Surfing Waves

Hi,

I'm looking to get the FireWire Gem longboard for here on Long Island. I'm 200 lbs so I think I'm going to get the 9'8 79.6 liters size but I am unsure on which construction to get. Looks like they offer two types- both in helium core but the options are either fiberglass or timbertek lamination. What are the differences and what would you recommend?

Hello, never tried the helium core but the fiberglass construction seems similar to the older FST models of which I have had several and was ok with the feel and flex. I have had 3 or 4 timbertek boards in the past and always found them too stiff and heavier than FST but heavy in a weird boaty way which didn’t help in chop but just made it feel sluggish compared to a FST board.

A couple of other considerations; the timbertek boards that I have had have all been shortboards which would flex less than a longer board. Also, timbertek is a hardy construction; the boards I had were used and even when I was selling them on they hardly had any deck compressions. They were there but hardly. I llke surftech type eps boards for my longboards; timbertek might be better in a longboard as well. If popularity means anything the timbertek boards were sold out in almost every length in the link you gave. I'd go for timbertek for a longboard given the choice.

Okay so weird question.

I just picked up the Gem in timbertek.

But now I’m wondering is this full timbertek or is helium with timbertek lamination ?

It looks like helium with timber lam is new for 2024?

I see vids on YT of this word with the wood deck from 5 years ago.

I’m just wondering if I got the older construction or it’s the new helium. Cause it looks like both look the same with the wood veneer