Slater Designs "Sci-Fi"- Test Drive Episode #7
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- čas přidán 30. 08. 2016
- For this episode of Test Drive, Garrett reviews the highly anticipated and hyped "Sci-Fi" which is collaborative effort between Firewire Surfboards, Daniel Thompson, and Slater Designs. With some similar characteristics to the Evo, Vader, and Vanguard (other Tomo designed boards), the Sci-Fi infuses more traditional performance elements.
Watch the video to see Garrett test the Sci-Fi on the lower end of the wave spectrum that the board is recommended for.
sunrisesurfshop.com
3:37 , "the second you drop in" ... haha, I see what you did there!
once again man great advice thanks again looking forward to some more great videos.
no problem! working on one now, thanks again for the kind words and i'm always glad to help!
love it that you surf it and review it in the same video! keep these reviews coming
Thank you!! We are in the midst of a brutal flat spell but have a few boards lined up on deck to review, some exciting stuff going on as far as different shapes and technologies we will be reviewing throughout 2017!! We appreciate you watching, cheers!
Hey Guys
Thanks a lot for coming up with these videos, really enjoyed watching and very helpful when choosing new boards.
2 quick Questions for you, intermediate surfer, I have been riding a 5,4 Evo in pretty much any condition (portuguese points in Lisbon, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka) for over a year and absolutely love it.
- will the sci.fi be a good step up for slightly steeper/bigger waves vs. EVO? (I generally won't surf heavy waves but at times I felt limited by the 5,4)
- not really sure between 5.9 and 5.10. I am 1,78cm by 72,5kg and the volume gap is quite big between the 2
Thanks for the help :)
That's about as good a praise as you could give. " going to become one of my favourite boards in my quiver" good job! 👍
still is for sure! Thanks for watching!!
Out of the Slater designs Sci-Fi, the dhd dx1pu and the dhd dx1 epoxicore what board do you think is the best?
Cheers
nice review thanks...two questions...how would you describe the rocker on this board? Also when you popup should your front/leading foot be planted approx in the middle of the board lengthways?So for example if your board is 190cm should your front foot be at 95cm on popup and riding?
the rocker is pretty subtle, not anything to crazy. It's enough to allow the board to turn well but not so much that it slows you down. As far as where your foot goes that will be different for every surfer depending on their technique and style. You will get the feel for where your foot should be right away after a wave or two. thanks for watching!!
Cool review - what dimensions was the test board you rode?
Do you think this would be a good step up board from a 5'6 spitfire, for when the waves have a bit more juice.I really like the feel of firewires but there arent many performance models in my volume range (28l) that aren't 5'10 and over. I'm only 5'9, 160lb so like yours, the 5'8 would like be perfect as I just don't like riding long boards. Cheers.
yes 100%! If you had a 5'6 spitfire for small waves and a sci-fi for better, chunkier waves you would be covered. The sci-fi holds well in bigger surf especially with larger fins or a quad set up. Hope that helps, thanks for tuning in, we appreciate the support!
Nice!
You drive a chevy.... instant sub!
always enjoy your videos. keep them going.
i ride a lost v3 rocket 6.0 great small to medium wave board. im looking at the sci fi or baby buggy. for better surf days. steeper waves.
im not sure which board would be better. if i went with sci fi not sure length. my v3 is 34.4 l almost to high volume for me at 83 kg.
any advice would be great
I would go with the sci-fi for sure, and as far as size i would steer you towards the 6'0 since it will be used in steeper, better waves. It has a volume of 33.9, the volume of 6'1 is 35.7 so it might feel a little bulky. Hope that helps, thanks for watching!!
Hey mate. I ride a 5'3 Evo and a 5'5 Omni. I like both. I'm around 160 pounds and surfing warm water waves all the time.
I was thinking of getting a 5'7 Sci Fi but don't want to go to low the volume... What do you think?
There is a few vids of me riding the other boards on my channel if you need to gauge my ability. Any advice will be appreciated.
Well i was going to say the 5'8 because that's what i ride and i am 160 pounds as well. I also had a 5'3 EVO and if you like that board i think the similar volume would be the 5'8 over the 5'7. The only thing i will say is that after watching a few of your vids it seems that you are riding them in powerful waves the majority of the time. Since that is the case i think you could get away with the 5'7 Sci-Fi with your ability and weight but the 5'8, once again, will be similar volume to your EVO and Omni so if you don't want to lose any paddle power stick with that volume and go 5'8. Hope that helps, thanks for watching and keep ripping!! Cheers'
Hey mate, Thanks so much for the feedback. The reason I was thinking the 5'7 over the 5'8 was that sometimes I feel there is a little too much float in the rail of my EVO and OMNI and I'd really like a board that is sinking into the water when doing turns. I know that it could also be to do with the float in the epoxy constructions of the boards. Thanks again for your advice. I'll stick with the 5'7. Cheers.
you just answered your question for sure!! 5'7 should work perfect for you, have fun with the board, it will work incredible in the waves you are surfing!
Hi ..
I saw your review for the Tomo Evo and you seemed super excited and said it was great for intermediate , average or beginner surfers . I’d be intermediate and am thinking of buying an Evo . I much prefer the look of this model but is it your belief that it will still help out an average surfer to Surf Better as much or nearly as much as the Evo ??
Although this board will work for someone who is average i think the EVO will be more enjoyable for you where you at in surfing. It is more forgiving then the sci-fi and you can get an EVO that has a lot of volume so it will float you but it will still be short so easy to turn for you. Hope that helps, thanks!
Hi mate, i am about to buy a sci fi 5'8 but im scared that the 27.7 litres of volume are going to be too much..
Im 16yo 6'0 for 150 pounds and my performance shortboard is 5'11 for 26.6l
So as a groveller should i choose the sci fi in 5'8 or i should hit another size ?
Thanks !!
If your performance board is a poly at 26.6 you can go with either the 5'8 or the 5'7. The epoxy build does give the boards a tiny bit extra float in my opinion. I like to ride boards between 27-28.5 liters of volume and the 5'8 floated me fine. I will say you are a couple inches taller then me though so the 5'7 might feel a little short if you are not used to riding shorter boards? My gut is telling me you should stick with the 5'8 if i had to choose one of the two. Hope i didn't confuse you friend, thanks for watching the reviews!
i usually ride 34 litres, but want to use this board like a step up for waves 3-7 foot. so going to buy the 6'1. what do you think?
I would be careful going to big because the board will be wider and won't fit in the pocket as well. I know your looking to get a little more float for your step up to help with paddling but ideally a step up board should be similar width to your standard short board just taller and thicker. That being said the Sci-Fi is a pretty versatile board, it could work fine for what your trying to do just be aware it might not turn as well being a bit wider wider. Hope that helps, thanks for watching!
Great review! I am have trouble figuring out whether to get a Sci-Fi or JS Blak Box II...I already have a Hypto Krypto and am looking for something different under my feet. Any suggestions??
Those are both great boards, you can't go wrong either way honestly. If it was me, having ridden them both, i would personally go with the Sci-Fi because i think its a little more versatile overall and because i have sold so many to all types of different surfers and they have all been stoked on that board. Hope that helps, thanks for watching!
Hi there. When will you be doing a review on the Omni? I'm trying to decide between the sci-fi and the omni. Thanks man.
don't have one planned honestly, the main difference is i would consider the Sci-fi a much more everyday useable board. It works in a huge variety of conditions where as the Omni needs a little more wave to make it work. If you want an everyday all around Tomo you should look at the EVO if you haven't already got one, in my opinion thats the best "all around" stub nose Tomo that exists. hope that helps, thanks for watching!!
Hi Mr. just wanna ask for a question，if I already have a hypto crypto，which board will be more resonable to buy at the moment？Scifi？Banana ？ or Dhd dx1？cheers！
Sci-fi will be most user friendly out of the 3 and still give you great performance, DX-1 is one of my favorites but it is still pretty much a high performance shortboard that needs a decent wave to work good. Don't get the Banana unless you are only using it in powerful hollow waves! thanks for watching!
Hi
I could really use some sizing help with the sci Fi.
I am 42 years old 155-160 pounds in great physical shape and have been surfing for 25+ years and usually ride boards around 26L.
I am contemplating the 5'7'' or 5'8'' sci fi.
I picked up a used 5'7'' from the local shop to demo and tried it in condition in wich Iusually wouldn't ride a shortboard but a fish.
I floated me well and got into waves and felt pretty fast but I couldn't really get the feel for it or put it on rail and I have to decide asap between 5'7'' and 5'8''.
I fear the 5'8'' will feel to bulky and bouyant (they don't have one in stock so that I could feel it).
What are your thoughs ? any help and input would be appreceated/
Thanks a lot and keep up the great job I love your reviews
David
The main question is the volume and where you want to be with that. I'm 38 and about 160-165 and i ride the 5'8 Sci-fi in the review above. I feel like that has more then enough float for me at 27.7 liters but i like that, my target volume is 27-28.5 liters usually. If you liked the float of the 5'7 you demo'd and it caught waves easily then i think that will translate well into better surf for you. Go with your gut on this one, with your weight and fitness level i'm thinking 5'7 but you know yourself better then i do. Also keep in mind, pretty big difference between 26.2 liters and 27.7 so once again if 5'7 paddled and caught mushy waves easy then it should be fine with a little more push to the waves. Thanks for the kind words, let me know how it goes!
I went with the 5'7'' and I'm glad I did.
It took me a few sessions to get used to it and I am learning to ride it well and fine tuning, but bottom line is the board is mental.
Thanks for the input and review and keep up the awesome work
Awesome!! glad you liked it man, and glad i could help! appreciate the kind words and once again thanks for watching'
Just about to pull the trigger today on on 5-7 0r 8. How has this board been for you?
I'm coming off a 5.6 by 18 and 3/8 squash tail and I'm looking for a tail shape with alot of release and drive and can't decide between this and a square tail I'm surfing from about 2-6 foot waves on average
I usually consider squash tail's really easy to release with a lot of drive but i also use large fins 99% of the time? The Sci-Fi tail feels similar to a squash but it turns and bites the wave a little differently. I wouldn't say it releases off the top any easier then a squash tail though. Try the Large, or if you are under 160 lbs the medium, AM fin. That thruster set up has the best combination of drive and release for the majority of boards i ride, FCS and Future both make the template. You would probably want to go down to a 5'5 or maybe even 5'4 with the Sci-Fi if you went that route. Thanks for watching review!!
Sunrise Surf Shop thank you so much for the feedback it means alot
Hi is the Scu-fi made in Asia like the hypto & lost carbon rap ? Thank you
Yes and No. The hypto krypto is mass produced by Global surf industries in a facility that makes all kinds of surfboards, SUPs, windsurfers etc... Firewire built and operates their own facility in Thailand that has a US or AUS representative present year round to maintain quality control over all aspects of construction. Both are made in Asia but they are made under totally different circumstances. You can have CW built in California from Lost and I highly recommend going that route and paying a little more versus getting one of theirs built in Thailand. Thanks for watching reviews, hope that helps!
What size was this board? and can you give me an estimate of the guy surfing its height and weight are? Thank you
Stock 5'8 x 19 x 2 7/16 with a volume of 27.7 and I am 5'10 160lbs. Don't be scared to go a tiny bit big on this model if you aren't sure about your volume or if dimensions don't line up with your usual volume. I think this would still be a really fun board if it was a liter more of volume for me. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching
Hey,
I'm 6'2, weight 80kg and am on intermediate surf level. Should I go for a 6'0 or 6'1?
At your weight i think the 6'0 will be plenty of board for you. I believe its 33.7 liters or so? If you have another board you like and it has volume on it let me know, otherwise I am confident the 6'0 will have plenty of float for you. If anything you might be able to go a little smaller? Hope that helps, thanks for watching!
Sunrise Surf Shop I have a 6'4 Dominator with around 41 litres.
Hey great video. I am looking Into getting a sci fi to. Can you help me as I am have trouble finding the right size in the sci fi for myself. I am 30 years old 167.4 pounds 5'9" hight, living in the UK what size do you think is good for me I was told a 5'7 might be to small and maybe a 5'10 what do you think?????
well i ride a 5'8 and i am 160 so i agree that the 5'7 is going to be too small for sure. the volume does jump a bit between each size so I would be looking at a 5'9 if i were you. now depending on how experienced you are, what you are currently riding etc.. it might not be a bad idea to go up to the 5'10 if you need a little more stability. It will still feel loose and maneuverable i am sure and if you are in wetsuits all the time the 5'10 might give you that tiny bit of extra float you need. Hope that helps, thanks for watching!
Thank you for the reply just one last thing. I am a bit off a biggnnier I can't afford to buy more then one board is it impossible to start with this as my board already been looking at others but this one come up as one of the best. any advice??? and thanks again really appreciate your input
not impossible, this board has a lot of fullness and stability for being a "shortboard" so to speak. Of course shortboards are not ideal for learning so with that being said i would definitely say go to the 5'10 or even 6'0 Sci-Fi if you are a beginner. Honestly if you are a total beginner it would not hurt to even look at a 6'2 sci-fi, even more float and stability and will still feel really maneuverable compared to like a 8 or 9 ft beginner board.
Sunrise Surf Shop thanks again for your input I has really helped me to better understand things, as I felt that the wind was taken away when some other shops told me no way that it would not be a good idea and i kind off had my heart on this board. I think I am going to try out the sci go 1st be 4 I but just in case. Thanks again man you just got a new sub looking forward to see more videos will keep u posted ;)
I would expect that, the shops just don't want you to waste money on a board that is too advanced for where you are. They are doing the right thing its just that one thing i know about surfing is its a mental game, if you are determined and you really want a sci-fi you have a good chance of being successful on a sci-fi. Just dont be scared to get one thats 6'0-6'3 range, the bigger the board the easier it is going to be. Keep me posted in the future on how it works for you!
Are you also going to do a video on the new firewire SKX and maybe compare it to the SCI FI to see which one is better???? And what are your thoughts on the new firewire SKX????
We will probably be doing one on the Slater Gamma board but not sure about the SKX model. It is a great looking board for sure but it is a performance model, definitely not a good board for a beginner. It just doesn't have the width and volume of the sci-fi so it would be way to hard to learn on.
The big question:
What are really the different between sci-fi and evo?
And if you'd choose one, which will be?
The main difference is the sizes you ride each of them. Since you have to go shorter with the EVO then the SF it just feels a lot different under your feet (my Evo was a 5'3 my SF is a 5'8) They are both fast, maneuverable performance boards that surf somewhat similar but the SF has a little more of the traditional feel with a zing, the Evo is just a different board altogether. If i had to pick one to be stuck on an island with it would definitely be the Sci-Fi. Hope that helps, thanks for watching!!
what is your weight? i try to get the right size for me! cheers
i weigh 160 and am 5'10. The volume of 5'8 i have is 27.7 and is perfect
weight 154 and 5'11
you could go anywhere between 5'7-5'9 depending on what you currently like as your volume and what you are used to. honestly 5'8 is probably your best bet, if you like low volume then the 5'7 should work also
yo brah a quick comparative between V3 steal and sci-fi ? any comment will be appreciated
cheers love the reviews
I would say the main difference is the bottom contour on the sci-fi with the concave channels but other then that they are similar boards to an extent. Wish i could help more but honestly I have never rode the V3 stealth so not super familiar with that board.
Great reviews
Thanks man! appreciate you watching them
how big is that sci-fi you tested?
it is the 5'8 stock dims off the rack, 19' wide and 2 7/16 thick with 27.7 for volume. I like shortboards for good waves to be right at 27 and grovelers to be about 28 to 28.5 so it actually lands right in the middle volume wise.
cool...I've bought a 6.1 sci-fi but didn't use it yet. looking forward for a nice day though
awesome! let us know how you like it when you ride it, thanks for watching!
Whats your weight and how did the 6'1" work out. im 185 and considering the 6'1"
good job, but waitingo for OMNI test drive.
thank you sir' appreciate you tuning in. OMNI review will be coming soon!
You still have Slater Designs Sci-fi?
Yes sir, i still have mine personally and we have a rack full of them in the shop. Let me know if you have any specific questions about them. Thanks for tuning in!
Hold up is this pier bowl
Test the Omni :)
Thanks for tuning in! We have had a few requests for that so we will try to work it in!
toe-moe surfboards
Look a crab on a surfboard 😂, no credit for stu Kennedy (who shredded snapper to bits) who developed it with tomo.
Well basically you would be living under a rock to not know about Stu Kennedy and Snapper at the beginning of last year. Lets be honest, he is the only reason that everybody is talking about this shape. As far as credit, i know Tomo and i know neither he nor Stu are concerned with getting credit from a "crab on a surfboard" like myself. Think they both have bigger things to worry about. Thanks for tuning in and increasing our views though, cheers!
Ripping
It's pronounced TomO not ToeMo....
You dropped in on that little kid man --Not very nice.
It was an accident, I apologized and gave him another wave later on so it was all good. Local pier grom, cool kid, thanks for your concern and for watching review! Appreciate it'
Hey- I was only joking -- I'm a shaper myself (Richard Mason Surfboards-- Port Lincoln South Australia ) & was just checking out your channel ( nice by the way ) Guess I better Subscribe Ha Ha. So now we are mates & I shall look forward to future Posts of your Test Drives. --- Sponsor the Kid-- He'll love you for it. --Probably end up being World Champ.
haha!! that is hilarious! I should for sure. Thanks for the kind words Richard, it means a lot coming from somebody who builds surfboards for a living. We have been in a brutal flat spell lately but definitely have some new boards lined up for reviews coming soon. Thanks again for watching!