Firewire Surfboards is thrilled to introduce the Xtra Cado by Rob Machado, a midlength evolution of his best-selling Machadocado. Celebrating the launch, Machado brings the Xtra Cado to life in a short film that pairs fluid, expressive surfing with a tongue-in-cheek skit – underscoring the board’s fun-first approach.
Rob started with his best-selling Machadocado and stretched out the outline to its midlength form, creating a straighter outline for added glide and flow. He pulled down the rail from the domed deck to give it plenty of performance, and double concave with vee through the center that enhances control and ease of use. The wide squash tail is thinly foiled – just like the Machadocado – allowing for smooth rail-to-rail transitions, long drawn-out turns, and tight pocket maneuvering.
“I have this real attraction to boards in this midlength realm. It’s not a longboard and it’s not a shortboard. It’s somewhere in between. It’s for the days when you don’t feel like trying as hard as other days, or when the waves just don’t give you the green light to try and rip. Maybe you just want to glide into a few waves and draw out a couple longer turns, and maybe that’s all it is, for simplifying the day,” says Machado.
Rob continues on the Xtra Cado, “It’s a board with plenty of foam to get up and gliding with a deep single concave that quickly turns into a double concave with some panels down the rails to make the transitions easier. The shape’s outline is pleasing to the eye, with a semi-rounded nose and a smooth squash tail, following in the footsteps of the Machadocado.”
Board Features:
This shape carries generous volume, the foam is concentrated through the center beneath the domed deck, and refined rails for added performance when needed. It offers a smooth side-to-side feel while maintaining lift, paired with a wide squash tail that foils into a thin, responsive rail through the tail – similar to the Machadocado and other Machado designs. The result blends the user-friendly nature of a midlength with the versatility of a performance surfboard.
Wave Type:
The Xtra Cado was meant to ride smaller, gutless waves with lots of glide and float. But, because of the performance elements that Rob brought to the shape (pulled down, thin rails, five fin box cluster, double concave with vee), this shape works quite well in larger surf too.
Technology:
Helium Core with Fiberglass Lamination: A stringerless EPS core with flex controlled at the rails made from Paulownia and Balsa wood and Firewire’s proprietary deckskins – this construction is light and lively underfoot, and excellent at generating speed in everyday waves.
Configuration:
The Xtra Cado is built with 5 fin boxes for unlimited fin configuration options. You can ride it as a Quad in some bigger surf, as a Twin in some small surf, or as a Thruster when you wanna rip.
Sizes Available:
6’6″ x 20 3/4″ x 2 9/16″ x 38.7L
6’8″ x 21″ x 2 1/2″ x 39.3L
7’0″ x 21 1/2″ x 2 5/8″ x 44.4L
7’2″ x 21 3/4″ x 2 11/16″ x 47.1L
7’6″ x 21 7/8″ x 2 3/4″ x 50.6L
Rob’s been riding his stock 6’8″ Xtra Cado with his Machado Seaside Quad Fin Set, and other team riders have been enjoying this shape with his Machado 2 + 1 Fin Set.
MSRP:
$995 – $1,125
Firewire’s Demo Days provide a unique opportunity for surfers to test drive the Xtra Cado. Eventually, it will join the Firewire Fleets, a global premium surfboard rental program through a select network of surf shops.
About Firewire Surfboards and Slater Designs:
Founded in 2006, Firewire Surfboards’ mission is to inspire and enhance the surfing experience through innovative, high quality surf products made with the least environmental impact. Today, Firewire Surfboards and Slater Designs are distributed in more than 60 countries worldwide, offering leading designs by some of the world’s most talented surfboard Designers.
