I am 81-83kgs depending on beer intake. 6'0 is a good size as i am intermediate to advanced catagory. I could go a 5'10 I think but I feel it would be to short and not enough nose for my build and ability but saying that i would love to give one a go. i found coming come a size made no differance in catching waves I actually find it easy on the 6'0 and once your up the performance level increases 3 times i am getting the board back under me a lot faster and easier and feel i can whip it off the top easily. Been running those Futures tom macoy, josh macoy????? its a black and blue set 5 fin set i thinks they original for kite surfing???? anyway they work really well and its great being able to change fro thruster to quad with same set. First quad fins i have found that make the board really perform and speed out from a cut back istead of stalling. I am finding through smaller size does mean i need a bit more of a punchy wave and the 6'2 was a lot more of an all rounder I think if your Intermediate surfer and want an all rounder go an MD its perfect one board quiver.

gkekoa

My advice around the MD is go as small as you think you can, then drop another size. I dropped from a 6'2 to a 6'0 and i think i could go a 5'10. I find the 6'0 find it a lot better to surf. MD paddles super easy and picks up waves well. Its a good step from the sub and i find the transition not a problem at all and the boards cover a good range together i find i still surf my sub a lot more and only bring out the MD when its punchy or above 4ft so in my backyard it gets not much use. Hope that helps.

I am waiting on the V2........it hurts when you see it on websites OS and not here in Aust yet

Hey Jase I find my MD is slightly over volumed so for you it might be perfect but it depends on how much volume you like I sort of sit in the middle of most people some dudes like little to none and other perfer a lot and they are equally good surfers. When I sit on my MD in just boardies the water sits just above my waist and just below my chest. If i sir on My Sub at 32.5 the water sits at start of my chest and i feel i am the water a lot more. For 5% volume differance i do notice it. Hope that helps.

Goanna good to hear. I am getting more used to my MD now and finding i havn't really had that bad surf again, i mean I have had some shockers but its the 12 coopers the night before and not the board. i know what you mate is on about the whole dehydration thing I find that if i am surfing 3-4 hours a day over a week or so my performance drops as the days go on and after a few days out i am back on track, but if only surfing a 2hrs every second day i seem to improve. Hope the swells is up down your way.

Goanna my MD is 6'2 I went for this size as i thought the 6'0 would be to small, I wish there was a 6'1 as that would have been perfect for me. I feel the 6'2 is over volume but i don't mind as i wanted the board as an alrounder. I am 85kgs about 6'2 and fit at 41years(how depressing is that) and above average surfer but that depends on the night before. Give it a few more goes first 5 surfs i thought finally found that board, then 3 -4 surfs it was i hate this thing, now after a few more i am back to i think I have found that board again. i surf a mix of beachies and points on far north coast. good luck.

Goanna I agree with you sort of. I have surfed my MD in a mix of waves and have found in some waves for some reason struggled to get on the wave, then an hour passes the and then i am all over it. i have had mine out in 2ft north coast summer junk and caught waves easily out paddling Dominators and other grovellers. Then the next day its 3ft clean classey and a bit more push and its like i am dragging an anchor. Next surf 4-6ft more 4ft and again great board paddle on easy feels great underfoot heaps of fun. For me it has always performed over 3ft. I know all boards will for some reason not perform in certain surf but it seems more so with the MD. I think its a great board a good all rounder and performs when the surf comes on, its super fast and when you get used to it you can really get some power out of it it turns on a dime at high speed and doesn't stall at out coming out of a cutback, sits in the pocket and will drive out super easy. i can't say what surf it won't perform in sometimes it just won't, i just run back to the car get the sub. It is my new all rounder and if i am travelling somewhere and can only take one board this is it.

Thanks Chris Very keen on either shape, need a new groveller.

I am guessing the beach has a magic circle off of it......

Does anyone have any info on when new lost boards be up on site and available in Aust. Thanks

Totally agree with prjwebb. I am still missing the sweet spot occassionally..... but hey.......when i find it, it likes to party.........

Had my MD out over the past couple days in some mixed conditions generally head high to a bit over and the board has been preforming really well. i have found the sweet spot it is a fast board. It can take off extremely late and hook back up onto the face and allow you to line up the wall really well while increasing in speed. Get this board in some solid waves that are throwing and i belive it would set you up nicely. i have surfed it as a quad and feel its better as a thruster but i am not really a quad person. The best thing about this board is you see the lip coming over and you think i am not going to get around this and you do and before you know it your cutting back onto that foam you where just racing.

Finally got my MD and I must say its exactly what i wanted. I have found it works in 2-6ft no worries. i was a bit worried reading other posts it doesn't pick up waves easy...its not a nator.... but I find it picks up waves better then most boards and its on par if not better then my scorcher, if i was going to grab one board to check the surf at the moment the MD would be it (Mind you its new and i have that new board attraction). It is perfect to match the nator as a two board quiver. I wanted a more performance all rounder for the 2-6ft range and this board is perfect. It defidently handles the bigger stuff better then the scorcher or perhaps i just feel i have more confidence on the MD. It has lots of speed its amazingly fast on the take off i am still getting used to how hard i can jam my turns but so far no worries it comes back underfoot super easy it has a nice relaxed feel while cruising down the line but once you push into a turn it comes alive. It seems to go really well in bigger messey surf more so then most other boards. I can't wait to get it into some really solid surf with big walls i think it will go really well. I havn't surfed it as a quad maybe next week. I am really impressed its exactly what Lost said it would be in their blurb about it and i think you can go that bit more volume if you want it as an all rounder and it will still perform or go less if you want a super performance hybrid. Can't wait to see what Lost boards are coming out next.

I have had 6 FW FST boards over the years - since FW started really and I have had two experiences. Five have held up so well its mind blowing, like its really amazing and these boards are a credit to FW. I have had one board snap after been ridden approx 20 times in small average surf, it snapped at the same spot across the deck about 2/3 the way up where i have seen other FST boards snap. I still belive this board was not build correctly(it didn't feel right from the first surf) and passed through a quality control loop hole as i have punished my other ones so much more sever and nothing and this one had a easy life and snap. i know its all based on physics of the wave force on the board etc etc. But i still belive it was quality control and all i ask has anyone else experienced this and if so perhaps FW could look at thier quality control and see if they could improve it to avoid this perhaps they are missing something sometimes. i am not complaining I am suggesting as i hate it when a product you have so much faith in fails you.

Good question jakob.........what are these models......????? prjwebb you must know your a Lost fan....Chris???????

Classic.......

Sorry about the vanguard question i had seen in for some reason didn't recognise the name....to many ales..... thanks for the feed back and vid. yeah a picture of the Unibrow would be great...

Erling, I have a 6'0 Sub and i am the same size as you i find the size is perfect i can get waves 2ft to 6ft but find it struggles a bit with fuller fatter waves but on average to perfect conditions the board is a great alrounder and i surf it 90% of the time, its getting bashed around a bit and i will replace it soon with either a 6'1 Chubby or wait and see what other new models come out next year. Its a good go to board and thats why its always in the car.

What's a "vanguard" and the "brow" or the next spit/dom board coming out? Need a new replacement grovel board.

When will it be available in Australia

I have been demoing a few differant board brands that give volume as to...... i guess test the volume theory and "it works" i look at volume first then assess if the surface area or what i assume is the surface area of the board is adequate if it doesn't match I look at another model or size up the volume. The only board's to date that i found this with was the Potatonator and SP I sized up above my volume range(from calculator and how other boards preform) but still found the boards preform extremly well(SP is my all time favourite board) as i am getting the adequate surface area or i guess rail line or board in the water. I realise everyone has a differant take on it but I belive look at your middle volume range and work from there and don't over think it and go with your gut and reviews on this forum. So boys with this new toy(in FW) give us a run down on your weight ability wave type etc etc and how does the board preform. I remeber the review Nev gave a while back on the Dominator/EL Fugo and it helped big time.

Question is.... When are these bad boys available in Aust... Do I order now????

Buzzy i ordered the 6'2 Minni driver i am 83kgs 187cm(using calculator puts at max end of my volume range) the 6'0 seemed to small so i went for a little bit more volume then less main reason because i will be using this board as my new all rounder hopefully from 2-6ft. I have read tons of differant reports on this board and from all the info i think i am on the right track and like you said it seems the board thins out at the tail and nose so i hope it will still preform with a little mose volume. I saw a vid on line and Matt B says order with a little more volume if your using it as your all rounder, thats in PU but i assume the basic principle applies to FST. I am going to get a hellrazor next or MB as my preformance board, so SP for those days(I love SP days the most), Mini for the in betweens and Something for those days sick leave was designed for and wives dread. if the Minni is to big I'll flogg it off and try a size down i have done this with previous FW its annoying in some ways but you know the nest time round you are spot on. Hope this helps.

Anyone comapred the Sub to the Minnie in Wave catch ability. I was hoping the Minnie would sit between the Sub and Stealth might be wrong here. Prjwebb you given your MD a work out yet? Still waiting for my Minnie...waiting....waiting

buzzy speak to the guys at FW Currumbin I spoke with them the othet day and they said you can now order through your retailer well thats in Queensland. Mine is on the way. It would be nice if a new model was realesed in Aust first instead of always seeing it online then waiting, waiting, waiting............

Thanks Chris, I hope the MD will be my bigger, better day board over the SS and have that differant feel to keep things interesting. I only surf beach breaks, beach can hold up to double over head at the extreme end..... about 10 times a year....... generally waist to half over head is the norm. SS has been great except for the upper end. I am sure the MD will cover this, it was a tough choice between the Jack and Razor. MD now and i will wait for some of these new 2013 models to cover any waves i might be missing out on. Can't wait to see the Tomo designs............

prjwebb you had a surf on it you seem to be one of few with one let us all know how it goes and could you please compare it to the sub and spit cheers enjoy

Thanks, and any one else got a run down, sounds like a good step up from a spit, Dom, or spud. Do you have any photos.

Photo of rock wall could be northern Japan it's amazing how many rock walls there are and it's amazing the way some work trouble is there is snow on the beach and a t-bar 100meters away great place to travel

Any one surfed this yet in FST I heard its in the USA shops

Fazza, give all of us a run down on how it performs.............

hey Chris any thoughts on sizing issue better to step up a bit of volume from a Sub to a Minnie or step down, 6'0 Sub is perfect sit and ride nicely at 85kgs, just need something for those bigger days so torn between Minnie, MB and HRZ, almost got the cash together for one but which one.

Thanks I also want to get a HR at the same time for good days My SP for tiny scorcher for crap to head then th MD for crap over head and as all rounder my activator was a good alrounder till it snapped so I hope MD will sort of cover that but better in bigger stuff

Thanks it's always hard to know which way to go with board size if yor stuck in the middle with volume. My 6' sub is perfect volume but does feel small and loose when it's solid. Do you think the same size MD will handle the bigger days. A 5'8 sub must have been small for you at 6' tall.

Hey Chris just saw this threat keen to get a MD after reading this if I ride a 6'0 sub scorcher which is perfect for me, in terms of volume, and, the MD is for the bigger days that the Sub struggles in, would I want to go up a size to a 6'2MD or go a 6'0. I was thinking up a size to get into the bigger waves but thinking I'll lose to much performance but 6'0 will feel to small as the sub feels to small when it starts getting over head and solid, but is that due to it wasn't designed for that. Cheers.

I have a 6'0 Sub and find the AMs work best for me I have two large forward and a medium in the rear. Saying that i have wanted to put some Lost fins in as the would more then unlikely suit the board. The board will drive really well and the lift in the tail lets you pump down hard and really generate speed when needed. 2-6ft no worries. But the bigger it gets it can't get to sucky or steep but small and sucky steep the board rips, so much fun, 1-4ft it can surf anything really its my 90% of the time board and i don't really use anything else now except SP, tried others but come back to the sub. My mates all have one and say the samething. Best way to test the size of wave to the board i have found if its to big to dive under and not get thrown around then its to big for the Sub. i samshed my Activator now i am going to go a MB or Hellrazor or Minnie Driver to cover that above 4ft range. What though?? thinking I don't know. Have fun with the Sub its a a great board and really is way under the radar like the Futura.

Waiting for the MB to go to live, quick question to those who know, if you took the 6'2 thin and made it wider saw 1/4 to 1/2 how would that effect performance.
1. would it make it paddle a little easier
2. would it decrease or increase preformance in steep, sucky, barrelling waves.
3. make it less loose or more
4. make it feel more like a hybrid.
5. slow it down or speed it up

thanks going to play with one then order can't wait for this template.

Sven Hog, I found Controllers good in bigger swell for control and AM's as thruster for smaller to more average surf.

Thanks core "short and fat" any one else want to argue the core.

Thanks core mate makes sense I think you sold me on the twitchy thing I like control and I want that standard board. Guessing shorter and fatter. You believe it can handle double over head with a possible barrel.

Thanks Sarge all advice helps its like a boiling pot keep adding The meat and you get sauce. Anyone else come on Chris or Nev tune in Is it better to have more length less meat or more meat less length. Cheers

thanks silentp
I know what you mean about one FW to another the transition is fairly easy after on or two waves. I am only slightly less weight then you so i'll go a 6'2 thick as well ....maybe I need to have a look at them to make a decision......not suer

how tall are you and what level would you put yourself at.

cheers

silentp,

thanks what size MB and thickness MB did you go??? keep me posted how was the staility differance take much to adjust or was it a smooth transition. I know what you saying about the sub its good alrounder mines starting to get knocked around(don't bag it and its been dropped a few times kids jumped on it) so its time to replace it and thought i would step up to a MB as need a HP for quiver and replace sub with minnie driver or V-2Rocket at xmas. Anyone else want to give some advice???????

I like my Activator in solid stuff it has more release then my old Dom I am finding it needs the front foot drive to power down the line the draw back to make extremely tight cut backs. It's an easy board to surf in lots conditions similar to Dom but better.

Thanks my 6'0 sub is perfect size float but not sure if I could go smaller as in 6'2 MB thick the volume is right but it's the finer nose and stability that worrie's me. I want a board for thr better waves the days of days. So torn between Chris anyone tune in especially someone ridden both boards. Surf mostly beachies. Thanks

Does anyone know when minnie driver available in FW Currumbin

Prjwebb I just noticed you have a Minnie driver FST ?????? Have I been asleep for that long

STC67 I have both and AC is a easy board to surf and really enjoyable the HF goes better much better in waves with more punch and
is a great performance board if you want to go hard go the HF if you want to go out get heaps waves and have fun AC I am really enjoying my AC because my wave count has doubled. HF will take on bigger waves for sure but I have surfed my AC well over head no worries and waist high no worries. AC is the ultimate hangover board to put it simply. I got the AC to replace old Dom. hope helps.

Set it up as quad.........fast

Secret spot this morning well not really secret but uncroweded with good banks for a change and i don't want those Queerlanders turning up spoiling it. Activator went like a champion a phar lap after a good sleep. I have got my feet in the right spot i think and this board flys. It paddles onto waves super easy and once your up it just wants to go. I am finding a bit of a problem coming off the top hard finding i have to really push it and it feels the design doesn't want to do it. saying that to float off the top or just do a nice cut back it loves its easy. This board loves to cut back then power back out again. Its really stable in a foam ball if taking off in one or you end up in one while cutting back it seems to stay balanced and just cruises out of it. had it on some bigger sets up to half over head no worries and grovelled inside to see how it would go a and same still went good picked up waves and powered down the line. I am not a aerial man but it feels it wants to take off and it feels like you could do tricks etc. I got a an amazing long ride yesterday on a 5ft wall super clean super crowede but this board just allowed me to zip through the crowd and maintain the speed over those flat spots you have to take to avoid some board house wife on a mini mal, i had a ball. STZ67 hold off mate its worth the wait.

Byron beachies today glass head high a bit uneven a bit full but nice if your not to fussy. board paddled like my old Dom picked up waves the same. Once up and moving I could feel the difference in tail its responsive as Nev said once you get the speed up it is no effort to turn the board back into the pocket(suited the wave) and drive back out, straight up to the top, up down, super fast then straight back perfect. Did this a few times to get the feel then i started to really drive hard off the bottom up hard snap with small fan of water off the top then gracefully down. Played on about 15 waves and thats what this board is it feels like a board you go out and have fun on play on and I think it's a positive step and a alternate version of the Dom, never tried a spit so don't ask. It's not better then the Dom it's just different. I will post more over next week interested in anyone else's thought and it looks great also set up thruster I think the tail is to narrow for a quad but will try it out fire wire is always a surprise take the spud first time I saw that I thought it was a piss take now it's one of my favorite boards all time

Fritzcat, i have held an Activator 5'11 , mine in fact, i used to have a Dominator 5'10 and the rails and thickness through the board feel thiner, i might be wrong but it felt more refined and hotted up. Compared to the Dominator it looks and feels like it could handle the sizable waves but still go in the knee high stuff, exactly what i wanted and the tail is wild looks like you will be able to turn on a dime.

I should get it any time now.....i will give a run down once I have a few surfs on it my biggest problem now is Fins....thinking controllers for the quad set up and MB 2 or AMs for thruster.....I think i'll surf the board as a thruster but i will give it a go as a quad. I won't konw till I get my hands on it a get a feel of the tail size.

Thanks, nearly went down the ptnator path over the weekend demoed one , had some fun on it, but thought about it and i'll wait out the Activator, SP 1-3, Sub 2-6 with go in it messy or not and the Activator for those days the Sub doesn't do it which is rare but it does happen.

Hey Chris still waiting for my activator to come one question just out interest do you think a activator with few more liters will pick up waves better then a sub scorcher should say junk waves looks to have less rocker then the sub. Thanks

Fazza cheers its always a hard decision if you can't demo good when blokes have surfed the boards and provide the feed back.

Activator order has been put back due to no stock so its on hold and i have the cash ready to go, frustrating, keep reading the P'nator forum and have changed my mind. Need size advice 6'1 - 81kgs - 83kgs intermediate surfer already have an SP 5'6. Thinking 5'8 but worried won't be enough rail line and won't catch heaps waves but 5'10 maybe a boat. Any advice from those who have riden one.

Ordered 6'1 FST Futures and it's not even Xmas

Sounds good the Eco flex but can't wait the board disease is to strong still can't decide between rapid or fsc for this board least for once I know what size I want......jackknife next after this little beauty sorry potatonator your on the back burner for time being.

I am about to order one of these anyone got a comment on rapid or fcs all my FW to date been fcs thought try something different scared about the strength and flex being a lot lower them expected and what is the new Eco friendly material only seen on brochure haven't read anything on net is it strong and flex like to do right thing if possible thanks

csarqui,

I am 83 kgs and ride a 6'0 sub with L GAM's and love it its perfect for me and never had the problem with what your saying .......however I did try a 6'2 demo and i had exactly what your saying....... it felt to bouyant and i couldn't get the rail in at all. i still had some good surfs on it and it felt more like a fun board good if you are a beginner the bit more volume in the board but for speed and drive my 6'0 is a 100% better.

I am hearing you i have the same problem with my Sub and SP, SP good 1-2 Sub good 3-8 need that in between 2-4 and Chris has already said to me the PN will be a good compliment and i agree but i am still drawn to the Activator but i feel my Sub and Activator will cover the same wave range so I'll hold off on the Activator till I get some more cash up in the savings and go the PN. The PN does look the goods.

Hey norberg,

This might help on sizing i am 6'1 and 82kgs and i ride a 6'0 scorcher with large AMs and its perfect, it paddles well, picks up waves easier then a normal shortboard, can handle well over my head power waves, even had a barrell on it and it held perfectly, it loves sucky beach breaks and loves no it drolls i droll over the beachies when the easterly wind has made it nice and messey and everyone is in carpark watching. It turns on a dime, comes off the top no worries and it will drive off the bottom with plenty speed and power, i had some amazing righthanders the other day to myself(magic morning only after an hour i was joined by a Doctor from sydney who couldn't belive his luck) about 8ft consistent on the face and i really had an opportunity to work the board over and over and it preformed better then expected. The kick in the tail really allows you to turn back into the pocket or pump it a little to accelerate to the next part of the wave. its a great all rounder and i surf that and my potato and nothing else now, i live in a spot with average waves most time so its perfect. hope this helps.

Sweet......thanks Chris........i think you need to go out for a few weeks on overtime...test each board back to back and give a full run down on how each preforms compared to similar models.

...

iggy good summary but...........please I am a bit unsure of what you mean by "being a more polyvalent board" - I had to many coldies last night - I assume you mean more of an all rounder.....better in all conditions on smaller waves. It will be interesting to see what the feed back is once the Activator is being ridden by a few, i am curious if it will have a lot more drive then the spit or dominator, Nev says it will, thats what interests me more the drive factor. So back to the potatonator i assume it will be more "polyvalent" then the spit on smaller waves.

I heard it is now the Activator after talking with some members of the FW team a month or so ago, but i might be wrong.

Question...... what is a more drivey performance board the Activator or Spitfire? There are now 3 boards with the same front but differant back. I thought the Spitfire was a more performance Dominator so whats the Activator a more performance Spitfire. I can't wait to see a Activator i am going to the GC in two weeks i might drop into the FW centre at Currumbin and see if ones on display. Its the only real opportunity I can get to see a good range of FW boards and compare. I was keen for the Jacknife but the more i think about it....don't even get me started on a potatonator is that a softer, cruiser, better wave catcher then the Spitfire, hope so,,,,,,.......any thoughts anyone.......anyone.

I have had a Futura for a few years now and if the Jacknife is a "fully sic re do" then i am done. The Jacknife it is. I always found that with the Futura you had the "Futura speeeeeed" but when you wanted to bring it in tight you couldn't as the tail always felt a fraction to wide. thanks i will be placing an order shortly.