The Seaside and Beyond Surfboard is a cruisy, fast, and very beautiful mid – length and the bigger brother to Rob Machado’s Seaside surfboard. In this review we’ll dive into how this board rides and compare some differences between the 2 different technologies, which makes them feel like riding 2 completely different boards🤯.
Sizing & Construction
The Seaside and Beyond Surfboard comes in the following sizes:
6’8″ X 20 3/4 X 2 5/8 V40.9 L
7’0″ X 21 3/8 X 2 11/16 V45.3 L
7’4″ X 21 3/4 X 2 3/4 V49.5 L
I’m assuming they did final release of this board due to Thunderbolt and Firewire surfboards splitting ways.
How It Felt to Ride: Seaside and Beyond Surfboard in Thunderbolt Red
NOTE: I review surfboards on certain categories on a 10 point scale, which you’ll notice after certain words.
The Seaside and Beyond Surfboard is notoriously good at getting into waves. I’ve had my brother multiple times, and even a few strangers tell me that they did not think I would be able to catch that wave. It’s a super flat board, so much so that my brother deemed it, the “Ironing board” (Paddling & Wave Entry 9).
Even after fumbling a few takeoffs and getting behind sections I could lean into the inside the rail and the board would help jet propel me back into sections (Speed & Drive 9). Since this board does have a fishier round nose outline, it does do much wider drawn out turns for those who are into them long cruisy lines 😎 (Maneuverability 8.75). I also gave the Seaside and beyond surfboard 9 for Durability & Duck dive, but I comment more about it down between the differences between Thunderbolt & LFT surfboards.
Overall Scores
- Paddling /Wave Entry 9
- Speed 9
- Drive 9
- Maneuverability 8.75
- Duck diving 9
- Durability 9
- OVERALL 8.95
Whose it For?
Beginners can level of tremendously with the Seaside and Beyond Surfboard in Thunderbolt Red. I would go for the 7’0″ or 7-4″ size as a beginner. Intermediate and advanced surfers could enjoy any size, depending if you want more maneuverability, go shorter. If you’re craving all the glide and cruise-y sensations, go with a longer size.
Perfect blend of going guns blazing speed, but feeling cruisy in the turns.
Wave Range
You can ride this board in small mush to overhead surf, but this board felt the most alive for me, in about 2ft – 6ft surf. The perfect range to deepen some feelings for both Rob Machado and Thunderbolt surfboards for the magic they created.
Thunderbolt Red vs. LFT – Seaside and Beyond Surfboard
| Linear Flex Technology (LFT) | Thunderbolt Red Technology | |
| Durability | 👍 | |
| Flex | 👍 | |
| Bigger Wave Range | 👍 |
Durability:
After a few sessions of riding of the LFT Seaside and Beyond I did notice hairline cracks along the rail without even anything. My thunderbolt red Seaside and Beyond still looks great after multiple sessions on it. No pressures or anything.
Winner: Thunderbolt
Flex:
This category affects a few big things for me. How to board feel as it turns, & how they boards duck dives. Surprisingly my Thunderbolt Red Seaside and Beyond at 7’0″ and 45.3L was EASIER to duck dive vs my 6’8″ LFT SSB at 40.9L. Was tripping so hard, as I thought when I bought the 7’0″ Seaside and Beyond in Thunderbolt Red that I’d be giving up my ability to duck dive. Using the Thunderbolt Red version turns felt more engaged in the wave face, rather than on top of it with the LFT, leading to a more silky and orgasmic feeling turn with the Thunderbolt Red.
Winner: Thunderbolt
Max Wave Range:
Seaside and Beyond Surfboard in LFT actually feels like it glides into the wave and feels more stable riding into due to the stiffer flex. So if you intend to ride this board in bigger waves, LFT is a goooo.
Winner: LFT
Overall Winner & the one I prefer to ride if I could only choose one:
Thunderbolt Red.
Recommended Fins/Accessories
I rode my Thunderbolt Red Seaside and Beyond in 2 different fin set ups:
When the waves were smaller, or I just wanted that looser feeling: the Al Merrick Twin Fin Keels.
Get Al Merrick Keels in FCS2 Here!
Get Al Merrick Keels in Futures Here!
When the waves got larger I usually changed Rob Machado’s recommended Quad Keel Set.
Get Rob Machado Quad Fins in FCS2 Here!
Get Rob Machado Quad Fins in Futures Here!
My go to tangle-free FCS helix leash & FCS Sharkbanz pod for protection & peace of mind from any sharks while out in the water.
Conclusion/Summary
In conclusion, the Seaside and Beyond Surfboard stands out for its exceptional wave-catching ability and smooth performance. With its flat design and fishier outline, it excels in speed and delivers wide, cruisy turns. The Thunderbolt Red version is particularly favored for its durability and ease of duck diving compared to the LFT model. Ultimately, surfers seeking a superior ride experience will find the Thunderbolt Red Seaside and Beyond to be the preferred choice, offering engaging performance and versatility in various wave conditions.
Video Review
Check out my video review of this board here!
Potential Alternatives:
Check out my other review post on the CJ Nelson Milo Fish Surfboard in Thunderbolt Red! Another sick mid – length fish style board, that rides completely different to the Seaside and Beyond in Thunderbolt Red, despite both being mid – length fish surfboards.