Slater Designs announces today the release of the FRK SWALLOW, the all-new signature surfboard model from 11X World Champion Kelly Slater
Carlsbad, CA (Thursday, September 19): Slater Designs announces today the release of the FRK SWALLOW, the all-new signature surfboard model from 11X World Champion Kelly Slater, available today at authorized, premium retail locations and online
Designed to pair perfectly with Kelly’s signature KS1 Endorfins Fin Set, The FRK SWALLOW is crafted to unlock performance in versatile conditions.
“We’ve been kind of talking about doing this for a while,” remarks Kelly when discussing this new evolution to his previously popular FRK and FRK+ surfboard models designed with Dan. “Aesthetically, I think [the FRK SWALLOW] looks great. I would probably ride this up to about 5 foot.”
Dan Mann offers additional commentary on wave size saying “with the shape of the FRK SWALLOW, our intention was to make something very versatile in smaller waves while maintaining the performance merit of the FRK and FRK+. We did that by focusing on the outline curve in the back third of the FRK SWALLOW and being very specific about the way we approached the rail rocker curve and the centerline rocker curve.”
When looking at the FRK Swallow at a surf shop, the most immediately noticeable design element is the shape of the swallow tail, which Dan says; “eliminates surface area in the last six inches of the board. You get the width of a squash tail for planning speed, but the reduction in surface area makes it easier to sink the rail.”
On a continuous mission to make performance surfing accessible to all, Dan Mann has, over the years, proven most reliable in keeping board models in Kelly’s quiver, with the FRK franchise now on its 5th year in Kelly’s board bag.
When discussing what makes Dan such a reliable collaborator, Kelly says “Dan knows how to shape a board. He’s made a lot of boards out there that people love. Me and him kind of speak the same language. When you speak to a shaper you can kind of tell if you’re on the same wavelength. He and I tend to have a lot of things to compare about what we know about design.”
Built in I-Bolic Technology, Kelly describes this surfboard core technology as the foundation of the FRK SWALLOW’s shape, sharing that “This will last forever. It’s not an ultra, ultra-light board. It’s got a little bit of weight and substance to it, so when you have a wave and some interval and some power in it [I-Bolic Technology] has enough weight and mass to keep that inertia and that flow in the wave.”
Firewire’s DEMO DAYS schedule will provide a unique opportunity for surfers to test drive the FRK SWALLOW, which will eventually make its way into the FIREWIRE FLEETS (global premium surfboard rental program) assortments in the future.
Available now sized from 5’6 to 6’4, 25.7 to 38.7 liters, at authorized, quality surf shops globally, alongside Kelly’s preferred KS1 Endorfins Fin Set, you can explore additional features, benefits, and info on the FRK SWALLOW and KS1 Endorfins Fin Set on our website.
Designed to pair perfectly with Kelly’s signature KS1 Endorfins Fin Set, The FRK SWALLOW is crafted to unlock performance in versatile conditions.
“We’ve been kind of talking about doing this for a while,” remarks Kelly when discussing this new evolution to his previously popular FRK and FRK+ surfboard models designed with Dan. “Aesthetically, I think [the FRK SWALLOW] looks great. I would probably ride this up to about 5 foot.”
Dan Mann offers additional commentary on wave size saying “with the shape of the FRK SWALLOW, our intention was to make something very versatile in smaller waves while maintaining the performance merit of the FRK and FRK+. We did that by focusing on the outline curve in the back third of the FRK SWALLOW and being very specific about the way we approached the rail rocker curve and the centerline rocker curve.”
When looking at the FRK Swallow at a surf shop, the most immediately noticeable design element is the shape of the swallow tail, which Dan says; “eliminates surface area in the last six inches of the board. You get the width of a squash tail for planning speed, but the reduction in surface area makes it easier to sink the rail.”
On a continuous mission to make performance surfing accessible to all, Dan Mann has, over the years, proven most reliable in keeping board models in Kelly’s quiver, with the FRK franchise now on its 5th year in Kelly’s board bag.
When discussing what makes Dan such a reliable collaborator, Kelly says “Dan knows how to shape a board. He’s made a lot of boards out there that people love. Me and him kind of speak the same language. When you speak to a shaper you can kind of tell if you’re on the same wavelength. He and I tend to have a lot of things to compare about what we know about design.”
Built in I-Bolic Technology, Kelly describes this surfboard core technology as the foundation of the FRK SWALLOW’s shape, sharing that “This will last forever. It’s not an ultra, ultra-light board. It’s got a little bit of weight and substance to it, so when you have a wave and some interval and some power in it [I-Bolic Technology] has enough weight and mass to keep that inertia and that flow in the wave.”
Firewire’s DEMO DAYS schedule will provide a unique opportunity for surfers to test drive the FRK SWALLOW, which will eventually make its way into the FIREWIRE FLEETS (global premium surfboard rental program) assortments in the future.
Available now sized from 5’6 to 6’4, 25.7 to 38.7 liters, at authorized, quality surf shops globally, alongside Kelly’s preferred KS1 Endorfins Fin Set, you can explore additional features, benefits, and info on the FRK SWALLOW and KS1 Endorfins Fin Set on our website.