Hellfire, Spitfire or Dom?

[buzzy]

Will, if you're not a strong paddler I'd look to whatever size the buyers guide puts an intermediate of your weight on. If you're super weak you may even add 2 inches length to that.

[buzzy]

Ok, thats 5'8" unless you are like bottom 20% of paddlers. If you're a really weak paddler you should definitely consider a 5'10". I mean weak relative to other intermediate surfers.

[prjwebb]

I dont have a dealer...any suggestions of good UK dealers to get the ball rolling?

Where are you based? Cornwall, Down The Line in Hayle is a good bet. There's boardshop.co.uk and secretspot.co.uk on the south coast I believe.

[Will.]

Where are you based? Cornwall, Down The Line in Hayle is a good bet. There's boardshop.co.uk and secretspot.co.uk on the south coast I believe.

Yeah I emailed firewire and have been linked onto a guy who works for boardshop. He recommends me 5'10. Im having a hard time here deciding which one 5'10 or 5'8, 5'10 or 5'8 ahhhhhh!

How much difference am I going to notice regarding maneuverability and paddling with 5'10 and 5'8.

Thanks for all the help guys!

[LeftLane]

Great advice from forum so far, Will. I vote for the 5'8" Spit. I currently ride a 5'8" DOM (same volume and shape forward of fins) and it suits me in about 80% of the waves we get here in SoCal which is typically in the range you state in your post. I'm your height but heavier and I have no problem getting into waves from 2 foot+. I know everyone leans toward the Spit but I can't say enough about the DOM. Personally I love the look of rounded tails and feel they work for me. The 5'8" DOM or Spit will have plenty of paddle and snap for the small to medium wave range. Setting a rail gets a bit tougher on the overhead stuff but that is where your Flex steps in. Good luck and go small especially if you plan on maintaining or increasing your water time. 5'8" Spit. Do it! :)

[buzzy]

Either the 5'8" or 5'10" will work. You should lean toward the '10" if you're a particularly weak paddler and/or the waves are consistently weak and small. Otherwise the '8" is the way to go.

[prjwebb]

The 10 will have a small advantage in tiny conditions, especially if you like the board to do the work. If you can generate speed well by moving the board around then the 5'8" will have an advantage because the smaller board will be slightly easier to make small adjustments with.
Once you start taking the thing out on headhigh plus days having the smaller size becomes pretty important too I think.
I started in a 5'10" and moved down to a 5'8" because of this. Then considered setting down again to a 5'6"...

[Will.]

The 10 will have a small advantage in tiny conditions, especially if you like the board to do the work. If you can generate speed well by moving the board around then the 5'8" will have an advantage because the smaller board will be slightly easier to make small adjustments with.
Once you start taking the thing out on headhigh plus days having the smaller size becomes pretty important too I think.
I started in a 5'10" and moved down to a 5'8" because of this. Then considered setting down again to a 5'6"...

Why do you think the smaller size for headhigh plus? wouldnt the added length of the 5'10 add a bit more stability? Thanks!

I paddle the 6'3 Flexfire fine and the volume on that is 28.2
The spitfire 5'8 volume is 30. On the 5'10 33.
Iv been riding the flexfire in quite alot of conditions from 2-6ft lately..I dont find it that hard to get it going in the smaller stuff. I just surf it rail to rail and do lots of turns.
I havnt rode my other 5'10 for a bit, but it has more volume than the FF. Although I do remember getting stuck on the lip fairly often with it..could be positioning or not taking that last paddle stroke.

Is it volume or length which makes ease of paddling..

Im leaning towards the 5'8 as it sounds like if i get the 5'10 I will probably want to move down to the 5'8 not long after. Just afraid of losing wave time.

[iggy]

Why do you think the smaller size for headhigh plus? wouldnt the added length of the 5'10 add a bit more stability? Thanks!

I paddle the 6'3 Flexfire fine and the volume on that is 28.2
The spitfire 5'8 volume is 30. On the 5'10 33.
Iv been riding the flexfire in quite alot of conditions from 2-6ft lately..I dont find it that hard to get it going in the smaller stuff. I just surf it rail to rail and do lots of turns.
I havnt rode my other 5'10 for a bit, but it has more volume than the FF. Although I do remember getting stuck on the lip fairly often with it..could be positioning or not taking that last paddle stroke.

Is it volume or length which makes ease of paddling..

Im leaning towards the 5'8 as it sounds like if i get the 5'10 I will probably want to move down to the 5'8 not long after. Just afraid of losing wave time.

Hey Will for the looks of it it seems like "you have been around the block", so my suggestion would be the 5'8"
As far as the ease of paddling goes, is a mix of both, AND the plane surface AND entry rocker
Ifo you didn't find the flex fire hard to paddle then the Spit will paddle itself

[prjwebb]

I find once you start using them in bigger surf the plus sizes start to feel too floaty to have full control at speed. If you want to turn hard and sink the rail going fast on a good sized wave then the smaller size is best, if you want to catch everything in sight and have the easiest ride on smaller stuff, go with the bigger size.
That's my opinion at least.