Seaside & Beyond Quick Facts
Firewire Seaside & Beyond quick facts
| Brand / shaper | Firewire Surfboards, Carlsbad, California; designed by Rob Machado |
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| Board type | Mid-length fish – a stretched-out Seaside inspired by Skip Frye’s 7-foot fishes, built for glide with the ability to turn on a dime |
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| Best waves | Almost anything – micro days you might not otherwise surf up to solid days; Firewire recommends it in 1–5 ft surf, skewing toward poor to average conditions |
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| Skill level | All levels, beginner through pro |
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| Tail | Swallow tail, carried over from the Seaside and Go Fish |
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| Design | Long, fishy outline with the Seaside’s bottom contours (single into double concave) stretched to mid-length proportions; takes cues from the Go Fish and Seaside and from Skip Frye’s longer fish designs |
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| Fins | Quad – four boxes, no center box. Best template: the Machado Seaside Quad fin set (drivey, keel-style quad; Futures single-tab or FCS II dual-tab). Firewire boards built from 2023 on come with Futures boxes; earlier boards came with either FCS II or Futures boxes, so check the fin system listed on each board. |
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| Stock sizes | 6’8 to 7’4 (40.9 L to 49.5 L) |
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| Sizing | A mid-length: go 6–12 inches longer than your shortboard with noticeably more volume. Rob rides a 7’0; the 6’8 suits lighter surfers or those coming off a shortboard, the 7’4 suits bigger surfers and longboarders stepping down |
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| Constructions we stock | Firewire currently builds the Seaside & Beyond in Helium with Volcanic basalt lamination. We have stocked it in Helium, Helium Volcanic, Timbertek (paulownia wood deck skin) and LFT (Linear Flex Technology) |
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Seaside & Beyond Q&A
What size Seaside & Beyond should I get?
Size it like a mid-length: 6–12 inches longer than your shortboard with more volume, not necessarily wider. There are three stock sizes – 6’8 (20 3/4” x 2 5/8”, 40.9 L), 7’0 (21 3/8” x 2 11/16”, 45.3 L) and 7’4 (21 3/4” x 2 3/4”, 49.5 L). A surfer on a 6’0 to 6’2 shortboard usually lands on the 6’8 or 7’0; the 7’0 is the size Rob Machado rides and calls one of his favorite boards in his quiver, and the 7’4 is for larger surfers or anyone stepping down from a longboard.
What fins does the Seaside & Beyond use?
It is a quad with four boxes, like the Seaside it grew out of. Rob’s Machado Seaside Quad fin set is the template designed for it – a quad that keeps the drivey, basey feel of a twin keel, which suits the long rail line and glide of this board. It comes in Futures-compatible single-tab and FCS II-compatible dual-tab versions. Boards from 2023 on have Futures boxes; earlier boards came in either FCS II or Futures.
What waves is the Seaside & Beyond for?
Rob says he rides it in everything – super small days, bigger days and everything in between – and it is the board he takes everywhere he goes. Firewire recommends 1–5 ft surf, skewing toward poor to average conditions, where the extra length and foam keep you gliding through flat sections. It still turns tightly for a 7-footer.
How is the Seaside & Beyond different from the Seaside?
It is the Seaside stretched to mid-length proportions. Rob first made a 7’0 Go Fish, then a 7’0 Seaside that became a favorite, after Skip Frye showed him some of his 7-foot fishes. Expect far more glide, paddle power and wave count than the 5’2–6’1 Seaside, with the same quad setup and swallow tail. The Seaside is for ripping small waves; the Seaside & Beyond is for gliding through them while still turning on a dime.
Who is the Seaside & Beyond for?
All skill levels. Newer surfers get stability and easy paddling, longboarders get a step-down that still glides, and experienced surfers get a fun alternative mid-length for small days or a travel board that handles bigger surf too.
What construction does the Seaside & Beyond come in?
Firewire currently builds the Seaside & Beyond in Helium with Volcanic lamination – a stringerless EPS core with paulownia and balsa rails, laminated with basalt fiber for Firewire’s most durable finish. Over the years we have also stocked it in standard Helium, Timbertek (sustainably sourced paulownia wood deck skin with bio-resin) and LFT (EPS core with Firewire’s Springer HD centerline composite). Each board on this page lists its construction and fin boxes.
Can I custom order a Seaside & Beyond?
Firewire builds the Seaside & Beyond in set stock sizes rather than true one-off customs, so there is no custom board builder for it. If the size or construction you want is not on this page, we can usually special order it for you from Firewire’s current range – contact the shop and we will check availability and lead time.
