Firewire Surfboards FRK+ Squash

The Firewire FRK+ Squash: High-Performance Shortboard, Refined Over Three Years

The Firewire FRK+ Squash is what happens when one of the most innovative surfboard companies in the world hands a proven shape to Kelly Slater, Brodi Sale, Betty Lou Langworthy, and a roster of elite team riders and says: make it better. The result is a classic squash tail high-performance shortboard that has been dialed, tested, and refined over three years of real-world sessions in real surf.

If you have been searching for Firewire surfboards that bring together precision response and all-around drive without compromise, the FRK+ Squash is the model to ride. It builds on the foundation of the original FRK round tail and pushes that formula forward with a squash tail geometry that unlocks a distinct feel underfoot.

What the Squash Tail Changes (and Why It Matters)

The FRK+ Squash is meant to be ridden slightly shorter than the original FRK round tail. That is the first clue about what the squash tail brings to this design: more surface area in the tail section, which translates directly into a touch more release through turns. The concaves and fin placement have been adjusted specifically to account for the increased surface area of the squash compared to a round tail, so nothing is carried over as an afterthought. Every element is calibrated to work together as a complete system.

The feedback from team riders and everyday surfers alike has pointed to a consistent theme: super quick rail-to-rail responsiveness combined with extremely good drive and release. The shape gets out of your way. Most intermediate and above surfers will notice that the board amplifies intention rather than fighting it. It does not feel like you are working to make the board turn; it feels like the most high-performance expression of what you are trying to do.

Who the FRK+ Squash is Built For

Firewire positions the FRK+ Squash as a board for intermediate surfers and above. That means you have your fundamentals down, you are comfortable on a performance shortboard, and you want a design that rewards commitment and technique. The squash tail and the concave relationship through the tail section both reward surfers who drive hard through their back foot and engage the rail with purpose.

This is not a beginner board, and it is not a specialty small-wave groveler. It is a true high-performance shortboard built for the kind of surf where shortboards come alive: punchy beach breaks, clean overhead waves, and any condition where you want maximum responsiveness and the ability to generate speed with precision.

Firewire Surfboards: Innovative Design and Advanced Construction

Firewire Surfboards was built around a belief that surfboard construction and design should evolve, not stagnate. The brand has consistently pushed new materials and advanced construction methods into the market, and the FRK+ Squash reflects that philosophy. Firewire elevates the surfing experience through innovative designs, new materials, and advanced construction methods that you can feel the moment you pick the board up and the moment you paddle out.

The FRK+ Squash is available in multiple construction options, which is reflected in the variant selector on this page. The construction you choose will influence the flex pattern, the weight, and the feel of the board underfoot, so pay attention to which option suits your style and the surf you typically ride. Use the variant selector on this page to choose your size and construction.

Outline, Rocker, and Bottom Contours

The FRK+ Squash carries the outline of a refined high-performance shortboard: pulled-in nose, a moderate to fuller mid, and a clean squash tail exit. The rocker is tuned for speed and drive rather than looseness, which pairs well with the release the squash tail provides. You are not relying on a flat entry rocker to generate speed; the shape generates speed through its concave system and fin placement working with the rocker entry in a way that feels fast and connected through the whole board.

The concave system is central to the FRK+ story. Firewire and Dan Mann have spent considerable time on how the concaves relate to fin placement, particularly in the context of the squash tail. The result is a bottom that channels water efficiently, generates lift, and delivers the responsiveness the board is known for.

Fin Configuration

The FRK+ Squash is a thruster setup, which suits the drive-and-release character of the design. The thruster configuration gives you the hold you need in the pocket and the pivot you want off the tail. Fin choice is yours through the fin boxes on your board, so you can tune the feel to match your preferences and the surf conditions. A stiffer, more driving fin setup will emphasize the board's speed and hold; a looser, pivot-style setup will lean into the squash tail's release.

Questions About Sizing? Ask the Team at Island Water Sports

Choosing the right size in a high-performance shortboard is personal. Your weight, fitness, skill level, and the surf you ride most often all factor into the right call. Check the size guide on this page for the complete dimensions chart, and use the variant selector to see which options are on hand. The team at Island Water Sports has been outfitting South Florida surfers since 1978, so if you want a direct conversation about what size FRK+ Squash makes sense for you, come into the store or call us at 954-427-4929.

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