Michel Bourez Pro Model

[Chris]

Michel Bourez’s signature model combines speed, power and a tight turning radius in a well balanced high performance shortboard, allowing MB to approach any wave, anywhere, with the unrivaled intensity and power he is renown for. With a 4mm single concave, evenly distributed rocker from nose to tail and our Springer Technology, the MB harnesses aggression and unleashes that energy through intense on-rail maneuvers under or above the lip. If that is you, these boards are it! Ride the MB 1” to 2” shorter than your standard board.

http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/quiver_boards.php?boardid=michel_bourez

AVAIL NOW

[Chris]

http://vimeo.com/36147422

[Wandi]

Is that available in stores in Australia or just available to order with arrival in a few months
Either way, can't wait to get my hands on one

[Chris]

Hey Wandi,
You can definitely place an order for this one in AUS. Just get to your local guys and they'll help you out!!


Cheers

[Wandi]

Already done
Frothing
Thanks Chris

[bribonaco]

Is it possible to post the nose and tail dimensions for the MB 6'0"? Any sense for when it will show up online for comparing to other boards in the "Compare Boards" area of the website?

[Chris]

We're working on that now.

hang in there.

[suberimakuri]

Hi there, love the replies to questions in the forum, thank you.

This might get a bit long, but your thoughts would be much appreciated.
I'm currently trying to decide between the following as a 3-6ft (6-12ft face?) hollow/powerful wave board. Above that maybe something longer?

FMB_508Q-03 5' 8" 18 1/4" 2 5/16" squash 24.7
FMB_510Q-02 5' 10" 18 1/2" 2 5/16" squash 25.8

The 510 is longer and wider, with another litre of volume.

Our NZ dealer is really good and has a lot on order, with a 510 demo coming for sure. Not sure on 58 demo though.

I'm 174cm, 68kg, out 3-5 days a week. Fit and seem fairly intermediate compared to others in water here. Always seem to get fair share of waves but far from expert! Skateboarded for many years.
3 months ago NZ dealer sorted me out with a 59 fst lost stealth. Mostly using as thruster, from 1-5ft (2-10ft face) sucky or not waves. It's my daily driver. Love the shortness and buoyancy seems plenty. Our NZ waves have push most of the time.
I also have a 60x18 1/4x2 1/4 Webber slx thruster from ~2002. It's a fairly standard (i think) squash tail hpsb, plenty rocker, double concave, estimated volume 24-25lt. I did almost a year on this board almost exclusively. Seems float same or less than 59 stealth.

6 months ago I took the Webber to Indo (balian, medewi, lombok, ekas, mawi) and really like it on hollow waves, low width was nice backhand and with lots of rocker always make the drop.
I had another board similar to the stealth and I liked it on the less sucky/pitching waves. Was shorter (5,9") which I dig but had less rocker and with the extra width (19") got a bit hairy.
Waves in NZ seem to have just as much power and can get hollow, just mostly sand rather than reef.

The stealth is great the majority of time, but does feel like a lot of tail in hollower waves if trying to get barreled backside.
I demo'd a 510 stealth, but found it too 'corky?' when up and riding, just felt like too much board under my feet.

So... I'm kinda a bit stuck.
My gut feel is the 510 will be same volume and similar paddle to the stealth, but with more rocker and better holding tail. Almost a no brainer.
However, the 58 is not much less volume, should feel more 'skateboard' and fit in tighter places even better. I'm really tempted.

Suggestions?
What would I notice between 510 and 58?

[suberimakuri]

After thinking it over and reading all the other posts, pretty much looking at the 510, maybe 60, will demo first and go from there. the extra volume and length should help when the seas are big and paddling back to peak is heavy. It's really 4-6ft+ step up board I'm after. Thanks tho.

[prjwebb]

5'10" would be my call.

[suberimakuri]

cheers!

[jsurfer]

I just mentioned it in a thread a few days ago, but I felt comfortable this past year on a 6'1'' Lost f-1 but sold it a few months ago so I could get the 5'8'' hellfire (which I just got and have enjoyed on waist high waves- still waiting for a decent swell).

But I'm also eyeing a 5'11'' Hellrazor or 6'0'' Michael Bourez (27.7L) to have possibly for hurricane season. How would the thinner version of the 6'0'' Michel Bourez or a 5'11'' hellrazor compare to the 6'1'' Lost-F1? Seems like the 600 Michel Bourez has 1L more volume that the 601 F-1 so I wonder if the Bourez would paddle even better than the 601 f-1. OR maybe the 508 hellfire would cover that ground for me?

[prjwebb]

I'd say they are going to cover similar conditions but will ride very differently.

[jsurfer]

any more info on how they might ride differently?

[prjwebb]

The MB is going to ride more like the F1, whereas the Hellfire is more of a hybrid feel. I'd think the Hellrazor will fall somewhere between the two, but closer to the F1/MB.

[Chris]

yeah good generalization prj.

the Hellrazor obviously has the most hybrid ride to it while the F1 has the mid-90s through late 2000s narrow and longer/chippier shortboard ride to it. I think the MB rides a heck of a lot better than the F1, provides a more user-friendly paddling experience but does so without sacrificing a bit of performance. The MB is going to have a touch more rocker out of the tail than the hellrazor so its going to be the board that gives you a traditional shortboard ride with a little less length and will allow for massive power hacks and feel great in good waist to overhead surf.

The Hellrazor has a bit more width, which means more curve to the rail and it has a little less tail rocker that is offset by the step rail. It rides great, carries a little less volume but probably is a touch better in worse surf as it has a little added area to it. It makes it over flat sections surprisingly well.

Hope this helps further.

[Deon JBay]

Chris
I see you got the MB in your quiver
I'm eyeing out the 6'0" MB myself
personal thoughts on it?
I could never get it together on the Taj..is it a bit more forgiving than the Taj? less tail rocker?

[MeanGreen]

Chris
I see you got the MB in your quiver
I'm eyeing out the 6'0" MB myself
personal thoughts on it?
I could never get it together on the Taj..is it a bit more forgiving than the Taj? less tail rocker?

I had the same experience with the Taj. It felt like too much rocker, where I almost couldn't draw a turn out if I wanted to.

I'm hoping the MB is not as rockered out. Is that the case? I think I read that the MB is based on the Taj, but was hoping the rocker was a bit more relaxed.

Also, are the MBs available in stores?

[prjwebb]

Pretty sure Chris said it has the same rocker as the Taj. I didn't like the Taj on Moroccan points, so I can see why you don't love it Deon. But in usual beachies at home I love it.

[core personal training]

avail around mid/late march in oz....waiting on rocker details at the moment...hanging to get back on a rockered board...but still lurve my HF...been spending a lot of time at an isolated beach lately so will be taking both with me and can leave the spare on the beach and swap over without worry...although a huuuge eagle landed on my kids things last week..!!..so with the big eye sprayed on my boards he might dive bomb it!!!!

[prjwebb]

This might help Deon. CAD file rocker shots.
MB
375
Taj
376
Flexfire
377

[prjwebb]

Dunno why that shrunk them, bigger version available here.
http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/quiver_foils.php?boardid=foils

[Deon JBay]

thanks
but kinda hard to make out too much from the rocker shots
all look pretty similar

[prjwebb]

Yeah, if you move back from the screen a little and zone out I find you can take in the other curve of the bottom. Looks to me that the Taj and the MB have a VERY similar rocker if not the same. If there's any difference it has slightly less kick in the tail but it could easier be the thicker tail area giving that impression, but I'd put my money on them having the same rocker. The FE has a less radical rocker than both that's for sure.

[jonesey]

Can anyone describe how the springer technology affects the ride on this board? I have never ridden a Taj springer but I really like the rapid fire ride better than fst and was about to get a rapid fire 6'0 alternator, but I would like to know how the springer tech MB model compares to rapid fire? or a regular fst? This board seems way better for paddling without sacrificing any hold in large surf. I currently surf a 6'1 F1 fst and a spitfire 5'6 rapid fire. Thanks for any input.

[core personal training]

are they accurate rockers or just a foil representation..??...i always thought it was just a visual of foam distribution....

[prjwebb]

Pretty sure they are taken from the CBD style CAD files.

[core personal training]

if they are then they trick my eyes or else my magic hellfire is magic because it has half the rocker of the one in the foil pic..!!!

[prjwebb]

Hmmm in that case better ask Nev or Chris for confirmation...

[core personal training]

i've never been able to eyeball rockers, i look at them, look away, then back again and they look totally different..!!...i was born cross-eyed so i blame it on that..!!.. its my excuse for being too unco to catch a ball too..!!...so your probably right about the pics...

[prjwebb]

The FE compared to the TAJ looks very accurate to my eyes.

[core personal training]

yeah, i can see that now you have them isolated on the thread...but i look at the hybrids and they look too rockered..but again, this is probably my wonky eyes...!!..on the foil page, the MB looked like the alternator rocker to me...i give up...i work better with measurements.....

[core personal training]

jonesy, i think you posted in two threads re the springer vs rapidfire.....so i will put this answer in both...i prefer RF too..i'm heavyish and push hard and like the firmer response...but i'm getting an MB anyway...shape is your primary concern, then tech....you will also feel a bigger difference between your 2 boards because one is long and thin and the other is short and thick...having said that, the springer in my opinion is still closer to the fst flex than the rapidfire...the way i feel it is more rigidity under my front foot than fst...i would always choose rapidfire if it was an option, but getting the right board under your feet is the most important part of the mix..if you are not too heavy/dont push too hard then you will most likely find the springer firms things up enough for you

[Chris]

yeah core!

[Dented]

Looking at the FMB 510Q-02 (5'10"x18 1/2"x2 5/16") but has a tad bit too much volume. I normally ride somewhere between 25.4 - 25.6cl.

Any suggestions on where to drop some volume off the stock dims?

[prjwebb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEC0LMVkitY

[Goanna]

Very, very nice....I love the look of the meat in this board from the side view - my Futura could be under threat!

[core personal training]

here 'tis...wonder what size it is
435

[Goanna]

Core, when are they due in Australia?

[core personal training]

late march...not sure how long to hit the shops though...probably swiftly as there is a lot of interest in the model...

[core personal training]

1st march tomorrow...not long now....my birthday too.!!..

[boardshop]

Gents, This was either a 5ft 8 or 5ft 10. I think 5 ft 10 - I will dig the demo back out and confirm.

Hope you like the vids. This is one superb looking board!

Cheers

[boardshop]

Just checked the board in the video and it is the thicker 5ft 10:

FMB_510Q-03 5' 10" 18 1/2" 2 7/16" squash 27.2

Screen shot by Core is interesting. I think this does show the volume through the middle of the board. But what is quite hard to show is how the volume is so well hidden and tappers out towards the rails. I have seen a few comments on people concerned on the volume of the thicker Bourez model. But having spent a while pawing over this board I think this will be much more of a benefit that a disadvantage. Genius board!

Cheers,

[prjwebb]

There's a UK demo 510 kicking about? :D

[Goanna]

On your marks, get set.....GO get it Prj!
and let us know how it goes will ya?

[core personal training]

yeah phill's chuckin' a sickie today...goin' surfin'...

boardshop...thanks for the update re the rails...i've been running the vid frame by frame trying to see how domed the deck was...replacing a 6'2x 2 1/2 flexy with a 6'2x 2 11/16 bourez had me a little concerned about the rail volume...thanks mate..

[boardshop]

No worries. Don’t want to give duff advice...but from looking at the board I don’t think you will have any problems. Good luck!

Cheers

[core personal training]

if its too much foam i can always hit the pies and beer..!!..that'll help sink it...!!

[Sarge]

Hi Chris,
The MB is advertised as having a 4mm single concave. I was wondering how this related to the concave depth on the other HP models- Taj, Flexfire & Alternator?

Cheers,
Sarge.

[Johnny]

Sarge - I see you ride a 5'8" Hypto Krpto. Could you describe how it performs in relation to your Firewire boards. What conditions do you ride it v. your other Firewire shapes. Do you like it or was it an experiment?

[Sarge]

Hi Johnny, well pretty much all my boards have been an experiment. Some work out, some don't. Switching to Firewires was one. I will not go back to PU.
I've only had the Hypto for 3 weeks so haven't had too much variety to choose from, however being "The New Board" I have ridden it 90% of the time just to get used to it. Solid 4 foot peaky wind swell down to 1 foot reform runners at my local Sydney beach break.
The board is a keeper. I think it will be up there with my Dominator in the "Never To Be Sold" category. My Dom is my daily driver.
It's very fast, I think faster than the dominator, with great acceleration, and at 5'8" it is not surprisingly really really loose. This made me nervous on my first few bottom turns, but the low rail and narrow tail really bite when put hard on the rail. Be ready to release the fins coming off the top after this kind of bottom turn. Due to its short length it still gets vertical pretty well despite the width up front. I primarily bought it cause i am off to Victoria for 2 months and thought it would suit several of the breaks on the surf coast at the 1 - 5 foot range - Will be taking the Alternator & Hellfire for the same breaks at 4 - 6 foot. Hellfire will also have to do up to 8 foot if I have driven the distance to get there. (Any bigger and I will have to wuss out / 'sustain an injury' that prohibits me from surfing for as long as it takes the surf to get back down to a more sensible size)
I have learnt not to take the Hypto when conditions are fairly bumpy. I think a combination of the low rail and super light weight are to answer. It's in EPS. In spite of many surf contest commentators' opinions on Taj's equipment, this is not something I have found to be a problem with any of my Firewires.

Cheers, Sarge
ps The "Never To Be Sold" category does not stop me from 'swapping it' -a good term to use when discussing quiver details with the wifey- for a newer (new) Dominator or its close more sporty sibling the Spitfire.

[Chris]

good stuff Sarge!!

Stoked on the post.

[Sarge]

Johnny, forgot to mention Taj board. It gets used only when conditions are perfect. Over 3 foot, and barrelling. Especially if there is a sucky take-off involved. I have not come unstuck yet, and I have had many take-offs that my 30yrs of surfing have told me that "I" wouldn't make just so I can keep my spot closer to the pointy end of a pecking order. I have literally thrown myself over the edge with a view to copping a good pummelling, only to find that board and feet are still connected at the bottom. More than once this has been followed by a pitching lip slapping the surprised look off my face. Downside of this board for me is that I only get to surf these conditions a few times a year.
If it is a 3 foot plus high performance wave and I want to pretend that I should be getting paid for surfing and kick the life out of every available lip then my Alternator is the ducks nuts. Mine is an older one with more rocker and less volume than the current version. (6'2" x 19" x 2'3/8" -28.7 litres).
At the moment I am in the process of "swapping" my Taj and Alt, and combining them into either a 6'0" or 6'2" MB. Will make that decision once I get to give both sizes a touch up in store.
Hope this helps,

[prjwebb]

I thought the same thing about late drops on the Taj. Started to think I was invincible. A late drop behind the rocks at 1.5+ overhead Anchor point proved that wrong though when I free fell on the drop straight into a nose dive in the trough and then got picked up and tossed arounded over the falls before popping up right next to the rocks with the wave behind mowing me down.
Thankfully I escaped with board intact and a couple of scrapes from the rocks on my feet.

[Johnny]

Thanks for the review of several of your boards Sarge. That was most helpful. It's a good time to be a surfer - so many great boards to ride and experiment with. And sharing experiences makes it even more fun. Cheers!

[core personal training]

i agree with the drops on a taj...i jumped on a 604 and was dropping into super sucky waves with full rail engaged with confidence (invincible like PRJ)..didn't need to drop clear then bottom turn.. it plugged straight into the wave and flew down the line...great for fast waves or behind the peak stuff...wonder how close my upcoming MB will feel to that..??..soon see...wont be long now.....

[Wandi]

I'm still tossing up between the 6'0 and the 5'10
The 6'0 is on order so at the moment it's advantage 6'0
I'm hoping it will still have all the good things from the Taj board and more
Easy drops in bowly waves but better down the line speed due to a more relaxed rocker profile
Fingers crossed

[buzzy]

This is more for Chris than anything, and more out of curiosity that anything.

The ASP World Tour profile on Michel has his favourite stick being a 6'0" x 18" a 2 5/16", which is vastly different to the dims for his pro model. What's the back story here? Have his dims changed, the pro model is a consumer friendly derivation of his actual stick, or he was understating the dims for his favourite stick for fear of being labelled a fatty?!

[prjwebb]

I asked something similar a while back. The thread below called Changes might help.

[Chris]

Hey Buzzy,
That dim is funky on the Michel page. They monitor that stuff and are the ones that gather it. Guys change equipment faster than they can update so I am sure there are funny dims for other athletes as well.

He definitely uses other dims now...

[SeabasEP]

Hey,
Just new to the forum, some really good info on here! I have a question re: the MB, would be great to hear what ya reckon?

I'm an intermediate level surfer around 80kg, i have good fitness and spend most of my time in quality surf. I just picked up a the 6'0 thicker MB. I see the rails carry a fair bit of the volume, will it still be responsive and how will it compare to my 6'2 Flexfire 18 3/4 x 2 1/2?

[Fazza]

SeabasEP

The Bourez is a HP shortboard and even though the thicker model carries a bit more volume out to the rails it will still perform like a HP short board in good surf. I haven't ridden a 6'2 Flexfire but i have a 6'4 Flexfire and I own a 6'2 Thinner Bourez. I am amazed at how well the Bourez turns in the pocket and doesn't lose any speed through the turns.

I think that you will be stocked with the 6'0 MB and find it will become your goto board as with the extra volume over the Flexfire it will grovel a little beter.

[Bergie]

I'll be looking at the thinner one especially if you stay in good surf the rail are pretty full and give you plenty of float and paddling power.The difference between the volume of your flexfire and the thin MB wont be that much.

[SeabasEP]

Hey thanks heaps for that advice,

I got a Ments trip coming up next week, so will be able to let ya know how it performed over there when I get back.

[Boxofkittens]

Now available in CBD, yew!

[prjwebb]

Yewww! Nice to get the nose and tail widths from that. Seems like the nose is a touch wider than my Taj and the tail a touch narrower.
Cool that the CBD is now available in the UK and most of Europe.

[Alexgibbson]

i know someone who rides that goes to uni there, but i think he's always too busy to ride i think. longboard shop (http://www.nomadicskateboards.com/)

[Bergie]

When the tail option for the Bourez will be available in CBD? I wont mind a round tail as a step up Bourez.

[Wandi]

When the tail option for the Bourez will be available in CBD? I wont mind a round tail as a step up Bourez.

Are we eventually going to have that option
Or is it a rumor

[MeanGreen]

I heard about them bringing a rounded pin to the Flexfire range from Bruce on this forum. But I am not sure about any other boards, it would be great if they did bring in a tail option.

[stylar]

hey Chris

Just wanted to know if you can order the bourez with fcs in the CDB as it gives you that option when you go to buy a board.
Just wanted to check before i purchase one.
Also whats the current work load for cdb is it still 10-12 or is it longer at this stage leading up to xmas

Cheers mate.

[stylar]

Can anyone answer the above question?

[Chris]

Hey Stylar,
Yeah just futures on that one!

Also there isn't any more of a wait this time of year than any other for a custom. That quote stands valid!

Cheers