Firewire TJ Pro Mid Futures (7'2 - 8'0) Ibolic Volcanic Tech

TJ Pro Mid Introduction

Enter the Firewire TJ Pro Mid – a collaborative masterpiece from three-time world longboard champion Taylor Jensen and renowned shaper Dan Mann. This board might just end your quest for the perfect mid-length.

Born from the DNA of the highly successfulTJ Pro longboard model, the TJ Pro Mid isn’t merely a scaled-down version. Instead, it’s a purpose-built evolution that opens new doors for surfers of all levels. Whether you’re navigating crowded lineups, teaching the groms, or looking to inject versatility into your quiver, this board brings something unique to the lineup.

Design Philosophy: Longboard DNA in a More Responsive Package

What makes the Firewire TJ Pro Mid truly unique is its origin story. Unlike other mid-lengths, which are often stretched-out shortboards, this one draws from longboard roots.

This longboard-to-mid-length transition results in:

• Enhanced stability, rooted in its longboard base.
• Superior paddle power to catch waves earlier.
• Performance rails that still allow hard, engaged turns.
• A pendulum-like nose, offering speed and balance during nose rides.

Bottom Contour and Rocker Profile

This board retains the proven bottom contour from the TJ Pro longboard: “Concave all the way through and then splits into a V with a little double barrel through the fins,” explained Mann.

The rocker profile is relatively flat at the tail, enhancing speed and flow through flatter sections. Jensen added: “That flatter tail rocker helps it skate through sections and accommodates really shitty waves too.”

Perfect for South Shore surfers facing everything from pristine peelers to sectiony breaks.

Versatile Fin Setup: Customize Your Ride

The board has a five-fin setup that works well with:

• Quad – Jensen’s pick for good surf
• 2+1 – Classic control and flow
• Single – Loose and cruisy
• Twin – Playful and skatey

Dan Mann placed the fins further forward, which:

• Shifts the pivot point forward.
• Creates a larger sweet spot.
• Increases drive and speed, even with smaller fins.

The Ibolic Technology

Firewire has spent the past year innovating newer, better construction processes for its wide range of boards—which is pretty impressive, since it already led the industry in futuristic tech. The latest option is the Ibolic Construction, which replaces the LFT construction.

Key features include:

• Center stringer (similar to what LFT had)
• High-density skin (carried over from LFT)
• I-beam design for added rigidity
• Foam rails that provide parabolic torsional flex similar to Helium

Ibolic was designed around the fact that many of Firewire’s more futuristic shapes had pretty complex bottom contours, particularly the vee quad concave bottom used on many of Tomo’s boards. This “performance hull” contour is quite involved and is difficult to glass with a bottom skin, which was the typical process used for the LFT boards.

With an 'I-Beam' high density foam stringer (hence the name) and high density parabolic rails, Ibolic has the strength and stiffness of LFT coupled with the flex and spring back of Helium. Over the course of the development process of this new technology, the involvement and feedback from Kelly and the team has been invaluable. Many hours were spent testing in all conditions and the 'go-to' models were the FRK, REVO and the Sci-Fi 2.0 Launching with the debut of Ibolic, we are featuring select sizes in the models that showcase the tech's attributes particularly well.

The Volcanic Lamination

An important clarification from Firewire: Volcanic is not a separate construction technology but rather a specialized lamination schedule or glass job. This process uses basalt cloth instead of traditional fiberglass in the lamination process. Basalt cloth is made from volcanic rock extruded at extremely high temperatures and woven into a material similar to fiberglass and carbon fiber.

The Process Behind Volcanic Lamination

The creation of Volcanic lamination begins with the crushing of volcanic rocks, which are then melted at approximately 1,500 degrees Celsius (2,730 degrees Fahrenheit) and extruded into fibers. These fibers are woven into a basalt cloth that is used in the lamination of surfboards. The process of creating this cloth is similar to that of carbon fiber, but it is inherently more sustainable and less harmful to the environment

Performance

Our most durable construction with elevated response.

This sustainable alternative to carbon is stronger than carbon and can also withstand higher temperatures than carbon, making it a top choice for the aerospace industry in the manufacturing of rockets and jet engines. It also has higher elasticity than traditional carbon, allowing the board to have more flex for a natural feel underfoot.