Firewire Xtra-Cado: The ultimate all-round surfboard

Equipment Review: The Firewire X-tra Cado, the ultimate new mid-length board from Rob Machado

If you’re looking for the ideal board to maximise your surfing enjoyment this summer, Firewire Surfboards has just made a big splash. Designed by style icon and free-surfing legend Rob Machado, the Firewire X-tra Cado is the official mid-length evolution of his famous shortboard, the Machadocado.

The concept is simple: stretch the lines of a ‘small wave weapon’ to create an ultra-smooth, stable and accessible ride for everyone, without compromising on performance.

The secrets of its shape:

• XXL glide and paddle: With an elongated outline and straighter lines, the board offers exceptional buoyancy. It allows you to catch waves very early and glide effortlessly over the slackest sections, establishing itself as an excellent alternative to the longboard.

• Rob’s performance touch: Unlike traditional mid-length boards, which are often too stiff, the X-tra Cado features a domed deck with very thin, low-profile rails. This delivers stunning responsiveness and rail-to-rail transitions of astonishing fluidity.

• Magical hull: The underside of the board features a deep single concave that transitions into a double concave with a V-shape at the tail. This is the secret to generating instant speed whilst maintaining total control through turns.

• Lightweight and dynamic: Built using Firewire’s renowned Helium technology (high-density EPS foam and parabolic wooden rails), the board is extremely lightweight, sturdy and responsive underfoot.

Who is this board for?

It’s an ultra-versatile board aimed at a very wide range of surfers: from beginners nearing the end of their learning curve (intermediate surfers) looking for comfort and stability, right through to experienced or expert surfers who want to cruise in style and carve out long, sweeping turns on days with small waves.

In what conditions should you use it?

It excels in waves ranging from knee-high to shoulder-high (in soft waves, summer beach breaks or long point breaks). Thanks to its performance characteristics, it can also surprise you and hold its own in slightly bigger, hollower waves.

Fin configuration (5-box setup):

The X-tra Cado is highly customisable to suit your mood on the day:

• Quad: Rob Machado’s favourite setup for maximum speed, acceleration and stability.

• Twin (or 2+1): For a freer, more playful and ‘skatey’ feel in small conditions.

• In Thruster: For classic foot placements and a more vertical ride.

The blog’s verdict: The Firewire X-tra Cado successfully combines the comfort of a mid-length with the manoeuvrability of a hybrid shortboard. It’s the perfect board to keep you smiling in the line-up, whatever the wave conditions!