pairing it with the Endorfins KS1 fin set to bring out the board's full character, particularly its tendency to reward hard downcarves and controlled fin releases. The unanimous feedback from the Slater Designs team is that the FRK Swallow surpasses every other Slater Designs shape in those two specific sensations: the compression and rebound of a committed downcarve, and the controlled skate of a fin release held just long enough before snapping back on rail.
How the FRK Swallow Fits the FRK Quiver
Firewire designed the FRK Swallow to be surfed two inches shorter than the standard FRK and one inch shorter than the FRK+. That sizing guidance reflects the added paddle and glide built into the swallow tail outline. If you surf an FRK regularly, the Swallow in a shorter length will match your paddle feel while opening up a more skatey, free-feeling ride in the surf range where the standard FRK can feel a little stiff or unresponsive.
For surfers coming to the FRK Swallow fresh, it sits in the performance shortboard category but leans toward the fun, versatile end of that spectrum. It rewards intermediate surfers looking to step up their small-wave game and experienced surfers who want a dedicated groveler that does not sacrifice the ability to surf with power when a better set rolls through.
Wave Range and Who It Suits
The FRK Swallow was explicitly designed for waves five feet and under. That means beach break, small to medium point break, and anything with inconsistent or soft sections where generating your own speed is more important than managing the wave's power. It handles the kind of surf that humbles a high-performance shortboard, and it does so while still giving an experienced surfer something to work with.
Intermediate surfers who have outgrown their first shortboard and want a shape that rewards progressive surfing in everyday conditions will find it accessible without feeling dumbed-down. Advanced and experienced surfers who want a dedicated small-wave weapon with genuine performance credentials will find it responsive, fun, and technically honest.
Check the size chart on this page for full dimensions across the model range. Use the variant selector on this page to see which sizes are currently available, or call us at 954-427-4929 if you want to talk through sizing before you order.
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Specifications
- Brand
- Firewire Surfboards
- Model
- FRK Swallow
- Shaper
- Dan Mann x Slater Designs
- Category
- Shortboard / Small-Wave Performance
- Tail Shape
- Swallow
- Fin Setup
- Thruster (3-fin)
- Recommended Fins
- Endorfins KS1
- Gender
- Unisex
- Sizing Note
- Surf 2" shorter than your standard FRK, 1" shorter than the FRK+
Size & Dimensions
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'6" | 18 1/2" | 2 3/8" | 25.7L |
| 5'7" | 18 9/16" | 2 3/8" | 26.3L |
| 5'8" | 18 5/8" | 2 7/16" | 27.4L |
| 5'9" | 18 7/8" | 2 1/2" | 29L |
| 5'10" | 19 1/16" | 2 9/16" | 30.2L |
| 5'11" | 19 1/4" | 2 5/8" | 31.94L |
| 6'0" | 19 3/8" | 2 11/16" | 33.25L |
| 6'1" | 19 9/16" | 2 11/16" | 34.6L |
| 6'2" | 19 11/16" | 2 3/4" | 36.1L |
| 6'4" | 20 1/8" | 2 13/16" | 38.7L |
Full manufacturer size chart. Sizes available to order are shown in the selector above.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the FRK Swallow designed for?
- The FRK Swallow was designed by Dan Mann and the Slater Designs team specifically for waves five feet and under. It prioritizes speed generation through flat, soft sections while retaining the on-rail precision and fin-release feel that FRK shapes are known for.
- How does the FRK Swallow differ from the standard FRK and FRK+?
- The FRK Swallow adds a swallow tail to the FRK outline and reworks the rocker curves both down the centerline and along the rails to create more small-wave drive. Firewire recommends surfing it two inches shorter than your regular FRK size and one inch shorter than your FRK+ size to match the added volume and paddle float in the swallow tail outline.
- What fin setup does the FRK Swallow use?
- The FRK Swallow runs a thruster (three-fin) configuration. Firewire and the Slater Designs team recommend pairing it with the Endorfins KS1 fin set for the best combination of drive, release, and on-rail hold.
- Is the FRK Swallow good for intermediate surfers?
- Yes. The FRK Swallow is accessible to intermediate surfers who have solid small-wave experience and are ready for a performance shortboard that rewards progressive surfing. The swallow tail and volume distribution make it easier to generate speed in weak surf compared to a standard high-performance shortboard.
- What wave types work best with the FRK Swallow?
- The FRK Swallow is purpose-built for small to medium beach break and point break up to around five feet, particularly surf with soft or inconsistent sections where self-generating speed matters more than managing a powerful wave. It is not a big-wave or heavy-surf tool.
- What sizes does the FRK Swallow come in and how do I find the right one?
- The full manufacturer size range with exact dimensions and volume for each length is in the size chart on this page. Use the variant selector on this page to see what is currently available, and refer to the sizing note: go two inches shorter than your standard FRK size. If you want personal sizing advice, call us at 954-427-4929.
- What are the dimensions of the FRK Swallow?
- All dimensions including length, width, thickness, and volume in liters for every size in the model range are in the size chart on this page. No dimensions appear in the body copy to avoid any mismatch; the chart is the verified, up-to-date reference.