Upper limits of the Hellfire?

[hanaleisurfer]

Yesterday i took my 6 6 Hellfire into some pretty solid surf at Hanalei Bay. Caught a couple solid waves that were around the 8 foot Hawaiian scale (About 15 foot face) Personally it felt like I was pushing the upper limits of this board, but with saying that, the Hellfire handled those freight trains fairly well. A good solid step up board with lower volume would have probably been better, but for everyone that is worried about the HF being too much like a hybrid to handle good waves, erase those thoughts!!!

[Fritzkat]

8 foot Hawaiian, musta been nice... It barely got 4.5 foot (9 foot faces) and inconsistant here on the Big Island. I have not had the chance to get good waves on my 6-4 Hell fire . it was really crowded here and I ended up with my Dominator. My Dominator proved to the be the best choice, until I can get an uncrowded day at one of my favorite breaks Glassy and perfect. I am almost thinking I should have gotten a 6-6 Hellfire

[Chris]

yeah Hanalei,
our guy Chuy just rode a 606 pumping Baja surf last week and was also claiming it as a step up board.

can we create "hybrid-stepups"?

interesting thought!

[prjwebb]

I sense a new model coming on!!!

[hanaleisurfer]

Thats food for thought Chris!! Maybe the Hellfire can be tweaked with a step up version?? Seriously I was really surprised how well the board handled decent sized Hanalei bay, a wave that once it starts getting in the overhead plus mark, can really be a down the line freight train!! FritzKat, sorry to hear that swell didnt wrap into Kona. I know it takes a good strong west swell to get in there. Hopefully you can get that Hellfire in some juice soon. Waves have been going off here on Kauai, so I have been putting on some mileage on my 6 6 Hellfire. At your weight Fritzkat, the 6 4 should be just perfect. I am hovering around the 215 mark, so the 6 4 would have worked for me, but I am a slow paddler!!

[lieay001]

yeah Hanalei,
our guy Chuy just rode a 606 pumping Baja surf last week and was also claiming it as a step up board.

can we create "hybrid-stepups"?

interesting thought!

Hi Chris, just wondering which board would be a better paddler and catch 4-6 foot solid fast point break waves easier? A 6'6 Hellfire (6'6 x 20 3/4 x 2 3/4 = 39.7Ltrs) or 6'4 Dominator (6'4 x 21 x 2 3/4 = 41.5Ltrs)?

In terms of only catching these types of waves (as opposed to how it surfs), would the Hellfire's extra length of 2 inches (and shape) be the better option or would the additional width and volume of the Dominator mean you would not notice the difference that much?

I'm debating which one to get (I might even get both with the intention to use the Hellfire as a step-up instead of say an Alternator).



Cheers

Anth.

[hanaleisurfer]

Aloha lieay001, I have the same two boards in my quiver. Both boards catch waves easy. For the type of waves your describing, the Hellfire is the better choice. How heavy are you?

[lieay001]

Aloha lieay001, I have the same two boards in my quiver. Both boards catch waves easy. For the type of waves your describing, the Hellfire is the better choice. How heavy are you?

Hi

I'm 90kgs (200 pounds) at the moment, 35, slower than I used to be. Planning to get back down to 80kgs eventually. Have been out of the water for 12 months due to multiple operations but about to get back in to it. I tried a mates 6'4 (not firewire and unsure of volume) and struggled to catch waves at this particular break, hence contemplating which one I should go for.

Cheers.

[hwork50]

If you want an easy board to catch waves with go for the Dominator or Spitfire, those boards make surfing really fun and easier than other boards. Just my humble opinion.

[lieay001]

ok thanks mate! I think I might get both :)

[hanaleisurfer]

Thats a good idea!! Thats my quiver right now. Covers everything from knee slappers to double overhead!!!

[Chris]

yeah its a tough call whether you want to ensure paddling OR paddling+performance. I think the Hellfire will be a better all around board for the conditions even though the dominator might paddle a touch better. you'll get a lot more hold out of the hellfire and really be able to draw off your rail when bottom turning in order to get around a big section. The Dominator will be a good call when the wave is a bit softer and the pocket is a bit shorter.

hope this helps!

[lieay001]

Thanks for the responses guys. Interesting, I thought that even though the 6'6 HF has less volume than the 6'4 Dom the added length of the HF would provide better 'glide' and paddle faster. If not, I'll go with the Dom (with the view to adding the HF at a latter date).

I'm also waiting on a SP at the moment, dying for it to arrive!

[prjwebb]

If you're getting a SP, I'd recommend the HF over the Dom. It'll widen your range up a bit more with the SP covering 1-3ft and the Hellfire coving 3-Who Knows-ft.
Where as the Dom is more a 2-4ft kind of board.
The Dom paddles a little better than the Hellfire due to it holding more thickness throughout, it's wider nose and tail, and it's relaxed rocker. On the down side it makes it a little trickier to surf in bigger, more powerful and hollower waves. This is where the Hellfire is going to excel.
I'd make your call depending on the conditions you find yourself in mostly rather than which one has the flat out paddle speed.

[lieay001]

Hi

I live in Victoria, Oz. The wave quality and power is generally good down here with great variety. The intent for purchasing the SP was that there are a couple of breaks down here that I would consider 'Mal Only' breaks, i.e. almost all waves are caught by either long-boarders or potato chip riders. Most short-boarders dont catch much, if anything at these breaks due to the waves being 'fullish'. So I've purchased the SP I guess as a niche board with the intent to use it specifically at these few breaks (having said that I will try it in all other types of waves - e.g. 3-5 foot bells beach/winkipop just for a bit of fun etc).

I think the Dom would cover all other breaks down here.

My thoughts with the HF are similar to the SP. There are a couple of fast point breaks here that when it gets solid I think the HF would be the best option. I now realise it most probably would not be from a 'catching a wave' perspective but more along the lines of performance at these couple of spots.

I think I'll end up with a 3 board quiver to cover everything off!

Cheers

[buzzy]

You could always try a longboard (instead of the SP)! I always said I never would, and I'm still primarily a shortboarder, but longboarding is now my guilty pleasure!

[hanaleisurfer]

Hey Buzzy. I notice you and I are the same age and both have 6 4 Doms. Notice you have a 6 8 Alternator. How do you like that board? I am about 15 pounds heavier than you. Thinking about an alternator to add to my quiver.



46 yoa 215 pounds, DOM 6 4 and Hellfire 6 6

[buzzy]

I like it a lot. I am thinking of getting the 6'6" but that's not because of any performance issues with the 6'8". I've used that board from as small as maybe waist high to double overhead and it's met all challenges. It's best though at around chest high and above. I can't fault it really. It's a great combo with the Dom.

[hanaleisurfer]

Thanks Buzzy!! Thats how I feel about the 6 6 Hellfire. Debated between the 6 6 and 6 4, but settled for the 6 6 for better paddling. I was looking at the 6 8 alternator as a step up board. At my weight, it should be just right!! I really hate paddling!!!


6 4 Dom RF
6 6 Hellfire FST

[Aaron]

Hellfire catches waves pretty damn good, no complaints if you use approximate volume as a Dom. For instance, I have a 6'2" Dom that I don't ride anymore that has 28.5 L of volume, and since I traded up for my Hellfire, It's way better. You can take off later, handle steeper waves and really thrash the lip. LOVE THE HELLFIRE!!!!! But yeah go for bigger fins. AM2's are SICK!

[Chris]

Loving the hellfire testimonials. definitely finding out the same stuff here. Love that thing off the bottom in big surf. such long, driver and stable bottom turns even at high speed.

[lieay001]

You could always try a longboard (instead of the SP)! I always said I never would, and I'm still primarily a shortboarder, but longboarding is now my guilty pleasure!

I was riding a long board for years but sold it. Was a bit board using it and over carrying it everywhere so hence ordered the so cheers

[hanaleisurfer]

Just when we thought we were foaming about the Hellfire, Firewire has officially released the Hellrazer!! The board looks SICK!!!!

[Fritzkat]

HellFire'd my 6-4 as a thruster yesterday on a nice fast point break wave at Head high+.
This was my 3rd time out and the 1st time on a good breaking wave, The board worked great from drop in to last cut back. It holds the rail really well on the steep faces (effortless) and no problem bottom turning with speed. With all the given speed of the wave never did I feel the board skip or jitter. I am still figuring out its sweet spots getting used to slicing higher and tighter as the board is felt on each additional wave I play on.. My session was cut short by increase of crowd and lack of consistant waves. Can't wait for another flawless wave session.

I learned to paddle the HellFire a little faster with my chest flattened noseward, whereas on the Dominator I was paddling with my stomach flat in the middle of the board. A little more energy to paddle the HellFIRE, with just a slight change in posture for the rocker.

[core personal training]

just back from 6ft thick open water peak..left was sunset bowl in reverse.(for 3 waves til the tide turned and my back told me to stop)..you would think i needed a 6'3 h'perf or even a 6'6 step up..with the water movement and draw up the face...but was laying the 5'10HF over full weight delayed back-hand bottom turns to swooping full rail off the tops..power held throughout...looped through each combo like a comp board into the next combo...no hint of hybrid at all...sa3's in the engine room....dont need my am2's sweep....board has projection built in..and then some

[hanaleisurfer]

ALoha Fritzkat, stoked to hear you finally got some good waves on the HF!! Coming from surfing a Dom, it takes a few sessions to figure out the HF. I admit, my first couple surfs on the HF, I wasn't quite sold. To me, the HF has a smaller sweet spot than the Dom. The Dom is more forgiving where you place your backfoot. But once you figure the HF out, you will probably put the Dom on mothballs for a while. Especially when the surf turn on!!

[Fritzkat]

Hanalei, True dat. Dominator is about 6 summer months of surf here, Hellfire for the really clean days with barrels inbetween and Quadra Five for the bigger open face days.

[Slowman]

I just picked up my Hellfire yesterday, surf's crap but I can't resist I'm still going to give it a try, but I saw there is a 2nd hand 6'6 Hellfire at the shop and kind of cheap in good condition. Would it be worth buying for bigger waves? The idea being more volume get into them faster, or would this extra volume become a liability?

I'm roughly 92kg right now and likely to loose more weight. Probably a bad idea...it just looks like a bargain :)

[hwork50]

Save your money for a Potato and surf the small stuff.

[core personal training]

actually save it towards a hellrazor

[hwork50]

Ok, I like that idea.

[Slowman]

actually save it towards a hellrazor
Bingo!

After surfing the 6'2 Hellfire even though slightly less volume than the 6'0 dom there is plenty and it seems to paddle and catch waves as easily. It was 3' onshore but a couple of rip bowls to be had - the thing hoots along on anything with a pocket, tons of speed, floats well over broken water and quicker off the top than the dom - just in the few waves I had. I feel like I know this board already, feels and surfs like a cross between my old Webber Afterburner and a single to double concave bat tail I have but looser. Can't wait to try it in good waves.

[core personal training]

good stuff mate...wait till you get it in head high or over glass...far out, its the closest we will get to bare foot surfing..total slippery freedom

[gkekoa]

Thats food for thought Chris!! Maybe the Hellfire can be tweaked with a step up version?? Seriously I was really surprised how well the board handled decent sized Hanalei bay, a wave that once it starts getting in the overhead plus mark, can really be a down the line freight train!! FritzKat, sorry to hear that swell didnt wrap into Kona. I know it takes a good strong west swell to get in there. Hopefully you can get that Hellfire in some juice soon. Waves have been going off here on Kauai, so I have been putting on some mileage on my 6 6 Hellfire. At your weight Fritzkat, the 6 4 should be just perfect. I am hovering around the 215 mark, so the 6 4 would have worked for me, but I am a slow paddler!!

Wus yo height and weight? i just ordered a 6'6 hellfire and i live oahu. i am about 5'10 195, but i like da paddle of bigger boards too even tho i got frenz telling me to go smaller. wat kind of fins u use. i ordered it wit futures. i kinda wanted a step up from my 6'8 surftech predator. i surf 3ft Hawaiian + mostly surf East side spots and north shore secret spots. mahalo, g

[hanaleisurfer]

Howzit gkekoa! Im 510 and about 215. You probably could have gone with the 6 4 Hellfire, but the 6 6 should be fine. Im at that border line weight where I could have gone with the 6 4, but wanted the extra paddling of the 6 6. The hellfire likes big fins, especially for guys our weight. You should look at at Panchos, AM2 or Simon Anderson fins.

[core personal training]

good fin choices there

[Slowman]

surfed the hellfire in overhead waves on Sunday it handled it great, better hold than the dom for sure, able to push it off the top and pretty much anywhere on the face, never felt like it was going to pop out.

[Chris]

good feed back there Slowman

[gkekoa]

I tried a the futures Simon andersons futures blue quad set (1st time wit da quads) in 3-4 HI windy surf. i kinda liked da hellfire in wit da quads i was flying past sections and da turns were alright. it didnt handle da drops too well in the dumpy surf. anybody wanna comment on this, i went to a surf shop to chek out da 6'4 hellfire cuz the 6'6 does seem kinda big for me they had both the fst and rf. brah i was tripping out but da fst is thicker all around, heavier and stiffer. da rf bottom seems softer when i squeeze it and is thinner, even the guy at da shop was tripping out. IS that a difference between the two technologies? They say they are the same dimensions but there was a noticeable difference. anyone cheked dat out?

[Slowman]

The chances are if the hellfire didn't handle the drops then nothing else would either and it was really a reflection of the conditions. I find my HF handles the drop beautifully, better than the dom or spitfire, gets to the bottom faster and then bottom turns as hard as I want. I've had it out in almost double overhead and it handles like a dream. After 40 years of surfing I don't think I've had a board that paddles in and takes the drop as nicely. A couple have been close maybe as good but not better.

I also ride mine as a quad with Rusty R2 quads and a very tiny stabiliser fin, much smaller than the knubster in height but similar length. I took the HF out in 3-4' waves yesterday in onshore conditions and it still went very well and handled the drops no problem.

[core personal training]

dont ride the HF too long...its meant to be short...then it fits in any wave no problems..

[hwork50]

Slowman, you should do a write up of the Hellfire vs. the Spitfire vs. the Dominator, would love to hear your thoughts on that?

[buzzy]

Me too!

[Slowman]

Slowman, you should do a write up of the Hellfire vs. the Spitfire vs. the Dominator, would love to hear your thoughts on that?


Me too!

By popular demand and after only 3 surfs on the Spitfire I think I can cover this.

Spitfire v Dominator

Today's surf was small occasionally shapely waist high to chest high waves. The spit went very well and I had a lot of fun on it. At this size there isn't really too much difference to be felt between the spitfire and the dominator. The spitfire will do a mid face hack a little better and maybe it comes off the bottom a little better in as much as you can go a bit more vertical (maybe). Reos and floaters feel about the same really in this size surf. The differences I think are going to be amplified with size and power where you will notice the extra performance more so. The 1 overhead day I had on it, it really felt good with the extra bite in the tail. Once on the wave it felt a little like the hellfire but it still felt like the dominator on take off because of the flatter rocker.

Spitfire v Dominator v Hellfire

The Spitfire and the Dominator are boards that basically compete over the same turf. It's really a preference of one over the other depending on your tastes, style and maybe even ability. A bit like buying the car with a turbo, if you are not going to drive fast it will never get used or noticed. While the spitfire offers something extra over the dominator they are still very similar. Now the Hellfire is a different story. It really is in another league. It is meant for better waves and a bigger size range. It covers different territory. Again it can still surf waist high waves that have some shape but once above chest height its performance leaves the dominator and spitfire for dead. The extra rocker, combined with the plan shape just makes this board drop into steep waves and turn anywhere you want on them like magic. Added to this, the single to double concave helps this board accelerate off the bottom and give it speed to burn and the tail gives it some nice control at speed. I've written more on the Hellfire in the Hellfire Reviews thread if you want specific details. But as a comparison the Hellfire is quite different to the Spitfire and Dominator, which are fairly similar.

[Chris]

great stuff slow man!

[hwork50]

Nice! I just did a little write up myself in the Hellfire review section. It was only my second surf on the Hellfire but it was awesome. too bad I lost a fin in the process. ( it just fell out)

[Slowman]

BeatLloydy had one of his fins just fall out too and he couldn't remember hitting anything, also a futures fin system. Perhaps you need to check the screw regularly since there is only one holding the fin in.

[Fritzkat]

You gotta check your futures screws and get used to it stopping short of a full thread in. Dont fool yourself, Sometimes sand or even dried salt and silt keeping you from a full thread into the fin. I have seen more people lose their fins thinking they seated them correctly. Same with FCS although they are shallower. Futures has a deep thread to set.

[hwork50]

Yeah, I will be checking my screws in the future.

[Fritzkat]

hwork50 . just my opinion. I have lost 2 Futures fins ($$$100's) before and realized I did not properly seat them. Many FCS usually break ($$$100's) at my weight so i switched to Futures only so I do not have to worry about the fin break in performance. Id rather have more boards than chase down fin sets.

On futures I usually count 8 half turns in (and 8 half turns out for consistancy) feel the fin seat down a little and look at the rear seat to make sure it is all the way back with no gap and flush against the back of the box. on removal of the fin, 8 half turns out for consistancy, the fin should clear the screw on the 8th turn, then wash out sand silt and salt from the fin box. (this is simple and I think we all know what to do but forget to ) Just like when you check your leash before and every session for fin cuts and swivel wear, check your board for unnoticed dings and cracks in the glass, I alos check my boxes and fins for cracks etc..


Yeah, I will be checking my screws in the future.

[hwork50]

Not a bad idea. Thanks for the head up. I wish fins did not cost so much as I think the cost has gone up in the last couple of years.

[Fritzkat]

Slowman.
I have the Hellfire 6-4 Love it and I use it when the surf is firing.
I have the 6-4 Dom use it for all else with an edge over everyone else. the Spits I saw at the time I chose a board were not impressing me with the diamond tail, maybe that was my perceptional mistake.
and after reading your Dom vs Spit vs. Hellfire comparison . I was wondering if you had to replace a board between the Dom or the Spit from it breaking, what would it be? and what with.. Not knowing exactly what the Activator is going to be like but got a hint from Chris, saying "Its more refined, has a little less volume and a touch more rocker to go along with a slightly narrower nose and tails" and obviously the tail is a double wing swallow pulled in tighter than the Dom and probably tighter than the Spit. would the activator' be your next candidate?

[iggy]

Not a bad idea. Thanks for the head up. I wish fins did not cost so much as I think the cost has gone up in the last couple of years.

Improvement in technology,new materials and demand

[Chris]

fins teams are getting bigger too as are their collab programs. believe me they are necessary because multiple shapers, athletes, etc getting involved lead to better fins for us.

[Slowman]

Slowman.
I have the Hellfire 6-4 Love it and I use it when the surf is firing.
I have the 6-4 Dom use it for all else with an edge over everyone else. the Spits I saw at the time I chose a board were not impressing me with the diamond tail, maybe that was my perceptional mistake.
and after reading your Dom vs Spit vs. Hellfire comparison . I was wondering if you had to replace a board between the Dom or the Spit from it breaking, what would it be? and what with.. Not knowing exactly what the Activator is going to be like but got a hint from Chris, saying "Its more refined, has a little less volume and a touch more rocker to go along with a slightly narrower nose and tails" and obviously the tail is a double wing swallow pulled in tighter than the Dom and probably tighter than the Spit. would the activator' be your next candidate?
Fritz, I've still only had 3 surfs on the Spitfire, so the romance is just beginning! So I guess I'd get another spitfire. I initially didn't like the look of the Activator, it reminded me of those old screwdriver tails but it seems to be growing on me and might be a consideration though I'd like to demo one first and/or read a few reviews.

[gkekoa]

Hey Chris and anyone else looking to get 1 or 2 boards to round out my quiver, like the 3 board comparison, i curently have HF 6'6 im 195lbs ride waves on east side oahu. usually 4ft to 8 ft. not north shore power but not south shore power either kinda in between. looking at getting new board like the paddling of the my HF but seems big on the turns. i curently ride it as quad cuz it seems to respond da best. i was wondering if i should get a 6'4 HF or get a dominator or alternator. dont want overlap or else i know the boards r just gonna sit there and its not practicle for my funds right now. just dont want to get too many similar boards. whats a good 2 board quiver if can only have 2 and why? the last thing is do u think i need to even get a high performance board or will these performance hybrids do the same thing but with better padling . mahalos

looking at 6'0 or 6'2 dominator (friend said might be too big), 6'8 alternator, 6'9 hellrazor, 6'3 or 6'5 activator, or 6'4 HF

[gkekoa]

Another question for u guys? do you think the fst is more floatier or paddles better than the rapid fire. i tend to go with the FST cuz its stronger. i also recently saw the same size 6'4 HF at a surf shop and the FST seemed thicker all around. i recently had 2 friends 1 crease d his rapid fire (HF) underneath and the other broke it with creases under the bamboo (spitfire), both had it under a couple of months. i dont think ill even think about getting a rapidfire. any similar experiences, mahalos

[Fritzkat]

gkekoa, I have heard similar about the rapid fire, the FST Hellfire I am riding seems stronger, albeit stiffer also. The RF have a twangier flex for smaller waves that I prefer under head high. I have had my RF Dominator for over 1.5 years and no creases yet, but sustained a small amount of dings, especially after I ran someone over that wanted to be in my line. I am planning to get RF activator (either a 6-3 or a 6-5) for the tighter bowled waves to compliment my Dominator.
Flotation wise I felt the RF were more boyant and lighter, but also cautiously fragile avoiding the board eating/ snapping thumping close out.

[Chris]

yeah gekoa, FST is stronger and more durable.

for your new board or boards, where do you think the biggest hole in your quiver is? What waves do you think you need to address the most?

Thanks and stoked on everyone's support!

[Slowman]

Back on the upper limit thing for a second. Last weekend I went away to the Lake Macquarie area and scored some really good waves. The locals who were very friendly have asked me not to say where and since they were so good to me I won't! I paddled out on Saturday afternoon in what I thought was 5-6' and got hit on the head by 8' sets! It was high tide and these waves had a lot of water in them, massive. It was onshore but it didn't look too bad from above but out there it seemed like a totally different story. With only 4 out, at one stage everyone else got washed in and I thought they'd gone in and left me out there to get picked off by the sets and drown!

The HF doesn't seem to like big fat lumps. These waves were fast but fat and lumpy and it started to feel very skatey. Sunday morning; offshore and higher tide early and similar feeling, though as the tide dropped and things hollowed out the HF lost the skatey feel and went back to being the ideal board like it was on rails just hung in and came off the bottom with speed and hit the lip and you could go vert or float or hook straight back into a cutback before dropping back down - the normal way this thing goes. BUT definitely the HF does get skatey in large lumpy (double o/h) waves.

[gkekoa]

I guess da musher waves. Doesn't seem like the hellfire tail likes it. I tried a 6'4 HF and I could still paddle it ok. Think I'm gonna get a 6'4 HF for steeper waves and want get a dominator or any other suggestions for mushier and harder to paddle into waves like summer town waves. Wat size u guys recommend and board? Ii figured I betta stop typing in pigeon cuz people may not understand, mahalo, g

[gkekoa]

Fritz, wats da percentage u ride your boards and under what size and surf conditions for Hawaii waves? How does your HF compare to your Dom ?tanks gkekoa