Firewire boards design flaw?

[JWet]

These boards are reputed to be strong. I asked around online, but got the usual kaleidoscope of responses…everything from “They’re terrible boards” to “It must be a freak accident” to “it must be a unique design flaw”…which is to say, they were no real help. Here are some photos. The cracks appear to follow the grain of the wood—especially what appears to be an inserted chunk of bamboo. Anyone seen this before?

[oldmansurfer]

I haven't seen that type of board before which probably represents Firewire's attempt at a more environmentally friendly board. I would be hesitant to say it's a design flaw without knowing how the board was damaged.

[waikikikichan]

So you've searched and researched many website, forums, beach locals, shop staff, etc. for answers to why you Firewire cracked. And yet you ask again on "another" forum for people's opinions, which like humans on this planet, varies greatly. Most people won't know what/how the construction make up is. But there is one place that DOES know.
So here's my advice ( just another varied opinion probably : Go to the SOURCE !! Bring up your situation DIRECTLY to Firewire. They are probably just as not happy about the crack as you are. It does seem to be a manufacturing defect/problem. Let the maker the know. Mistakes happen, even at the restaurant with a wrong order. It's then how they handle it which makes good or bad service. I once worked with someone who is now one of the production managers at Firewire. They will want to help you, instead of people just spreading rumors or hearsay on the internet.

[JWet]

Excellent point. As per your advice, I have contacted Firewire. And you're right! They were equally upset--well, maybe not quite as upset. Still, I'm glad I did my homework first.

Also...yes, I ran the board ashore...but I've been surfing for 30 years and never had this happen before. A ding I might have expected, or some scuffing.

And I did go back to the shop where I bought it. Sent them an email. Contacted them through their web site. No response. "Leave your name and number..." FYI, I don't recommend "Brave New World" in Point Pleasant, New Jersey."

[oldmansurfer]

Make sure you contact the shop one way or another. Then see what they do. Usually replacements or refunds need to go through channels like you show the receipt that you bought the board at the shop to the shop salesperson. They then contact the supplier who contacts the company or something like that. If they do nothing then contact Firewire again and ask them to replace your board and tell them the shop has not responded to you. Just curious, what kind of boards have you been riding up on the shore (and not damaging them)?

[waikikikichan]

Also...yes, I ran the board ashore...but I've been surfing for 30 years and never had this happen before. A ding I might have expected, or some scuffing.

On my previous comment, I was going to ask you for photos of the nose, to see if it was impacted. Now that I know it happened, that'll be a hard one to figure out. Impact is impact and NOT usually covered under warranty. But you will and have said that that has never happened to any of your boards in the last 30 years. So you have been "running boards into the shore for 30 years" ? Every wave is different, every angle of attack is different. How you were grabbing the rails at the time of impact differs. What torsional twists and anti-rockering from previous wipe outs and from going head over heels over the falls matters ( and putting the board deck up on your car racks. ) Some one once made a claim about if his epoxy board was suppose to be 10% stronger than a normal PU board, then why was his the only broken board that day at that particular break. Again we will never know that exact circumstances, exactly.

And I did go back to the shop where I bought it. Sent them an email. Contacted them through their web site. No response. "Leave your name and number..." FYI, I don't recommend "Brave New World" in Point Pleasant, New Jersey."

Dude, you got to relax. Has it been a few days or a few hours ? They may not have a dedicated website service manager on duty every second of the day ( unlike the great moderators on this forum !! ). Maybe the manager only gets to look at them after he closes shop. We (now) live in a world of instant gratification. Please "take it easy" and learn some "Aloha". That'll work in dealing with your immediate problem and also out in the surf.

[JWet]

Alright. Good point. I need to chill for a bit.

[JWet]

Waikikikichan,

Thanks for the sage advice. You were proven doubly right. Chuy Reyna at Firewire coached me through a repair process and is sending me some wood deck skins to go over the repair. Still no word from the shop, but Firewire certainly stands by its boards. It appears that the "Aloha" approach has its advantages. Now to incorporates some of that into my surfing...

[JWet]

What's more, I got a personal response from Kyle Murray at Brave New World, and he was very helpful. We are working together to repair the board. The "Aloha" approach works.