Meet the newest addition to the FRK quiver. Crafted to unlock performance in waves 5′ and under, Dan Mann designed the FRK Swallow to be more versatile in its performance characteristics than any other FRK shape that came before it.
In addition to the new swallow tail design, Dan placed an emphasis on better distributing the volume directly between the surfer’s stance and worked with Kelly to amplify the effect of the outline in the back third of the board against all-new rocker curves – both down the shape’s centerline and on its rails. By specifically perfecting the curve at the board’s center when compared with the curve at the rails, the FRK Swallow excels at creating speed in flat, sticky sections, without sacrificing on-rail performance.
Amongst the Slater Designs team, the unanimous feedback has been that the FRK Swallow feels better during downcarves and in fin releases than any other Slater Designs shape.
Designed to be surfed 2″ shorter than the FRK and 1″ shorter than the FRK+. Recommended to pair with our Endorfins KS1 Fin Set for best performance.
Wave Type
Designed for waves 5 foot and under, Dan Mann designed the FRK Swallow to be the most versatile in performance in the FRK range. With an emphasis in better distributing the volume directly beneath the surfer’s stance, the FRK Swallow excels at creating speed in flat, sticky sections, without sacrificing on-rail performance. Meant to be ridden 2″ shorter than the FRK and 1″ shorter than the FRK+. Despite Dan’s original design intention to optimize the FRK Swallow for smaller waves, the team quickly validated its performance versatility in everything from knee-high T Street to well-overhead Oaxaca.
Board Features
Compared to the rest of the FRK quiver, Dan worked to better distribute the volume directly beneath the surfer’s stance, updated the outline and rocker profile, and worked with Kelly to amplify the effect of the outline in the back third of the board against the all-new rocker curves. This rail rocker through the back third of the board was specifically paired with a swallow tail to enable precise rail work uncommon in small wave shortboards. Each tip of the swallow tail enables hold beyond what a squash tail would allow when carving on rail, because of the surface area reduction in the last several inches of the board when compared to a squash tail.
