Some boards feel good from the very first wave. Others take time to figure out. For Noah Arkfeld, the Firewire Slater Designs Spaceship didn’t take long to earn a permanent spot in his quiver.
After putting it through turns, airs, and barrels, one thing became clear.
“I’d say this board is one of the best boards I’ve used. It was already a magic board to me.”
Quick Verdict
Best for: Intermediate to advanced surfers riding chest-high waves and above.
Excels in:
- Fast down-the-line speed
- Responsive rail-to-rail surfing
- Tight pocket turns
- Barrels
- Progressive surfing and airs
About the Firewire Slater Designs Spaceship
Designed by Mike Woo and ridden by Kelly Slater during his memorable Kirra sessions in 2024, the Firewire Slater Designs Spaceship was built for quality waves. It combines speed, control, and responsiveness in a high-performance shortboard that feels equally at home at reef breaks, point breaks, and punchy beach breaks.
One of the standout design features is its rounded pin tail, offering excellent hold through
committed turns while maintaining the lively feel needed for progressive surfing.
Noah’s First Impressions
The board Noah tested measured 5’11”, and from the first few sessions, he noticed how
naturally it suited his surfing.
“The turns feel lighter, the board feels really fast, and I can go higher on my airs.”
One session stood out in particular.
“I landed a tail-high air reverse with a grab, and coming out of it just felt so good.”
For Noah, the Spaceship offered both confidence and responsiveness without sacrificing control.
Performance Breakdown
Speed
The Spaceship generates speed effortlessly, making it easy to drive down the line while
maintaining flow through every section.
Turning
Its rounded pin tail gives the board confidence through committed rail turns while still allowing quick direction changes in tighter pockets.
Barrels
According to Noah, one of the biggest surprises was how stable the board felt inside the tube, allowing him to focus on reading the wave rather than managing the board.
Airs
The lightweight construction gave Noah the confidence to push his airs higher while still feeling composed on landing.
Who is the Spaceship For?
The Firewire Slater Designs Spaceship is best suited for surfers seeking a performance shortboard for quality surf.
Ideal conditions include:
- Chest-high waves and above
- Point breaks
- Reef breaks
- Punchy beach breaks
If your surfing focuses on speed, powerful turns, barrels, and progressive manoeuvres, this board is well worth considering.
Final Thoughts
Not every surfboard earns the title of a “magic board.”
For Noah, the Firewire Slater Designs Spaceship delivered from the very first sessions. Between its speed, responsiveness, and stability, it quickly became one of the most enjoyable boards he’s ridden.
If you’re looking for a high-performance shortboard built for quality waves, the Spaceship is one to put on your shortlist.
Check out Noah's review of the board here:
Shop the Firewire Slater Designs Spaceship
Available now at KS Boardriders.
Also available in-store at:
- KS Boardriders Surf Shop Siargao
- Vissla Surf Shop
Editor’s Note
This review is based on Noah Arkfeld’s experience riding the Firewire Slater Designs Spaceship in Siargao. Surfboard performance can vary depending on the surfer, conditions, and board dimensions.
