Stuck on sizing and spitfire/dominator choice

[hdeb89]

I'm looking at getting at getting a firewire, and since my local shop that stocks them isn't that knowledgable, I'd be stoked for some feedback here.

I'm an intermediate surfer (comfortable up to just overhead, can trim down the line, slowly learning to pump properly to generate speed, and can make some mellow turns on the face) living in Vancouver (so I can't surf all that regularly). I've been surfing for 6-7 years but never consistently so my progression has been fairly slow. I've owned a number of used boards, and right now have a big guys short board (6,6 x 20.25 x 2.5) for when it's small/average and an old 6,1 thin, narrow wade tokoro shortboard for the few days when it's pumping which my brother gave me. There is also a good chance I may sell those two boards to help pay for this.

I've ridden a couple of the shorter, fatter hybrids and been really stoked on them so am pretty much set on either a dominator or a spitfire as a "do it all" board, leaving the wade tokoro for a the rare days when it's wayy overhead. (I'm also for sure not a good enough surfer yet to really make the most of it). I'm about 6foot, 22yo, 159lbs and being in the NW i'm always in a full wintersuit, boots, gloves, hood etc

The surf here is usually anywhere from knee to head high, so that's kinda the range i'm aiming for, and leaning towards the spitfire as i've read the narrower tail will hold better when it starts to get to shoulder high, plus I feel like it might be a better board for me to grow into? But honestly I'm not sure. I'm just not sure what size to go for and i'm not too knowledgable on boards. The buyers guide recommends a 5,10, the volume calculator recommends closer to a 5,8, and it seems on the forum many people heavier than me are on a 5,8. I looked on the CBD and saw that there is a 5,9 option so was thinking maybe that, but would be stoked if you'd be able to give me some advice on which board you think would be best, and the sizing?


Here are a couple photos of the breaks I surf, to give you an idea what it's often like, though we for sure get bigger/smaller days!

http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/North_America/Canada/West_Coast/sombrio_beach/photo/photo_surf_Canada_West_Coast_sombrio_beach_425acaa de884c.jpg

http://victoriaweddingphotographer.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Vancouver-Island-Photographer-Sombrio-Beach-Stock-Photography-Surfing-001.jpg

http://surfquebecopen.com/2009/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/paul-hugues-4.jpg

http://hwimages.magicseaweed.com/photoLab/127586.jpg

http://islandnet.com/~rkashino/Jr.jpg



Cheers!

[buzzy]

They look like really fun waves. That second shot looks Trestles'ish, but mushy.

Given how you describe your surfing I'd opt for the 5'10" over the 5'8". Both would suit - just the 5'8" would be harder work (albeit offering more potential "high end" performance). I reckon it's a toss a coin exercise between the Dom and Spit. I personally like round tails and other more fluid shapes. I'm not sure if that's aesthetics or performance or both. I'd like to think both. So I have a Dom and never complained.

[iggy]

Well if you ask me I will throw in the 5'8" Spitfire. A bit more performant board for those conditions. Draws closer arcs, a bit more pivot due to the tail design.
Both are pretty much the same boards from the front fins upwards. The "bevelled" tail shaves up some volume there when you needed, where the plane area will maintain the same but with less volume, allowing you to dig the tail with a bit more ease
But again its all about preference. Given that you are 6'1", I don't know how would you feel with a 5'8". 159lbs with a 5/4 wetsuit boots and gloves puts you right on the 5'8".
Those breaks look like you could be considering the Hellfire as well!!!

[prjwebb]

Oops I replied to the dupe thread.

[Chris]

yeah I am on board with what people are saying here.

I think the 510 would be my suggestion because it will bag you a few more waves and still be easy to use.

If you think you are going to be getting in the water a bit more, then you certainly can get after the 508 but its going to be a bit more of a challenge up front. You want to think about and make the best choice for you...I think you'll be stoked either way!!

[hdeb89]

yeah I am on board with what people are saying here.

I think the 510 would be my suggestion because it will bag you a few more waves and still be easy to use.

If you think you are going to be getting in the water a bit more, then you certainly can get after the 508 but its going to be a bit more of a challenge up front. You want to think about and make the best choice for you...I think you'll be stoked either way!!


Sweet thank you! Do you think I should perhaps go for the standard 5,9 spitfire off of the CBD then as a balance between easier wave catching, and something that will et me progress into?

[Chris]

I think that is a preference call as to whether you want to wait for the board to be built. Would the board suit you better? yeah it could, but you may go fine on a stock model as well.

up to you! I am not strongly pushing one way or the other....

[hdeb89]

I think that is a preference call as to whether you want to wait for the board to be built. Would the board suit you better? yeah it could, but you may go fine on a stock model as well.

up to you! I am not strongly pushing one way or the other....


Sweet, cheers for all the advice so far! The only other question I had was at 155lbs and with a winter suit on, am I going to have an issue duck-diving the 33.5l 5'10"?

[Chito]

Hey Those Pictures look a hell of a lot like Sombrio first peak and some of those rights look like JR. You surf on vancouver island regularly?

[hdeb89]

Hey Those Pictures look a hell of a lot like Sombrio first peak and some of those rights look like JR. You surf on vancouver island regularly?

I live in Van, so not regularly, but pretty much surf just Sombrio and then outside Port Angles in WA when it lines up right! How'd you like your 5,6 Spitfire being over 6ft tall?

[Chito]

Ohh I love it, it is so hyper maneuverable. Allows you to go anywhere you want to on a wave. If you can keep it under control when its overhead and nice and punchy, not top to bottom but with a nice lip to hit right in the pocket, this board absolutely RIPS, you can do any turn you can imagine. I find though that when it gets really steep the wide tail makes the board slide out some when your bottom turning. Does't even have to be big, down here we get 2 ft waves that are so backless they will just kick your ass so on days like that sometimes It slides out a bit. I am remedying this problem with a 5'11 Hellrazor.
For you Up there the Spitfire will have you covered for days up to overhead and a half, and In a full suit with long periods of time where its flat, I would defiantly put you on a 5'8. If you are lazy and don't like paddling than I would recommend a 5'10 to cover the lower range of waves as well since when it gets small down there I know its super fat. This board if you get it in Futures goes INSANE with the Rob Machado Futures set, they compliment the whole purpose of this board which is to be super maneuverable and whippy so well they basically complete the board in my opinion. Ive tried multiple other setups like the F4 Techflex ( which also went amazing but not quite as much as the machado's), the SF4 quad, AM2 techflex, AM1's, EA Techflex and hands down for open rippable waves, the Machado's went the best. Have fun with the waves you guys are getting up there right now, heard its been good.

[Chris]

woo chito!

[hdeb89]

Thanks Chito, that definitely helps! I'm pretty set on the 5,8.

Now just torn between getting just a 5,8 Spitfire, or getting a 5,8 Dominator and getting a 5,10 Hellfire a little later on. (Basically giving me a two board quiver to ride everything.)

[iggy]

I would get the Spitfire but if you can get a sweet 2x1 deal who could resist??;).

[hdeb89]

Would a spitfire/hellfire combo have too much overlap compared to a dominator/hellfire combo as far as a two board quiver goes?

[Fritzkat]

2 different boards on the tail. Transition wise youll be use to the tail configuration on the SPIT with the Hell fire. I went Dominator for the fuller tail on the flatter days

[buzzy]

It's a toss a coin decision but given there's a fair amount of overlap between the Hellfire and Dom/Spitfire, particularly the Spit, I'd suggest a Dom, Hellfire combo just for a bit more differentiation between the boards.

[prjwebb]

Yeah I agree with Fritz and Buzzy. If you want a little separation in the quiver go Dom/Hellfire. If you want that familiarity when you switch between boards go Spitfire/Hellfire.

[Chris]

Totally.

One note!! Don't assume too much similarity though between the Hellfire and Spitfire because of the similar rail shape through the tail. The Hellfire has different width to it from tip to tip, it has a different bottom contour AND, most importantly, a noticeably different rocker. I think if the surfer is competent and wants a "higher performance" board in the smaller surf, the Spitfire/Hellfire is a great combo. I personally think the Hell and the Spit are WAY WAY different boards and I would ride my spit in the same conditions as my dom.

Cheers

[Stevie]

Hey Guys, deciding between a 5'8 SF but wondering if I should go a little bit bigger for better float on really mushy days. I mainly surf beach breaks. So I pretty much see 1-5ft. Maybe 5+ if im lucky
Im 5'9 and 169lbs dry. In regards to experience i'm a pretty average. PLEASE HELP lol

[prjwebb]

I find that the 5'8" offers loads of float for someone our weight and that the 510 was too much. However you might really enjoy the 5'10" if you want loads of float for mushy stuff.

[Stevie]

hmmmm its a tough choice lol.. I just dont want that extra size to effect my performance ya know?

[buzzy]

I'd say 5'10" for you.

Honestly, 5'10" is really quite short. There won't be any compromised performance.

[Stevie]

Alright sweet, Oh ya! and what quad fin set up would be best for my weight/size and surf conditions?