Innova: The Firebird will soon be more iconic than the Roc

No, it’s not there yet, but it’s not all that for off, either …

Don’t get me wrong: Both are INCREDIBLE discs – they’re staples of my bag, though that’s hardly reason to make changes on your end. What might get you to pull the trigger on some new plastic, however, is that nearly every Innova-sponsored pro bags multiples of both. Even Nathan Queen, who refuses to bag a Star Destroyer, has both a Star Roc and Star Firebird in his lineup.

And it makes sense …

For starters, the Roc has plenty going for it: It turned 35 earlier this year. To put that number in perspective, the Discraft Buzzz – arguably the Roc’s greatest rival – will be 19 this September. Age isn’t everything, but when giving discs the “iconic” label, it’s worth strong consideration.

The Roc’s a bit of a tired mold, though …

Wouldn’t you agree?

I doubt Dave Dunipace would voice a similar opinion, but the sheer number of Roc variants that exists sends a very different message. Right off the top of my head, here are just a few of ‘em:

• Roc No. 1 – The Roc+
• Roc No. 2 – The Roc3
• Roc No. 3 – The VRoc
• Roc No. 4 – The RocX3
• Roc No. 5 – The Classic Roc
• Roc No. 6 – The Ontario Roc
• Roc No. 7 – The Rancho Roc
• Roc No. 8 – The San Marino Roc

They’ll be mounting satellite dishes on top of these things, before you know it.

Furthermore, the KC Pro Roc – the pinnacle of Roc doctrine – isn’t NEARLY as hot as it once was. Watch an old-timer’s “in the bag,” and you’ll see ‘em. Watch an actual touring pro’s, though, and you’ll be met with a bunch of Champion Roc3s – nothing wrong with that.

On the other hand, the Firebird might not be as old as its Roc counterpart, but it’s trending in an upwards direction – and sharply. Plastics vary. And yeah, Innova will pump out a run or two of the flat-top (FAF) variety. Also, I guess the Firebird-L (FL) exists, but that’s about it. Really, a Firebird’s a Firebird’s a Firebird. You don’t need a college degree to know the differences.

That’s all cute and cuddly, mind you, but the following three reasons, are BIG for the Firebird’s overthrowing of the Innova Roc as the manufacturer’s most iconic mold – try ‘em on for size:

• Reason No. 1 – Nate Sexton exists. So, too, does his Champion Color Glow Firebird.
• Reason No. 2 – All brands have a “knock-off” Firebird. Imitation is flattery at its finest.
• Reason No. 3 – Those legions of new PDGA members? Yeah, they don’t “get” the Roc.

To date, there are over 200,000 disc-crazed members of the PDGA. Back in 2017, there were less than 100,000 card-carrying devotees. The PDGA was founded in 1976. Granted, these are rough numbers, but that means it took over four decades for disc golf’s governing body to land its first 100,000 faithful. The second 100,000, though? FIVE YEARS – and don’t you know it …

Most of them have no earthly idea what a zipper-top CE Classic Roc is, but they ALL overpay for Sexton Firebirds just like the rest of us. If that’s not evidence, I don’t know what is …

Now, what’s “soon” (see the headline) mean, exactly?

I can’t be certain, but give it a decade …

That should be enough time for the Firebird to “unofficially” switch places with the Roc.

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