Dan Mann's Shapes

[Chris]

Dan Mann is the local San Diego designer who thought up the likes of the Dominator, Spitfire, Sweet Potato, Baked Potato and the Potato-nator. You can't even shake a stick at that celebrity lineup. Wait until you see what he has in store for 2013.

[aurfalien]

Wait just a minute here pal.

Lest we forget the Futura!

- aurf

[kdropin]

i am out of money

[Goanna]

Stop this craziness!

[buzzy]

I didn't realise Dan did the Futura too. On ya Dan, great board. I love your Dom too.

I've previously suggested a Dom step up similar to the Hellfire over the Spit, but (in my mind) stretching it by 4 inches, not two, using a bit more of a SB rocker (maybe Alt rocker?) and of course refining width and nose and tail volumes appropriately. For me, that would be the ideal board up from the Dom.

[Goanna]

I didn't realise Dan did the Futura too. On ya Dan, great board. I love your Dom too.

I've previously suggested a Dom step up similar to the Hellfire over the Spit, but (in my mind) stretching it by 4 inches, not two, using a bit more of a SB rocker (maybe Alt rocker?) and of course refining width and nose and tail volumes appropriately. For me, that would be the ideal board up from the Dom.

Mini Driver maybe?

[buzzy]

Yeah, I'm definitely keeping my eye on that. I'm looking forward to some feedback after people have surfed it, and fondling one in the shops.

[prjwebb]

I'm going to have to stop coming on here, just put the horse blinkers on!

[indodreaming]

Didn't he design the "Hellfire" also?

[Chris]

The hellfire was actually Nev. along with the hell razor.

[indodreaming]

Oh cool, nice one Nev

[custom]

Dan make it again......
http://www.secretspot.co.uk/surfboards/shortboards/unibrow-510-surfboard-white-rapidfire-20339.aspx

http://www.boardshop.co.uk/firewire-fst-unibrow-5ft-10-surfboard-white-pre-order-now!/fub-510r-03/

[buzzy]

Is it possible to get Dan on so he can elaborate about his thinking behind the Unibrow, how it performs, best wave range, how it performs relative to some of his other designs (in particular the Dom) etc?

Also, is there video of surfing on it, or on prototypes?

[Chris]

Hey Buzzy. We are so slammed with prepping product, we haven't had much time to get out there and generate media for each individual model. It will come in time though.

We are going to be launching the unibrow page in the next day or two so check that out when it launches. Then we can al dig deeper into the shape.

Cheers

[buzzy]

No worries. Thanks Chris.

[Piha Local]

Thanks Chris, plenty of "good news" around for us passionate Firewire evangelists to spread. Looked like your brother had some good waves in NZ recently. Not bad surfing either, you did well teaching him all he knows!

[dawnbuster]

No worries. Thanks Chris.

Great to see the unibrow up on the firewire site.Looks like a sick shape.When can we expect to see them hit oz.How similar would this board be to the Dominator? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Fazza]

Great to see the unibrow up on the firewire site.Looks like a sick shape.When can we expect to see them hit oz.How similar would this board be to the Dominator? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Available now

[dawnbuster]

Available now

Thanks Fazza,so are you saying available now to order or are they in the shops?

[Fazza]

They are not in shops to fondle yet but are available to order i believe.......i think they will sell quickly so if you want one better order one from your local dealer asap

[MeanGreen]

Good job fellas on offering the last two shapes, the Unibrow and the Chubby Chedda in 1 inch increments.

I almost always fall inbetween when they are 2 inch increments, so I end up passing on a lot of Firewires I would have bought if the size and volume were closer to what I normally ride.

[prjwebb]

509 Dims look good ay Mean!

[MeanGreen]

Yeah PRJ! That was the one I was eyeing up. I think I might need to go ahead and put in my pre-order. Although the holidays haven't be kind to me. I'm up to 185lbs and the volume calculator has me at a minimum of 30Ls for my fat arse! I might have to consider the 5'10".

Getting old and fat is no fun I tell you.

Are you looking at the 5'9" also? How's the 5'6" Vanguard treating you? That one looks spot on in terms of volume too for me.

[prjwebb]

Won't have it for a couple of months yet.
I like the look of the 509 Brow and the 510 Chedda. Can't justify anymore boards right now but if I don't get on with the Vanguard i'll be considering one of those!

[FW - Fan]

Good job fellas on offering the last two shapes, the Unibrow and the Chubby Chedda in 1 inch increments.

I almost always fall inbetween when they are 2 inch increments, so I end up passing on a lot of Firewires I would have bought if the size and volume were closer to what I normally ride.

I couldnt agree more. I too often buy something not exactly what I want. Looking at the Unibrow dims, again I would want a slightly different dimension than offered but with 1 inch gradients in length the difference is very marginal and not worth sweating over. I have a couple of FW's now that I cant say the same about. Good work.

[buzzy]

I'll be fondling the Unibrow when it hits Oz stores with intent. I'll also follow the commentary on how it goes pretty closely and sizing choice will be influenced by that a lot. Is it a Dom replacement? Or more an average wave board? For me I also have to work out which quiver I intend it to work in - the fat arsed slightly unfit quiver, or the fighting fit quiver?

[kdropin]

Good job fellas on offering the last two shapes, the Unibrow and the Chubby Chedda in 1 inch increments.

I almost always fall inbetween when they are 2 inch increments, so I end up passing on a lot of Firewires I would have bought if the size and volume were closer to what I normally ride.
b nice if firewire went back and did it with existing models.. 6'0 razor for example :)

[kdropin]

i do like the 5'9 look as well :) need another job

[kdropin]

anybody know the target wave ranges for the uni and the chedda? love that these are both single to double i've found thats the bottom that works for me

[iggy]

jajajja join the club!!!

i do like the 5'9 look as well :) need another job

[dawnbuster]

Anyone out there surfed the unibrow yet.Hanging out to get some info on how this board performs and how it compares to other firewire models.I. Am currently riding the Michel Bourez board and the unibrow has caught my eye as a shape that might be a better all rounder .Still loving the Bourez board but some days need a board with better grovel ability.

[dawnbuster]

Are you there Chris? Thought you may have ridden the unibrow?

[kdropin]

its the weekend.... wait til the workweek

[Matt_s]

70 -72 KG (depending on the season) intermiediate, UK waves plus easy tropical stuff (think maldives, sri lanka, easier indo waves) chuck in some summer beach breaks hossegor, portugal, spain. Really interested in the unibrow as my travel board and board for better waves at home as iv always surfed a bit better on something a bit hybrid like.

I have a 5'9 EF with 28.6 litres vol as my main board, im comfortable on this volume even when in a 6mm wetty with boots and gloves.

Play it safe and go with the 5'9 brow at this is 28.8 ltrs for easy paddling and getting into waves early
or go 5'8 at 27.5 ltrs for slightly higher performance?

I know im around the right volume at 28.6 with the EF but I wonder if id be better off with slightly less ?

[prjwebb]

I'd go 508 at your height and weight but I can't imagine you'd be limited in anyway by going for the 509.

[Matt_s]

I'd go 508 at your height and weight but I can't imagine you'd be limited in anyway by going for the 509.

thanks prj,

i remember when i started looking at FW boards I had no idea of volume and was almost going to buy boards around 34 ltrs.... my potato feels a bit huge at 32, im def way happier at around 27 or 28 for a more normal board..... im sure either 8 or 9 will do the trick here, its not a massive difference after all, its great they are sizing some of these new ones without 2" gaps

[Chris]

the Unibrow, in my opinion, is going to replace boards like the Dominator/Spitfire for a lot of good to advanced surfers. It offers a more refined tail, a more progressive rocker, a nice single to double and a little less over all width. It is, however, still an insane groveller, it just opens up the performance ceiling for that type of board. The round tail makes the board silky smooth from rail to rail and great as the conditions get better.

http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/surfboards.php?boardid=unibrow

[kdropin]

oh man.. sounds goooood! whats the target wave range u think chris? 3-5? u ride a thruster on it?

[Chris]

yeah i would say that's about right! I have been back east for the last few weeks helping with relocating a sick elderly family member and I have been riding it in 2 foot to overhead (depending on power of the swell). From an EC perspective, you can really ride it in a lot of conditions. The tail really distinguished it from the Dominator. Out on your steeper beaches you totally could ride it thigh high if its steep. especially on the right tide in seasons when you are in light neoprene.

Cheers

[Matt_s]

Chris any word on if any 5'9s are coming in to the uk in the march shipment? Apparently it's going to be just best I can order is a 5'8... Still not sure if a 5'8 or 9 would be better for me looks like I might have to wait till may for the 5'9 if I think that's the way to go

[kdropin]

yeah i would say that's about right! I have been back east for the last few weeks helping with relocating a sick elderly family member and I have been riding it in 2 foot to overhead (depending on power of the swell). From an EC perspective, you can really ride it in a lot of conditions. The tail really distinguished it from the Dominator. Out on your steeper beaches you totally could ride it thigh high if its steep. especially on the right tide in seasons when you are in light neoprene.

Cheers
that sounds good man.. u on a 5'9?

[buzzy]

the Unibrow, in my opinion, is going to replace boards like the Dominator/Spitfire for a lot of good to advanced surfers. It offers a more refined tail, a more progressive rocker, a nice single to double and a little less over all width. It is, however, still an insane groveller, it just opens up the performance ceiling for that type of board. The round tail makes the board silky smooth from rail to rail and great as the conditions get better.

http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/surfboards.php?boardid=unibrow

Chris, you rock!

Can I just pose a question? I find the volume of a 6'4" Dom ideal in small waves, but in mid size ones I start to notice the extra volume in the tail. Still very much surfable but there's very little margin for error in foot placement. I've always thought a Dom with more refined rails and a bit more nose rocker would be ideal, and the Unibrow looks a lot like that. So I guess I'm wondering with the rails and tail now more refined would it matter a great deal if I carried all that volume along the centre line (I'm guessing it's there)? I guess what I'm wondering is whether I can keep the volume in a 6'6" Unibrow (similar to my 6'4" Dom) yet get the refinement benefits of the less chunked up rail and tail? I tend to like the extra volume for smaller waves and if I can keep that benefit with more wave feel all the better.

Any comments appreciated.

[Slowman]

the Unibrow, in my opinion, is going to replace boards like the Dominator/Spitfire for a lot of good to advanced surfers. It offers a more refined tail, a more progressive rocker, a nice single to double and a little less over all width. It is, however, still an insane groveller, it just opens up the performance ceiling for that type of board. The round tail makes the board silky smooth from rail to rail and great as the conditions get better.

http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/surfboards.php?boardid=unibrow
Very much what I was wondering, this plan shape really appeals to my eye.

[cucuson]

Hey Chris, when would the unibrow be available for the US? The board looks goooood for in between Dom & MB very excited on new boards good job FW!!!!

[Sarge]

Chris, - or anyone who has been on the unibrow; is it a board that is surfed off the tail like the Dom, or more to be driven off the front foot and lean back and kick to SNAP?
I am thinking volume wise about halfway between my 30l HP and 33.5 l Dom?

[FW - Fan]

get mine tomorrow...stoked. 6'0...

[prjwebb]

get mine tomorrow...stoked. 6'0...
Nice! Lots of photos and a ride report if possible!

[buzzy]

I'll be glued to the computer waiting for the ride report. Are they in stores in Oz yet?

[kdropin]

i think i'd ride one same volume as a hp give or take

[FW - Fan]

I'll be glued to the computer waiting for the ride report. Are they in stores in Oz yet?

Yeah Buzzy they are....but I am bummed . My beautiful wife..who is a midwife got up at 2 am to go and deliver a baby and my wallet is in the car...so no Unibrow for me until Monday now...damn pregnant women and their inconvenient birth times....lol.

[buzzy]

Tough luck there!

I'll go check out the local store Tomorrow or Monday to see if they have them in stock yet. I'd love to get some better handle on them by touching seeing and feeling. I'm really looking forward to your ride report too.

I'm not sure what your local forecast is but in Syd I think we have a 6-8 foot NE swell forecast for Monday (2-4x overhead). It might not be a Unibrow testing day. Tiny little ones at Bondi this morning testing the bottom end of the Dom. It loves small waves breaking into a rip.

[dawnbuster]

I'll be glued to the computer waiting for the ride report. Are they in stores in Oz yet?

I have been told by one surf shop here in oz that the Unibrow is not available in stores until late March.Anyone heard a different story? Would love to check this board in the shop.

[FW - Fan]

I have been told by one surf shop here in oz that the Unibrow is not available in stores until late March.Anyone heard a different story? Would love to check this board in the shop.

Wrong..mine is sitting down in the store in Sydney I ordered it through...they are def available.

[Sarge]

There is a 5'10" sitting patiently on the racks in Surfculture at Bondi

[Sarge]

i think i'd ride one same volume as a hp give or take
I think I will agree with you there. If I want a HP for 'smaller' waves, then keep the HP volume with maybe a fraction more, and let the shape, width and rocker do their job.

[FW - Fan]

What did you think sarge ? Give us the run down !! You must have molested that thing in front of Froggy or Pat !!

[kdropin]

how much do u weigh sarge? i'm 165-170 now was thinking 5'9 if i go that route

[Sarge]

They look pretty good. Plenty of foam in the front half to help with catching the small stuff. The concave up front is really noticeable too, should help get some early lift going. The tail is a lot wider than it appears in the pictures but still more refined in the rail. Not as wide through the nose as the cc, and with more nose lift. But less tail rocker. The double concave through the tail looks like it carries all the way back, so im thinking its going to like gouging a solid rail carve. I would be thinking of a 5'11 for me at 194pnds / 87kg

[buzzy]

I felt up a 6'2" Unibrow at Aloha in Manly today. It felt like it packed a lot more foam in it than the 35.something litres it contains. The under arm test suggested its all I need when I assumed I'd be choosing between a 6'4" and 6'6". I want to feel up some other sizes though. The rails and tail are definitely more refined than a Dom but less refined than I expected. The tail does look wider than the pictures.

I'm looking forward to some ride reports and more input from Chris.

[kdropin]

Good stuff keep the feedback up and coming

[buzzy]

Chris, you rock!

Can I just pose a question? I find the volume of a 6'4" Dom ideal in small waves, but in mid size ones I start to notice the extra volume in the tail. Still very much surfable but there's very little margin for error in foot placement. I've always thought a Dom with more refined rails and a bit more nose rocker would be ideal, and the Unibrow looks a lot like that. So I guess I'm wondering with the rails and tail now more refined would it matter a great deal if I carried all that volume along the centre line (I'm guessing it's there)? I guess what I'm wondering is whether I can keep the volume in a 6'6" Unibrow (similar to my 6'4" Dom) yet get the refinement benefits of the less chunked up rail and tail? I tend to like the extra volume for smaller waves and if I can keep that benefit with more wave feel all the better.

Any comments appreciated.

Just to add another question - could the Unibrow be considered a replacement for the Alternator for up to 2x overhead? I'm trying to ger my head around the performance range etc and where this board sits in a quiver.

[Chris]

Hey Buzzy,

So this is a little bit of a harder answer to explain. In my opinion, the smaller and lighter the surfer, the more the Unibrow is a hybrid. However the bigger and heavier the surfer is, the more the Unibrow becomes like a shortboard. One of our guys in house here is 6'4 230 and he rides a 608 Unibrow I believe and its his shortboard basically. I do think that heavier surfers can do more with bigger boards in good surf than lighter.

So with that said, I am kind of thinking you could easily ride the Unibrow in place of the Alternator. I would say it wouldn't be ideal in heaving tubes, but take an 8-10 foot face a kind of a peeling beach with offshore winds, a nice point break, and a confident, larger, strong surfer could make it work.

Its an imperfect answer, but that is kind of how i see it.

Cheers

[buzzy]

Thanks Chris.

[Matt_s]

Chris would you say its closer to a Spitfire? Hellfire ? or Hellrzor in terms of the Hybrid - Shortboard Scale



Still trying to work out if it is the board for me, im fairly light at around 72KG/intermediete 5'8 ish high, thinking of riding a 5'8 as my new go to board. Although im still tempted by a tomo, chedda or razor.

Thanks

[Fazza]

Fondled up a 5'10 Unibrow last night. Nice board, little bit of volume under chest, nice and refined through nose and tail, definitely narrower in nose and tail compared to the Dominator. The tail is not narrow as the Mini Driver and the MD carries more volume forward than the UB.

Deep single concave from the front of the board all the way to the front of the fins where it splits into a fairly deep double concave the rest of the way out to the tail. The tail is a tad wider than i thought it would be but it does pull a little bit at the end of the tail. The "Under the Arm Test" feels really nice under your arm, not bulky or boaty feeling at all.

Looks like a really fun, fast manoeuvrable board.

I'll try to get some shots comparing the CC and UB

1364

[prjwebb]

When you say fondled, do you mean purchased???


Fondled up a 5'10 Unibrow last night. Nice board, little bit of volume under chest, nice and refined through nose and tail, definitely narrower in nose and tail compared to the Dominator. The tail is not narrow as the Mini Driver and the MD carries more volume forward than the UB.

Deep single concave from the front of the board all the way to the front of the fins where it splits into a fairly deep double concave the rest of the way out to the tail. The tail is a tad wider than i thought it would be but it does pull a little bit at the end of the tail. The "Under the Arm Test" feels really nice under your arm, not bulky or boaty feeling at all.

Looks like a really fun, fast manoeuvrable board.

I'll try to get some shots comparing the CC and UB

1364

[Fazza]

yes.........

[prjwebb]

Haha nice! Ride reports :D

[Fazza]

Will be surfing it tomorrow morning so will give you first impressions after that. It will need to be pretty good to surpass the Chedda as that has been my most favourite fun board eva......hoping it will give me the same joy as the Chedda but in bigger better waves.

[nn66]

Hey Fazza what fins do you like the best in the CC as I have been riding mine with Future AM2 and I have a mixed feeling about them. Have the same thought as you is it the board or the fins do i sell it and get a Unibrow?

[custom]

Thanks Fazza waiting for you review against CC...

[iggy]

Yeah Fazza, waiting for reports

[kdropin]

yeah comparison to the cc and the razor please...

those pics make the nose look really refined

[Fazza]

Hey Fazza what fins do you like the best in the CC as I have been riding mine with Future AM2 and I have a mixed feeling about them. Have the same thought as you is it the board or the fins do i sell it and get a Unibrow?

nn66

Tried a few fins and settled on the Futures AM1 Blackstix. The give the board great hold and drive and nice release on turns......i am really loving the CC in the smaller to mid-range waves. It can handle a bit bigger if needed or handle bigger waves with fatter takeoffs.

The CC is definitely a keeper....

UB review to follow soon just got to go out urgently and do a few things.

[Fazza]

1365

Surfed the UniBrow early this morning for about 4 hours....picture above is what it was like as i was leaving.....tried Futures MB3 fins will try a few others over the next few surfs.

First of all this board is fast,fast,fast did i mention how fast it is? If you want a board that takes off the UB is for you....you will make sections you probably wouldn't on other boards.

Didn't feel as easy to paddle as the CC but catches the wave easily, bit of a contradiction i know but thats just what i noticed. It can handle a nice drop or late takeoff and just goes into turbo mode. At first all that speed threw me a bit but i never felt like i was not in control of the board.
Feels really nice and smooth going from rail to rail, you can really lay hard into your turns and the board responds immediately. I was a bit tentative at first being a new board with new fins and on my backhand but after an hour or so got into the grove a bit and found myself having a lot of fun.

I think with the slightly pulled in round tail and narrow nose you could surf this into some pretty decent waves and i feel that it can handle the upper wave range better than the CC but the CC is a fantastic board on lower end waves and will definitely stay in my quiver. I had a 508 FST Dominator sometime ago which died and even though the CC is surfed as a longer board i prefer it over the Dom. I have also owned a 5'10 PU Mini Driver which was ok but i didn't really gel with it and was contemplating getting a 6'0 FST MD but when i saw the Unibrow i was sold on it.

I am pretty sold on the UB and actually preferred how it surfed and how i surfed it over the Hellrazor.....i found the Hellrazor a bit of a love hate relationship.

Side by side comparison shot between the CC and UB. UB definitely more pulled in nose than the CC but the CC seems to be slightly more pulled in on the tail until just after the start of the deck grip on the UB.

1366

Did i mention how fast the Unibrow is?

[custom]

Nice review Fazza waiting more.What's your opinion UniBrow or CC to cover mid wave range between my potato and MB?(Want the most versatile option as it would be my every day board).
Thanks.

[Fazza]

Nice review Fazza waiting more.What's your opinion UniBrow or CC to cover mid wave range between my potato and MB?(Want the most versatile option as it would be my every day board).
Thanks.

Probably to early for me to answer that one yet. I will need quite a few more surfs on the UB and then jump back on the CC and see how they compare. I think they could both really be your everyday board and it may depend on the type wave you would surf them on most of the time, and if you prefer rounded square to rounded pin. Even though the CC has a bit of width slightly forward of centre i have never found it hard to turn/manoeuvre and never had the nose catch.

[prjwebb]

Wow looks like a needle nose. Any idea on nose width?

[buzzy]

Sounds impressive. It looks like 6'4" will be my length. Keep up the reviews.

[Magnet]

How bout UB versus Jacknife Fazza? When would you use what? Or is your JK gathering dust?

[Sarge]

Nice review Fazza.
Photo of your morning session isn't too shabby either. Bondi looked just the same yesterday, but I didn't want to post any photos in case it people start to find out about the place. LOL
I was in the shop today thinking I was going to order the 5'11'' CC (they have nearly every size between 5'8" and 6'2" - just not the 5'111") but the more I looked at the 5'10" UB the more I thought the lack of nose rocker on the CC was going to be an issue. But now after reading this, perhaps it will be just fine. I think I am more after a board for smaller good waves, than something to take me over head high.

[Fazza]

Nice review Fazza.
Photo of your morning session isn't too shabby either. Bondi looked just the same yesterday, but I didn't want to post any photos in case it people start to find out about the place. LOL
I was in the shop today thinking I was going to order the 5'11'' CC (they have nearly every size between 5'8" and 6'2" - just not the 5'111") but the more I looked at the 5'10" UB the more I thought the lack of nose rocker on the CC was going to be an issue. But now after reading this, perhaps it will be just fine. I think I am more after a board for smaller good waves, than something to take me over head high.

If you want a good board for smaller good waves then the CC is the go. I surfed the CC for 5 hrs last week on a super low tide, the wave was breaking across the inside of the reef and i had no problems with the CC making any of the waves. The CC may have a flatter entry rocker but it also has a nice tail kick and that combo makes this a pretty good board. I haven't tried the UB on smaller waves yet but will see what it is like tomorrow as the swell is a tad smaller than today.

[RobinL]

Really interested to see nose and tail dims for the UB and the CC. UB definitely looks narrower in the nose than I was expecting, bit like an alternator in the nose and a pulled in dominator in the tail. Interested to hear how well it paddles in more detail. There must be lots if hidden foam in the UB as when compared the pictured 511 CC and 510 UB only have a .7l difference.

[dawnbuster]

If you want a good board for smaller good waves then the CC is the go. I surfed the CC for 5 hrs last week on a super low tide, the wave was breaking across the inside of the reef and i had no problems with the CC making any of the waves. The CC may have a flatter entry rocker but it also has a nice tail kick and that combo makes this a pretty good board. I haven't tried the UB on smaller waves yet but will see what it is like tomorrow as the swell is a tad smaller than today.

Great review Fazza,how would you compare your Unibrow to your 6ft mb as far as paddle and performance in general.So close to buying the unibrow as an all rounder ,just wanting a little more info on the way she rides .Any info would be greatly appreciated.Did you find it to be a back foot surfers board given the wide point is behind centre.?

[Fazza]

Really interested to see nose and tail dims for the UB and the CC. UB definitely looks narrower in the nose than I was expecting, bit like an alternator in the nose and a pulled in dominator in the tail. Interested to hear how well it paddles in more detail. There must be lots if hidden foam in the UB as when compared the pictured 511 CC and 510 UB only have a .7l difference.

RobinL

Measured both boards 12" from nose and tail......should be pretty close only had a steel ruler.
CC
Nose - 12.5"
Tail - 15"

UB
Nose - 11.75"
Tail - 15.5"

The volume in the UB is pretty well under your chest.

The CC has a lower entry rocker and slightly more exit rocker than the UB.

[Fazza]

Great review Fazza,how would you compare your Unibrow to your 6ft mb as far as paddle and performance in general.So close to buying the unibrow as an all rounder ,just wanting a little more info on the way she rides .Any info would be greatly appreciated.Did you find it to be a back foot surfers board given the wide point is behind centre.?

Dawnbuster,

I had a 602 MB which I hated more than i liked. I really struggled paddling it into anything of size and found that it needed good wallie waves and did run across flat spots at all.

The UB however paddles really well into waves, 4" shorter than my MB which is good.

Today I surfed it on a small reef break hip to shoulder high (most of the waves were hip to just above high) and i was surprised as to how easily it caught waves, the odd one was quite suckie and fast on the takeoff. I blew more waves than if i have been on the CC but that was due to getting used to the UB.......the UB seemed to grovel better than i thought it would. Probably should have surfed the CC but if I only had the UB to surf i would not have been disappointed. The board has a nice drivey feel to it and probably can be surfed with smaller fins than you think.

[FW - Fan]

Fazza...one thing that really shocked me was the needle nose on the UB as seen in your pic. Is that an illusion or is it really that narrow? To me thats works against the concept of a board with grovelling abilities.

[Fazza]

Fazza...one thing that really shocked me was the needle nose on the UB as seen in your pic. Is that an illusion or is it really that narrow? To me thats works against the concept of a board with grovelling abilities.

Sorry got the nose and tail measurements on the CC round the wrong way :)

I think the photo makes it look narrower than it really is, laying the UB on top of the CC they look fairly similar.

I am sure that once FW put them up on the Compare Board Function it will make things a lot clearer.

[RobinL]

RobinL

Measured both boards 12" from nose and tail......should be pretty close only had a steel ruler.
CC
Nose - 15"
Tail - 12.5"

UB
Nose - 11.75"
Tail - 15.5"

The volume in the UB is pretty well under your chest.

The CC has a lower entry rocker and slightly more exit rocker than the UB.

Thanks Fazza,
V interesting.
Can't wait untill they hit the shops in the uk and I can get them both under my arm to compare the tails and rails.

Love the 510 Dom and the 64 alt and looking for that magic daily driver to fit in between to replace my 62 stealth (great for me in head high mush but overlaps too much with the Dom and I don't find it as good at head and a half perhaps too much foam for me).

Think the 5 fin plugs of the unibrow and the better upper range might be the deciding factors for me to order a 60 Unibrow.

That width in the tail of the UB is pretty significant though. Ive been struggling with the width of the tail in my stealth when it's overhead and a better shape (think it might be a little too much volume for me at 34l) so hoping that the tail on the UB, being a little more pulled in at the base of the tail and more refined/thinner (?) than the stealth might sort that issue out.

Do you find your UB has good hold off the bottom?

Which would you say has better hold between your CC and UB?

Ive also recently been wishing I could sink the nose of the stealth more easily when i duck dive chunkier waves so the UB sounds pretty perfect with its narrower nose.

Thanks for all the updates Fazza, its brilliant to be able to consider everything before even seeing them.

Cheers,
Robin

[Fazza]

How bout UB versus Jacknife Fazza? When would you use what? Or is your JK gathering dust?

JK gathering dust at the moment :(

[prjwebb]

Did you get the nose and tail on the CC the wrong way around Fazza?

[Fazza]

Did you get the nose and tail on the CC the wrong way around Fazza?

Sorry yes....i re-edited the post and changed them around the right way.

[prjwebb]

That makes more sense. Sounds like nice dims.
The Unibrow has a narrower nose than the Alternator then!

[RobinL]

Interesting RE: Fazza's comment:
"Today I surfed it (UB) on a small reef break hip to shoulder high (most of the waves were hip to just above high) and i was surprised as to how easily it caught waves"

Interesting that it paddles so well when it's so narrow up front for its length. Must be hiding some foam under the lower chest.

Fazza: - Do you have to pick your spot to paddle in on the wave like a more HP board or can you get up some speed like a dom? Was the reef you surfed the kind of wave you can get into easily regardless of the size of the waves.

Any chance you have got any photos of the tail? really interested to see how refined it is in that last 6 inches.

Cheers,

[silentp]

Good review fazza, a pic of the concave also on the UB if possible, cheers

[Fazza]

Interesting RE: Fazza's comment:
"Today I surfed it (UB) on a small reef break hip to shoulder high (most of the waves were hip to just above high) and i was surprised as to how easily it caught waves"

Interesting that it paddles so well when it's so narrow up front for its length. Must be hiding some foam under the lower chest.

Fazza: - Do you have to pick your spot to paddle in on the wave like a more HP board or can you get up some speed like a dom? Was the reef you surfed the kind of wave you can get into easily regardless of the size of the waves.

Any chance you have got any photos of the tail? really interested to see how refined it is in that last 6 inches.

Cheers,

RobinL

The board definitely got some speed like a Dom and paddles into the wave easily. I didn't notice or even really think about where i was paddling into the wave from still trying to work out what i can do on it.

Not the best but here is a photo of the tail which will give you some idea.

1368

[Fazza]

Good review fazza, a pic of the concave also on the UB if possible, cheers

SilentP

Some photo's of the concave from just before fins, middle of fins and across the back centre fin.....best i could do.

In front of Front Fins
1369

Across middle of quad fins
1370

Across back centre fin
1371

[FW - Fan]

Damn thats some deep conk !! Can you see the Dominator heritage or is it way more refined that that? I read Chris say he thought this board may replace the Spit/Dom but I can't see it personally from what I have seen.

[silentp]

Wow no wonder its a speed demon, thanks for that, I think this could be my next FW, by the way how far does it continue up the board?

[buzzy]

Damn thats some deep conk !! Can you see the Dominator heritage or is it way more refined that that? I read Chris say he thought this board may replace the Spit/Dom but I can't see it personally from what I have seen.

When I felt up a board you could definitely feel the chunk. I thought the Dom heritage was pretty clear when looking at one in person in terms of planshape. Obviously the bottom contours is another thing entirely.

I'm still waiting in delivery of a board I ordered late Nov or so. When I've bedded that down I suspect the Alt might be the very first Firewire I sell to fund a new Unibrow. Not that there's anything wrong with the Alt - it's still one of my best ever boards. But at the length I have it, it's just a tad over foamed for me - great for fatty days but otherwise unused. Some small adjustments to the quiver will likely render it surplus to needs. And if I find I miss it CBD is my friend.

[RobinL]

RobinL

The board definitely got some speed like a Dom and paddles into the wave easily. I didn't notice or even really think about where i was paddling into the wave from still trying to work out what i can do on it.

Not the best but here is a photo of the tail which will give you some idea.

1368

Thanks Fazza,
Exactly what I was after! That tail looks sweet! Fits in perfectly between Dom and alt.

Drivey, fast, good paddler and goes well in a variety of conditions. The reports on the unibrow sound unreal!

i think my stealth is going up for sale to fund a 60 or 61 unibrow.
Thanks again!

[Fazza]

Wow no wonder its a speed demon, thanks for that, I think this could be my next FW, by the way how far does it continue up the board?

The single concave basically starts from the front of the board and then goes into a double through the fins.

[silentp]

Thanks fazza looking forward to feeling one up, none up here in shop racks, out of the new releases only seen a couple of vanguards and MDs

[Slowman]

How bout UB versus Jacknife Fazza? When would you use what? Or is your JK gathering dust?


JK gathering dust at the moment :(

Sounds like the UB covers everything the JK handles and maybe better? Fazza how would you compare the UB against the JK?

[Matt_s]

Thanks for posting all that fazza I'v been trying I decide between a Ub and cc for a while, all that really helps (although all I know now is I want both)

[Fazza]

Thanks for posting all that fazza I'v been trying I decide between a Ub and cc for a while, all that really helps (although all I know now is I want both)

If you have the money get both.........they have a different feel about them.....i really like the CC and will keep surfing it.

[Fazza]

Sounds like the UB covers everything the JK handles and maybe better? Fazza how would you compare the UB against the JK?

I haven't ridden the JK for a little while now cannot really compare the UB and the JK fairly. I like the fact that the UB is a little shorter and narrower and has a tad more volume.

Hopefully i can get to surf the UB a few more times this week.

[Chris]

Guys the JK is a little more refined overall and has a higher performance ceiling. I rode my unibrow this weekend in head high punchy reefbreak and liked it, but swapped it because it was a little too fast for my Alternator. MY Alt had better control. THe Jacknife for sure would have handled it. one think i notice is that the steeper the wave gets, the more refined i like my board, its not always a reflection of size, sometimes just shape.

So long story short, Unibrow is probably a more versatile board than the JK, but in GOOD conditions, the better surfer may prefer the refined characteristics of the Jacknife.

Cheers

[Fazza]

Surfed the UB this morning on a nice reef break with a bit of push and the occasional nice drop. Today I used the AM1 Blackstix that i have been loving in the CC, did not like them at all......too stiff.

I am going to try some V2F4's which are a small fin and compare them to the MB3's i used when i first surfed the UB.

[dawnbuster]

Hi there Fazza,have you had any more surfs on the Unibrow after changing fins and if so how did it go?

[Fazza]

Hi there Fazza,have you had any more surfs on the Unibrow after changing fins and if so how did it go?

Will be surfing it tomorrow with the V2F4's in and will let you know.

[dawnbuster]

Will be surfing it tomorrow with the V2F4's in and will let you know.

Hi there Fazza, did you get to surf the unibrow again .I know I have asked this before but I am waiting to pull the trigger on the brow but before doing so would like a bit more feedback on its performance capabilities as I have not had the chance to see one in the flesh .Any info would be appreciated .Thanks Fazza.

[buzzy]

Yeah, I'm still super interested in feedback - as much as possible. How does it surf? What conditions does it work in? Which conditions doesn't it work in? How much volume do you need at a given weight? How does it compare to other boards such as the Dom, Hellfire and Alternator?

The more feedback the easier it becomes to refine my own choices.

[Fazza]

Hi there Fazza, did you get to surf the unibrow again .I know I have asked this before but I am waiting to pull the trigger on the brow but before doing so would like a bit more feedback on its performance capabilities as I have not had the chance to see one in the flesh .Any info would be appreciated .Thanks Fazza.

DB
I tried the board again with small fins and it was a small day. I am really struggling with the turning the board in either small punchy waves shoulder high to above head high. I think it is because of the wider tail and the deep double concave through the fins but more than likely it is just me. I tried my CC in the same conditions and i had a blast on that board over the UB.

The board paddles really well and i love the feeling of the take off on the board and it can handle a drop but for me i really struggle turning the board on forehand or back hand. I was hoping that the UB would handle the same as the CC but work better in the upper end of the CC wave range. I am thinking that you probably need to surf this board shorter rather than what you think due to the tail width. When you compare the tail width to the Mini Driver the MD is way more refined.

I think it is a great board and love the shape but i am struggling to get it to work well for me at the moment.

[buzzy]

Mmmmm. Interesting.

[dawnbuster]

Thanks Fazza,appreciate your thoughts on the board.I hope you get to sort things out.Could be fin choice.Sounded like the mb3s went ok for you earlier on.The cc might be the board to look over.

[Fazza]

Thanks Fazza,appreciate your thoughts on the board.I hope you get to sort things out.Could be fin choice.Sounded like the mb3s went ok for you earlier on.The cc might be the board to look over.

The MB3's were definitely the best but still did not feel like the Chedda did with the AM1 Blackstix.......like i said it is more than likely me not the board so much.

The other thing is the MB3's do not have an inside foil where as all the other fins i have tried do. May be a small F4 in Techflex which don't have an inside foil......do not want to go any buy any more fins unless i have to.

[Matt_s]

I keep leaning one way towards the cc then the unibrow, think I can only justify one at the moment (also wanting a potatonator as well!)

Have you found any significant advantages of the ub over the cc fazza? If you recon the cc can handle a decent size wave with a bit of punch almost as well as the ub I might just pull the trigger on the cc.

Just love the look of the cc too much, looks like it might be that magic board but am a little worried it won't be any more hp then my ef.

[Focus]

Thanks for the reviews Fazza, in regard to the UB not turning that well have you looked at your foot positioning I know the Flex and Alt boards covered up a lot of my mistakes, when I started riding the Hellfire I had to get serious about getting the back foot into the sweet spot.

[Fazza]

Thanks for the reviews Fazza, in regard to the UB not turning that well have you looked at your foot positioning I know the Flex and Alt boards covered up a lot of my mistakes, when I started riding the Hellfire I had to get serious about getting the back foot into the sweet spot.

Yes I have been checking on my foot placement and i always have my deck grip just in front of the leg rope eyelet and almost all of the time get my back foot right back and my front foot hopefully in the right spot. The CC is just so easy to ride and turn for me compared to the UB....the CC is probably more forgiving. The UB turns fine in smaller or less powerful waves but anything with decent push i definitely am having to work a lot harder that the CC.

[buzzy]

Has no one else surfed a Unibrow? Thanks to those who have given a review but do far its a sample of two only I think including Chris.

[hawaii_boi]

Has no one else surfed a Unibrow? Thanks to those who have given a review but do far its a sample of two only I think including Chris.

buzzy, I was able to fondle a unibrow and chubby chedda the other day. It looks like a dominator and hellfire fused together. Initially i wanted a unibrow but after seeing it, I think I like the shape of the chubby chedda now. As soon as the shops bring in demo boards, i'm jumping on the chedda!
ALOHA!!

[Fazza]

I tried the UB again with same fins as first surf Futures MB3's and still did not enjoy it as much as the CC. I have been surfing a 6'0 Mini Driver for the last week first with MB3's and then with some WCT's. I really enjoyed surfing it, the waves were a reasonable size and had some push. The board feels really nice on the take off, smooth in the turns and has plenty of speed. I found it really easy to turn and manoeuvre on the wave face, felt like the UB on the take of but so much easier for me to turn.

The CC is a really nice and fun board to surf and in the small to mid range wave is fantastic. It can handle slightly bigger waves but the MD can hang out in bigger waves better. I think the UB is going and the MD is probably more what i was after.

[buzzy]

I tried the UB again with same fins as first surf Futures MB3's and still did not enjoy it as much as the CC. I have been surfing a 6'0 Mini Driver for the last week first with MB3's and then with some WCT's. I really enjoyed surfing it, the waves were a reasonable size and had some push. The board feels really nice on the take off, smooth in the turns and has plenty of speed. I found it really easy to turn and manoeuvre on the wave face, felt like the UB on the take of but so much easier for me to turn.

The CC is a really nice and fun board to surf and in the small to mid range wave is fantastic. It can handle slightly bigger waves but the MD can hang out in bigger waves better. I think the UB is going and the MD is probably more what i was after.

One thing I was pondering was whether you were a back or front footed surfer. But then I looked at your weight and the size of board you were surfing and I think I see an explanation for your lack of enjoyment of the Unibrow - it's quite foamed up for your weight. With the Unibrow with so much of its volume located in the centre of the board that might multiply any issues you migth otherwise have had. While I haven't seen a CC I have seen a Mini-Driver and it definitely has a more even foam distribition.

This leads me to a "developing theory" of mine. I expect that the Unibrow will work better for back foot over front foot surfers, and it looks like because it is particularly thick around the centre relative to other shortboard hybrids the relationship of volume to weight is even more important than normal. I imagine a touch too much volume will be accentuated with all that centre mass (relative to its peers).

[Chris]

hey buzzy,
of the 3 big new models(Vanguard, Chedda, Unibrow), Timmy Reyes likes the Unibrow. the board is insane. For a competent and reatively fit surfer, it has the ease of the Dominator and the performance of a shortboard. Super clean and fast.

[kdropin]

still on the fence between the unibrow and the chedda.. looking forward to seeing some video of the boards in action

[buzzy]

hey buzzy,
of the 3 big new models(Vanguard, Chedda, Unibrow), Timmy Reyes likes the Unibrow. the board is insane. For a competent and reatively fit surfer, it has the ease of the Dominator and the performance of a shortboard. Super clean and fast.

Good to know. Thanks Chris. Reyes is a bit of a whippet isn't he? Kind of destroys my "big guy" theory!

I think I'm now settled the Unibrow will be added to my quiver. The only issue is timing and finances. Just feeling up the board it feels pretty clear to me that for my surfing style it will work as an everyday steed. I suspect I'd keep the Dom though for the absolute smallest days (knee to waist).

[Sarge]

Hi Chris, wondering what sizes Timmy rides in his Dom and Uni? How do they compare volume wise to his HP?

[cucuson]

Hey Chris I am looking for a board to fit in between the Dom 5'10 & the MB 6'0 for head high + reef waves & cant decide which would fit better a CC or Unibrow shed some light?

[kdropin]

mb i'd think b just fine in head high+ no? i'd certainly be on an hp board

[dawnbuster]

hey buzzy,
of the 3 big new models(Vanguard, Chedda, Unibrow), Timmy Reyes likes the Unibrow. the board is insane. For a competent and reatively fit surfer, it has the ease of the Dominator and the performance of a shortboard. Super clean and fast.

Hi Chris,any chance of seeing some footage of timmy riding the unibrow..?I believe you have ridden the board also .How did it go for you and what were the waves like that you surfed it in? Thanks.

[cucuson]

Thx Kdropin you are probably right but I personally feel there is a gap in between that could be filled between both boards or maybe its just my way of reasoning to buy another board for my quiver jeje

[buzzy]

I don't think it's so much a "gap" as an "opportunity"!

[cucuson]

Yep right on , still would love some feed back hands on experiance in the unibrow !!! thx guys appreciate the comments!!

[yokwe]

Hi,

I recently bought a 6'6" Unibrow. Love it! It's the board I've been dreaming of. BUT, due to my a love of beer and dislike of cardio I'm kinda wishing I'd bought the 6'8". Anyone out there buy a 6'8" and recently discover a love of being vegan and doing cardio, wishing you'd bought the 6'6"? I'd like to do a straight up trade. The 'milage' on my board is exactly 6 waves. It's in perfect like new condition.
-C
p.s. if you are concerned for my health you will ignore this and maybe i'll suck it up and loose some weight.... :0)

Board is in the I.E. trade can be done in SD OC or LA.

[Egorian]

How much do you weigh yokwe? I'm debating between the 6'6 or 6'8 now, I',m 95-100kg 215-220lbs.