Firewire Surfboards Groove
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The Firewire Groove: Rob Machado's High-Performance Shortboard
The Firewire Groove is Rob Machado's most focused performance design, a shortboard that carries the unmistakable ease and flow of his surfing style while pushing decisively into high-performance territory. Shaped to generate speed from rail to rail and throw committed carves in punchy, hollow surf, the Groove is the board Machado reaches for when the waves demand more precision than a relaxed fish or hybrid can deliver.
Firewire built this board to elevate the surfing experience through innovative design and advanced construction methods that translate directly into on-wave performance. The result is a shortboard that is responsive enough for critical sections yet forgiving enough to stay in the pocket through longer, drawn-out turns.
Design and Outline
The Groove carries a compact, pulled-in outline with a round, full nose that transitions into a clean, continuous curve through the midsection before narrowing toward a refined squash tail. That outline is deliberate: the wider nose point creates paddle power and early wave entry above what a traditional shortboard offers, while the drawn-in tail keeps the board on edge and snappy when you drive off the back foot.
Rocker is moderate, sitting between the flatter profiles found on fish designs and the aggressive entry rocker of a dedicated high-performance shortboard. This positions the Groove perfectly in the pocket of small-to-medium surf, where a flatter entry generates speed through flatter sections and the tail flip keeps the tail loose for release on the lip.
Bottom Contour and Fins
The bottom contour runs a subtle single concave through the entry that blends into a double concave through the fins. The single-to-double combination is the engine of the Groove's speed: the entry concave channels water flow and generates lift, while the double concave splits the flow under the fins and accelerates drive off the tail through each turn.
The Groove is set up as a twin-plus-trailer (twin fin with a small stabilizer) but the fin boxes accept a full quad setup as well. The twin configuration opens up a flowing, skatey feel with extra down-the-line speed and a loose tail, while the quad converts the board into a drivey, powerful setup that excels when the surf has juice and you want maximum hold through critical turns. Switching between the two fundamentally changes the ride character, giving this single board a wide effective range.
Wave Range and Who It Suits
The Groove is built for everyday shortboard surf: waist-to-head-high beach breaks, punchy reef setups, and faster point waves where you want to generate speed quickly and link turns without hunting for sections. It handles overhead surf comfortably, particularly in the quad setup, and remains playful in smaller waves where the twin configuration keeps the ride lively.
Intermediate surfers who have outgrown a fish or mid-length but want something more user-friendly than a narrow performance shortboard will find the Groove a natural step up. Experienced surfers who want Machado's relaxed-but-precise approach to everyday waves will find it slots effortlessly into their quiver as a go-to for south swells, windswell beach breaks, and any day the surf is punchy rather than perfect.
Firewire Construction
Firewire's construction philosophy centers on replacing traditional polyurethane and polyester with materials chosen for strength, responsiveness, and longevity. The Groove benefits from Firewire's layered sandwich approach, producing a board that is lighter, more durable, and more lively underfoot than a conventional PU build. You feel the difference most on takeoff and through rail-to-rail transitions, where the board pops and snaps with an immediacy that a heavier board cannot match.
If you have questions about which size or fin setup is right for your height, weight, and local surf, call the Island Water Sports team at 954-427-4929. Use the variant selector on this page to choose your size.
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Specifications
- Brand
- Firewire Surfboards
- Model
- Groove
- Shaper
- Rob Machado
- Category
- Shortboard
- Fin Setup
- Twin + Trailer / Quad (convertible)
- Tail Shape
- Squash
- Fin System
- Futures
- Skill Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Wave Range
- Waist to Overhead
Size & Dimensions
| Length | Width | Thickness | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'4" | 19" | 2 3/16" | 25.8L |
| 5'6" | 19 1/4" | 2 1/4" | 27.7L |
| 5'7" | 19 1/2" | 2 5/16" | 29.2L |
| 5'8" | 19 3/4" | 2 3/8" | 31.1L |
| 5'9" | 20" | 2 7/16" | 32.5L |
| 5'10" | 20 1/8" | 2 1/2" | 34.0L |
| 5'11" | 20 1/4" | 2 9/16" | 35.6L |
| 6'0" | 20 3/8" | 2 5/8" | 37.2L |
| 6'1" | 20 1/2" | 2 11/16" | 38.8L |
| 6'2" | 20 5/8" | 2 3/4" | 40.5L |
| 6'4" | 21" | 2 13/16" | 43.4L |
Full manufacturer size chart. Sizes available to order are shown in the selector above.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of waves is the Firewire Groove designed for?
- The Groove is designed for everyday shortboard surf: punchy beach breaks, faster reef setups, and point waves in the waist-to-overhead range. It performs best in surf that has some push and shape rather than crumbling, slow waves, and it handles overhead-plus conditions well, particularly in the quad fin setup.
- Is the Firewire Groove good for intermediate surfers?
- Yes. The Groove is a strong choice for intermediate surfers stepping up from a fish or hybrid who want a true shortboard with more forgiveness than a narrow performance thruster. The wider nose and round outline offer better paddle power and earlier wave entry than a typical high-performance shortboard, which makes it more accessible without giving up performance.
- What fin setup does the Firewire Groove use?
- The Groove is set up for twin-plus-trailer or quad configurations. The twin setup delivers a loose, flowing feel with extra down-the-line speed. The quad setup adds drive and hold, which is ideal in more powerful surf. Both options use the same fin boxes, so switching is straightforward. Check the variant selector on this page for the fin system on the version we carry.
- How does the Groove compare to other Firewire Rob Machado models?
- The Groove sits at the higher-performance end of Machado's lineup. Models like the Seaside and Beyond or the Sweet Potato are built for a wider range of conditions and surfers. The Groove is more focused: it rewards surfers who want to surf with precision and commitment in everyday shortboard surf rather than those looking for maximum ease or a longboard-to-shortboard transition board.
- What size Firewire Groove should I ride?
- Sizing depends on your weight, fitness level, and the surf you ride most. As a general guide, lighter or more advanced surfers lean toward the lower end of the range for a snappier, looser feel, while heavier surfers or those who want more paddle volume ride longer. The full dimensions chart on this page shows Width, Thickness, and Volume for every size, which are the numbers that matter most for fit. If you want a personal recommendation, call the Island Water Sports team at 954-427-4929.
- Is the Firewire Groove a good surfboard for South Florida waves?
- The Groove suits South Florida surf well when we have shape. Its moderate rocker and twin-to-quad versatility let you generate speed through softer sections and lock in when the surf has more push. For the typical waist-to-chest Florida beach break day, the twin setup keeps the ride lively. When a swell delivers overhead-plus surf, switching to quad gives you the hold you need.