The Best Firewire Surfboard for Performance and Fun

When summer rolls in and the waves start to shrink (as they usually do here in the UK), it doesn’t mean the fun’s over - it just means it’s time to give your quiver a quick refresh. In fact, with the right board under your feet, those mellow, weak beach days can deliver some of the best sessions of the year. Whether you're trimming down the line or throwing loose carves on waist-high peelers, having a board built for small surf makes all the difference.

Enter Firewire surfboards. Known for pushing surfboard shapes forward with innovative elements, funky outlines and sustainable construction, Firewire has nailed the balance between performance and all-around fun.

Below, we’ve rounded up three of their finest small wave weapons: the Too Fish, Machado Cado, and Sweet Potato. Reviewed and tested by our shop manager Justin, to help you make the most of every summer swell. Let's dive in!

Table of Contents

• Firewire Too Fish
• Firewire MachadoCado
• Firewire Sweet Potato
• Final Verdict

Firewire Too Fish

Image: Firewire Too Fish in Helium construction

Designed by one of the finest free surfers on the planet and previous WSL contender (lest we forget the famous High Five), Rob Machado, the Firewire Too Fish is a refined take on the retro twin, dialled in to provide demon speed, flow, and effortless style.

Compared to the original Go Fish, the Too Fish features a slightly pulled-in nose and tail, making it more responsive and versatile in a wider range of conditions, perfect for UK waters. It’s still all about glide and trim, but with extra bite and control when the waves get punchy.

We had our team rock up to Godrevy on a day that could only be described as seriously lacklustre. Soft, weak peaks and not a whole lot of drive - but that’s exactly when the Too Fish turned ON. It’s been a standout in our demo fleet for over a year now and is easily one of the most loved boards on the rack. Check the board review right HERE!

This board shines in smaller, weaker conditions where other shapes struggle. It delivers everything you want from a classic keel-fin fish - effortless speed, stylish flow, and easy planning through weak sections. In Helium construction, the Too Fish feels even more alive underfoot: light, responsive, and full of spark. It makes the most out of every ounce of energy in the wave, turning even the most average session into the kind where you are constantly paddling back out for “just one more…”

BONUS right now, if you grab a Firewire Too Fish from us, you'll get a FREE set of Machado Keel Fins - the perfect match for this board’s fast, flowing feel. New board… Free Fins - doesn't get much better than that, folks!

Now that we have provided you with our take on the new Too Fish, let's dive into some of the epic specs and features of this speed demon!

Design & Features

• Refined for smaller, weaker waves, it brings together effortless speed, smooth rail-to-rail transitions, and the kind of lively response that makes average conditions way more thrilling!
  
• From our sessions and hands-on experience, here’s what stands out:
  
• Designed to excel in smaller, weaker conditions
  
• Keel fin setup delivers classic fish speed and stylish flow
  
• Planes easily across weak sections, maintaining speed through softer parts of the wave
  
• The Helium construction has a super-light, responsive, and lively feel
  
• A go-to board for maximising fun on fat, slow days
  
• Proven popularity – one of our most ridden and waxed-up demo boards
  
• Free Machado Keel Fins included for a limited time with purchase

Firewire Specs:

• Construction: Lightweight and responsive Helium technology
  
• Bottom contour: Single with a subtle vee off the tail for added release
  
• Fin setup: Twin keel configuration
  
• Rails: Balanced medium rails for a mix of hold and sensitivity
  
• Wave Type: Small and weak waves with a range of 1-5ft

Performance

The Too Fish is where fun meets ability to perform. It comes alive in smaller, slower conditions - exactly where most boards struggle. It generates speed down the line easily, thanks to it’s twin keel setup and wide, fishy outline. The single concave with subtle vee off the tail helps it to release cleanly through carves, while the medium rails provide just the right balance between control and looseness- feels like a knife through butter!
What really sets it apart is how fun it feels. The Helium construction keeps it super light underfoot, adding a touch of extra spark and responsiveness, even in gutless surf. It’s fast, cruisy, and smooth - perfect for trimming, carving, and squeezing the most out of smaller waves without having to work too hard.

Our Thoughts

If you’re looking to keep the Stoke high through the summer months, the Too Fish Firewire surfboard is by far an easy choice. We find it to be a reliable, fast, and stylish board that transforms even the weakest conditions into something worth paddling out for. Whether you’re adding a fish to your quiver or upgrading your small wave setup, this one’s a must. And don’t forget - for a limited time, we’re throwing in a free set of Rob Machado Keel Fins to complete the package.

Firewire MachadoCado

Image: MachadoCado in Helium Construction

The Machado Cado Firewire surfboard is Rob’s latest twin fin creation - blending style, speed, and refined performance into one sleek, masterful shape. It’s a step-up from the classic fish outline, with a curvier rail line and a pulled-in tail that lets you push harder through sections without sacrificing that dreamy twin-fin glide. A confidence booster for sure!

The Machado Cado is designed to be fast and loose, perfect for those who love drawing smooth, stylish lines but want the option to go vertical when the wave calls for it. The low entry rocker and wide nose help with paddling and early entry, while the double concave through the fins gives it a lively, responsive feel.

Built with Firewire’s Helium technology, it’s super light underfoot and reacts instantly - ideal for small to mid-size surf where you want to keep things fun but still throw down some serious manoeuvres. If you’re after a twin that blends modern performance with Rob’s signature flow, the Machado Cado is a solid pick.

Bizarre avocado marketing aside…this board is all about pure fun and flow! From the moment we laid eyes on it, the Machado Cado model had that unmistakable Rob Machado feel: a full, generous outline paired with a beautifully thinned-out tail, deep concaves, and those signature straight rails that scream down-the-line speed. It’s a design language we’ve seen across Machado’s most beloved boards such as the Seaside, Go Fish and Moonbeam models. The Machado Cado brings those winning elements together in one seriously versatile package.

We’ve had this board out in a wide range of conditions here in the UK, and it hasn’t disappointed. Whether it’s waist-high dribblers or punchier overhead surf; the Machado Cado has a smooth, skatey feel that’s fast and loose yet still holds where you need it to. It offers that classic twin-fin glide, but it’s not just a groveller. The more we surfed it, the more we realised how adaptable it is - especially with options to run it as a twin, twin with trailer, or even a thruster setup if you’re chasing a little more hold.

Bottom line? This board is built for maximum fun across 90% of summer conditions. It’s fast, forgiving, and just a joy to ride - an easy board to throw in the car and trust, no matter what the day’s surf brings. Let's check out what makes the board so much fun!

After putting it through its paces, these are the key takeaways for our board trial:

• Full plan shape through the front of the board for easy paddling and fast down-the-line speed
  
• Thinned-out tail for added bite, maximum control, and response
  
• Straight, parallel rails that enhance speed and projection down the line
  
• Double concave on the bottom to generate lift and speed
  
• Neutral rocker with subtle lift in the nose and tail for smooth paddling and clean entry (say hello to added confidence on your takeoffs)
  
• Versatile fin options – surf it as a twin, twin with trailer (ideal with the Machado set), or as a thruster if you want more hold

Firewire Specs:

• Bottom contours: Double concave with a vee running through the fin area
  
• Rocker profile: Predominantly shallow for easy speed generation
  
• Rails: Medium-to-low rails for added sensitivity and control
  
• Recommended skill level: Suitable for all surfer levels
  
• Wave Type: Performs best in weaker to average surf (1–4ft)

Performance

The Machado Cado Firewire surfboard delivers smooth speed and flow in small to medium waves. Its flat rocker, straight rails, and deep concave provide effortless glide, lift, and responsive control - perfect for cruising with a lively, fun and high-performance feel.

Our Thoughts

If you want a board that’s equally at home cruising on small summer days or stepping up to more challenging conditions, we believe that the Machado Cado is a standout choice. It offers an ideal blend of speed, responsiveness, and versatility that will keep you stoked all season long. Lightweight, lively, and easy to ride, it’s a must-have in any quiver looking to maximise fun in a wide range of summer surf.

Firewire Sweet Potato

Image: Sweet Potato in Helium construction

The world-class Sweet Potato from Firewire is a wide, ultra-buoyant groveller built to excel in small, weak surf. Its ultra-flat rocker and full outline make catching waves effortless and deliver a super-fast high-performance ride that’s hard to match in small weak surf. Compared to the other previous “potato” models such as the Baked Potato, the new Sweet Potato is even more geared toward early wave entry and glide in the tiniest conditions, whilst still maintaining that lively high-performance feel. This makes it the go-to board when the surf is lacking drive. The Sweet Potato is all about maximum fun and flow on the flattest days. If you're looking to keep the stoke alive through summer slop, this board deserves a permanent place in your quiver.

Our shop manager Justin took the Firewire Sweet Potato out for a spin at Upton Towans, and honestly, it blew us away. At just 5'4", this board seemed almost impossibly small for someone like him - “I’m 6'6" and around 95 kilos - but it absolutely flies in tiny, clean waves." Whether the surf is weak and junky or just small and glassy, the Sweet Potato delivers incredible speed and glide, making it an ideal groveller for summer sessions. If you’re on the hunt for a high-performance small-wave board that’s fun and reliable, the Sweet Potato should definitely be on your radar. You can check our board review with Justin surfing the Sweet Potato right HERE!

Here’s what we noticed during Justin's sessions with the board:

• Surprisingly fast and easy to surf despite the small size
  
• Small sizes suitable for all surfers - even the likes of Justin @ 6’6", 95kg
  
• Performs exceptionally well in tiny, clean waves
  
• Great for weak, junky surf conditions (HELLO UK summer!)
  
• Ideal groveller for summer sessions

Firewire Specs

• Wave Conditions: 1-4ft, from weak to moderate waves
  
• Suitable For: Surfers of all skill levels
  
• Bottom Shape: Deep double barrel concave
  
• Rail Profile: Medium to low
  
• Rocker: Low at both entry and exit points, making catching waves a dream

Performance

The Sweet Potato Firewire surfboard truly shines when the waves get small and weak. Its compact size and shape make it incredibly easy to paddle and manoeuvre, while still providing surprising speed and lift. Even in tiny, mushy conditions, the board planes with ease and truly is a performance groveller of the highest calibre!

The Verdict

Want to make the most of your summer surf? The Firewire Too Fish, Machado Cado, and Sweet Potato are three perfect options to complete your quiver with that small-wave performance weapon. Check them out in-store or online - Down the Line Surf has you covered for a cracking summer.

If you want to be the first to hear about all of Firewire's latest releases, from surfers like Rob, Kelly and Tomo, then be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, where we post plenty of board and accessory reviews! Be the first to know about all the updates in surf gear and tech with guidance from our experienced team. Don't forget, if you have any further questions, we're here to help!