I've seen a fair amount of very short boards at the local break here and got to hear about a movement in surfing round "mini-simmons" designs. Apartently I am late to this party as its been going on for a few years now and is gaining a lot more momentum ... seems Bob Simmons had a similiar design in the 50's for long boards that is now getting some interest in surfing and a LOT of interest in SUPing ... they are called mini simmons and their performance characteristics are pretty impressive even though they look short and fat ... This firewire is just another expression of a mini-simmons so I think its performance is most likely legit:
Check out this ripper on a 4'10 in tiny surf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcbpRph7wKM
Same guy again, Dave Boehne ripping in small waves on a 7'2 on a mini-simmons sup which is tiny for a sup ... super fast through sections.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFwGgU84eOg
The shaper that started it all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMdgqBnEQTQ
I am a big believer in this board shape ...