seakale
02-04-2013, 12:33 AM
After surfing the hell out of my Dominator and El Fuego (in 4-10 ft., faces), I am ready to post my thoughts. I am 45 yrs, 6'0, 160 lbs, experienced, competent surfer on Kauai. Because of my age, the wind, currents and powerful swells here I purposefully went with a 5'10 Dom, rapidfire, instead of the 5'8 for extra float/stability. The volume calculator is right on because I bet the 5'8 in less rugged conditions would be perfect for me. I tried about 4 sets of Futures fins and settled on the Rusty R1 5-fin set (I usually ride it as a quad). These fins are amazing and match the RF Dom perfectly- loose and drivey! Nev wasn't kidding when he said the Controllers are magic for the Elf-- they are by far the best fins for that board, no question. My Elf is 5'11, FST diamond tail. I got the diamond for extra squirt, but I bet the swallow goes insane too. The Dom is better for more vertical "hook" type turns and does smoother cutbacks; the Elf catches waves easier and does incredible carves down the line with momentum-- Neither board makes the other redundant. As for a comparison of constructions-- My Rapidfire definitely has more float and is lighter than the FST; the FST has more of the "catapult" flex out of turns and does feel more solid/durable ( but I haven't put a dent in either construction!). Lighter, more buoyant, stronger, great flex, the aesthetics of wood-- I still don't get why everyone doesn't own a Firewire! It's also more economical to buy 1 Firewire that will probably last longer than 3 PU boards (especially if surfed in heavy conditions). I'm so stoked! If anyone has ridden a Unibrow, please give us a report-- that model looks sick