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
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Dr. Emmett Brown
- Nov 2011
- 2410
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6'0 - 175lbs - 30yrs - SoCal -
503 TG Baked Potato - 506 RF Potatonator - 506 WRF Vanguard - 510 FST Unibrow - 600 FST Michel Bourez - 600 FST Alternator - 602 FST Alternator Round - 603 FST Artillery
Firewire Social: Facebook - Twitter - Vimeo - Youtube
Hey All, use my Firewire email, [email protected] for emergency issues, not my forum inbox. However, please avoid contacting me directly with questions on choosing a board, just use the glorious forum. Cheers!
hey seakale,
Thanks for you review and positive words! means a lot to us to have folks come on and share their feel good stories! Makes a difference!
CHeers and keep ripping.
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Elite
- Dec 2011
- 306
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44yrs / 86kg / 6'2" Mini Driver / 5'8" Potatonator / 6'4" Futura (sold) / 5'8" Sweet Potato (sold) / 6'1" El Fuego (sold) / 6'2" Dominator (sold)
Mate the 6'1" ElFuego was the one that got away from me sadly - had a buyer there and then so I took the cash.
for me it was the most versitile, hassle free, easy to ride Firewire I've owned to date
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