Firewire Mindcraft by Tomo x Kelly Slater: The Complete Guide

The Tomo x Kelly Slater Collaboration

The Firewire Mindcraft represents something special in the surfboard world—the first collaboration between Daniel Thomson (Tomo) and 11-time world champion Kelly Slater in several years. When two of surfing's most innovative minds come together, the result is a board that challenges conventional shortboard design while remaining remarkably approachable.

Tomo, known for his unconventional approach to surfboard design, has built a reputation on parallel outlines and compact, volume-efficient shapes. Kelly, with decades of competitive experience and an obsession with equipment refinement, brought specific ideas about tail configuration and overall feel. The Mindcraft is the direct result of their combined expertise—a minimalist design optimized for pure function.

Design Philosophy and Shape Breakdown

The Mindcraft was designed to connect the surfer to their equipment like never before. According to Tomo, the outline was chosen for its minimalism and pure function—a seamless blend of straightened and elliptical curves that provides speed, drive, and pinpoint precision.

The Torpedo Nose

One of the Mindcraft's most distinctive features is its elliptical torpedo nose, reminiscent of Tomo's Hydronaut design. This pulled-in, bullet-shaped nose serves multiple purposes. It shortens the swing weight of the board, allowing for quicker direction changes. It also maximizes the functional area within a compact length, meaning you can ride a shorter board without sacrificing paddle power.

The Bump Wing Round Tail

The tail configuration was Kelly Slater's brainchild. The bump wing combined with a round tail creates an interesting dynamic—the bump breaks up the rail line and provides a release point right behind the front fins. This allows for a tight tail template that initiates easily, while the round tail delivers the smooth, flowing feel Kelly has always loved in his boards.

The bump wing serves another critical function: it allows Tomo to maintain a straighter rail line through the center of the board where you need drive from your front foot, while still creating release and pivot off the back foot.

Parallel Outline

True to Tomo's design philosophy, the Mindcraft features his signature parallel outline. This approach distributes volume throughout the board and maximizes the planing surface, allowing surfers to ride several inches shorter than their standard shortboard while maintaining paddle efficiency.

Bottom Contours Explained

The Mindcraft's bottom contours represent a deliberate departure from Tomo's typically complex designs. While many Tomo shapes feature quad inside single concave or other intricate configurations, the Mindcraft starts simple—by design.

This single-to-double concave configuration keeps the design engaged with the wave face while still offering the lively response Tomo's boards are known for. The smooth, continuous bottom contours are more subtle, offering plenty of speed and flow with a moderate performance rocker.

Tomo mentioned that subsequent models are planned with more complex bottom contours to give the design longevity and different performance options. But for now, this initial version lets the traditional design elements—the outline, rocker, and rail configuration—do the heavy lifting.

Ideal Wave Range and Performance

The Mindcraft is built for small to mid-range surf, making it an excellent daily driver for most conditions. According to Tomo, it works well in pretty small and gutless waves, but really hits its stride in quality surf with some push.

Front-Foot Friendly Design

One of the Mindcraft's most appealing characteristics is its accessibility. Unlike traditional high-performance shortboards that demand constant back-foot engagement, the Mindcraft allows for more front-footed surfing. Tomo himself is a front-foot oriented surfer, coming from a down-the-line point break background.

This makes the Mindcraft particularly appealing for surfers who tend to be more front-footed. You don't need to be constantly on the tail to generate speed—the board's moderate rocker and volume distribution create natural acceleration down the line.

Who Should Ride the Mindcraft?

Based on Tomo's description, the Mindcraft is designed to be approachable across a range of skill levels—not just for elite surfers. Here's who will get the most out of this board:

The Mindcraft bridges the gap between pure performance shortboards and more forgiving alternative shapes. Its moderate rocker, generous volume-to-length ratio, and front-foot friendly design make it accessible, while the bump wing tail and responsive outline still deliver when you want to push your surfing.

Fin Setup and Recommendations

The Mindcraft comes with five fin boxes, allowing it to be ridden as either a quad or a thruster. While it's designed to work equally well in both configurations, Tomo shared his personal preference after extensive testing.

Recommended Fin Templates

Kelly Slater typically rides his Slater Designs Endorfins KSR rake template or the Endorfins KS1 pivot template on the Mindcraft. These fins are designed specifically to complement Slater Designs shapes.

The decision between thruster and quad ultimately comes down to conditions and personal preference. In punchy, quality surf where you want control and the ability to engage the lip, go thruster. In softer, weaker conditions where speed generation is the priority, the quad configuration shines.

ProFlex vs. I-Bolic 2.0 Constructions

The Mindcraft is available in two distinct constructions, each offering different performance characteristics and price points. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right version for your surfing.

ProFlex Construction (Mindcraft X)

ProFlex represents Firewire's newest and highest-performance carbon construction. It's designed for surfers who want maximum response and the lightest possible weight.

The ProFlex construction delivers superior strength and performance through its carbon integration. The Tectonic diamond pattern provides structural integrity while allowing controlled flex, resulting in a board that feels lively and responsive under your feet.

I-Bolic 2.0 Construction

I-Bolic 2.0 is Firewire's refined fiberglass construction, offering a more traditional flex pattern at an accessible price point.

Which Construction Should You Choose?

Choose ProFlex if you prioritize maximum performance, want the lightest possible board, and surf powerful conditions where responsiveness matters. The carbon construction excels in quality waves where you're pushing your surfing.

Choose I-Bolic 2.0 if you want a more traditional flex feel, prioritize durability, or are looking for excellent value. The fiberglass construction handles everyday surf beautifully and offers a familiar feel underfoot.

Size Charts and Volume Guide

The Mindcraft packs generous volume into a compact shape, allowing most surfers to ride 2-4 inches shorter than their standard shortboard. Tomo himself provides a useful reference point for sizing.

Mindcraft X (ProFlex) Size Chart

Mindcraft (I-Bolic 2.0) Size Chart

Recommended Accessories

To get the most out of your Mindcraft, pair it with accessories designed specifically for Slater Designs boards.

Frequently Asked Questions