Slater Designs DRK I-Bolic 2.0 Surfboard

Kelly's FRK shapes went unchanged until 2022 for the Barra de la Cruz event when he wanted to change the rail and foil to be more balanced under his chest. And then once more before a trip to J-Bay in 2023, when he asked Dan to push the wide point forward making the back half of the board more narrow than the FRK, allowing for a more elliptical, pulled-in tail. More narrow meant more sensitivity, and more need to be on top of your game.

Dan on the Stab In The Dark X project, "it was a simple decision that this was my best shape for him. The board looked insane under his feet. He could put it wherever he wanted and he didn't have to think about it. Kelly not thinking about the board is when he is free to fly. When he is flying, we all win."

As he does with all of Kelly's shapes, Dan made the fin cluster conducive to changing between Quad and Thruster configurations. Kelly's been riding with his all-new Slater Designs Endorfins KSR Fin Set.

Wave Type
The DRK was designed for good waves and high-performance surfing. The best conditions for the shape are punchy waves in the head-high to little bit overhead range, in nuggety waves - the more round the wave the more the DRK seems to light up in transition and through turns. That said as you'll see in the Stab In The Dark X series, it's surprisingly versatile in less-than-ideal conditions.

Board Features
The shape is similar to the FRK - a very similar outline, but with a slightly changed rail and foil to be more balanced under his chest than the FRK. The bottom contours, rocker, and fin cluster are all very similar to the FRK, a deliberate choice by Dan to not change the features that make the FRK such a good board. The second refinement Dan and Kelly made from the FRK was to push the wide point forward to allow for the tail to be pulled in slightly, adding increased sensitivity and responsiveness.

I-Bolic 2.0 Core Technology

I-Bolic 2.0 is Firewire’s second-generation composite technology — designed to deliver maximum strength-to-weight performance, tuned controlled flex, and long-term durability. Unlike traditional PU boards that rely on a central wood stringer, I-Bolic 2.0 features a patented composite I-Beam stringer system combined with high-density parabolic rails, distributing flex energy throughout the entire structure. The result is a lively, responsive, and incredibly durable surfboard that maintains consistent performance session after session.

The I-Bolic blanks undergo 3 shaping stages:

1. CNC-cut EPS core
2. Deck cut I-Beam and deck installation
3. Rail and bottom cut
4. Final finish shaping

I-Bolic 2.0 Technology Core
At the heart of I-Bolic 2.0 is a 1.5 lb fused-cell EPS core, precision-milled and engineered through a combination of high-density foam and lightweight EPS that internally balances buoyancy with rebound response. Running through the center is the I-Beam stringer, constructed from GR-80 aerospace-grade high-density foam. This core beam is capped with 2.0 lb high-density EPS flanges on both the roof and floor — creating a true I-Beam geometry that controls both torsional flex and longitudinal stiffness.

Flanking the structure, 2.0 lb high-density EPS parabolic rail inserts provide progressive flex control and reinforcement through the turn radius, allowing the board to store and release energy efficiently. The deck skin is made from MPP (Modified Polypropylene) and is bonded to the top deck using a 2.5 oz e-glass, enhancing bond strength and durability while providing a smooth, consistent flex response across the surface. A 2 inch Engineered Carbon Fiber Inset Tape runs along the bottom deck rocker for longitudinal strength and durability.

All components are bonded through a vacuum-laminated sandwich process using Entropy Bio Resin, the same plant-based epoxy system used across all Firewire and Slater Designs boards, ensuring consistent flex integrity, lower VOC emissions, and superior environmental performance.

I-Bolic Technology Materials

• Core Foam: 1.5 lb Fused-cell EPS (lightweight + high-density blend)
• I-Beam Stringer: GR-80 aerospace high-density foam
• I-Beam Caps (Roof & Floor): 2.0 lb high-density EPS flange
• Parabolic Rail Inserts: 2.0 lb high-density EPS
• Deck Skin: MPP (Modified Polypropylene) bonded with 1.8 oz epoxy fiber cloth
• Top Deck Lamination: 1 x 4 oz fiberglass layer
• Bottom Deck Lamination: 2 x 4 oz fiberglass layers + 2" engineered carbon fiber inset tape
• Resin System: Entropy Bio Resin (plant-based epoxy)
• Outer Shell Finish: 2K UV Stability Spray Finish (keeps the board white longer and prevents yellowing)

Freshwater Performance & Buoyancy
EPS foam performs better in freshwater wave pools due to its higher relative gravity profile, which provides superior buoyancy. EPS/epoxy boards deliver approximately 2–3% more net flotation than PU boards of the same volume in freshwater, where reduced water density affects board lift.

Example estimates (freshwater, same volume):

• 30 L board: EPS +2.2% lift advantage (~0.6 kg)
• 35 L board: EPS +2.2% lift advantage (~0.7 kg)

I-Bolic 2.0 Technology Key Tech

• GR-80 Aerospace I-Beam Stringer: Central beam distributes flex and resists torsion.
• 2.0 lb HD EPS I-Beam Flanges: Enhance stiffness along top and bottom planes.
• 2.0 lb HD Parabolic Rails: Maintain rebound energy and flex control through turns.
• MPP Deck Skin + 1.8 oz Epoxy Fiber Layer: Maximizes bond strength and surface durability.
• 1 x 4 oz Top Deck Lamination / 2 x 4 oz Bottom Deck Lamination: Balanced flex and reinforced structure.
• 2" Engineered Carbon Fiber Inset Tape: Runs along the bottom deck rocker for longitudinal strength and durability.
• Entropy Bio Resin System: Used in all Firewire boards for high strength, durability, and sustainability.
• 2K UV Stability Spray Finish: Keeps the board white for longer and protects from UV degradation.

I-Bolic 2.0 Summary
I-Bolic 2.0 delivers a crisp, responsive feel — fast and energetic underfoot with exceptional control and strength. It combines the lightness of EPS with the precision and power of a structural composite, giving surfers that “connected yet alive” feeling unique to Firewire technologies.