The surfing world has been waiting for it, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. The result of an exclusive collaboration between living legend Kelly Slater and avant-garde shaper Daniel Tomo Thomson, the Slater Designs Mindcraft is already establishing itself as this year’s must-have high-performance hybrid board.
How does this compact shortboard, packed with futuristic technology, actually perform at our European spots? We’ve analysed its shape, its paddling behaviour and its performance to give you our full review.
- A minimalist, hybrid shape by Tomo and Kelly Slater
Unlike the ultra-modern planing hulls we’ve come to expect from Daniel Thomson, the Slater Designs Mindcraft opts for a cleaner, more subtle and minimalist outline.
- The Torpedo Nose: Kelly Slater has fitted the front with a torpedo nose. Fuller than a classic shortboard, it offers very generous hidden volume beneath the chest. The result? Excellent wave entry and significantly easier paddling without getting stuck at take-off.
- Parallel, taut rails: The rail line is relatively straight. This delivers incredible speed from even the slightest push-off on the wave face.
- The Round Tail with Wings (Bumped-in): The tail of the board tapers sharply thanks to small wings (a cut-out) before finishing in a smooth round tail. This design allows for an immediate pivot and surgical control when you apply pressure to your back foot.
- I-Bolic 2.0 technology: Strength and ultra-dynamic flex
Beneath the finish, the Mindcraft features Firewire’s renowned I-Bolic 2.0 technology. This process combines a high-density EPS core with structural composite struts.
On the water, I-Bolic 2.0 delivers ultra-dynamic flex. The board stores energy during the bottom turn and releases it instantly as you exit the turn. Furthermore, this construction ensures significantly greater durability than conventional PU boards, minimising the board sinking underfoot.
- Performance on the water: Blistering speed and rapid transitions
Thanks to its hybrid outline and hull design (a slight single concave in the middle that transitions to a double concave at the tail), the ride is intuitive. The flat central section generates natural speed, whether you’re riding on your front foot or your back foot.
The Slater Designs Mindcraft excels particularly in waves ranging from 0.5 to 2 metres. The rocker offers sufficient curve at both the front and rear to tackle steep drops with ease, whilst remaining extremely manoeuvrable in softer sections.
Fitted with 5 Futures fin boxes, it reveals its full potential in a quad configuration for maximum speed down the line, although it works a treat as a thruster for fans of tight turns.
- What type of surfer is it for, and what size should you choose?
Although it’s classified as a high-performance model, the volume concealed beneath the chest makes the Mindcraft more accessible than a pure, hardcore competition shortboard.
- Experienced surfers can go a size smaller by choosing one or two inches shorter than their usual shortboard for maximum radicality.
- Intermediate to larger surfers will benefit from choosing a slightly longer board to fully enjoy its comfortable paddle.
It’s available in a wide range of sizes from 5’7” to 6’3”.
Our verdict on the Slater Designs Mindcraft
The Slater Designs Mindcraft I-Bolic 2.0 successfully combines the pure speed of a parallel shape with the radical control of a high-performance round tail. It’s the ultimate everyday hybrid board: reliable in average conditions, and explosive as soon as the waves get deeper. A technical and sustainable investment to take your everyday surfing to the next level.
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