SPARTAN v HELLFIRE

[mrees]

yeah silentp and core, god stuff.

I actually know what the sales guy was trying to say to some degree. I personally struggle to surf the Hellfire because it does feel a little tippy at times. I think this is a result of the rocker and the bottom contours. this makes it a dream of a hybrid, but for some people and their styles, it can be hard to surf like a shortboard. I know while I was on it I kept trying to surf it like a shortboard and found i had to keep shifting my weight back to get the board to work right.

I know the board goes insane but it does feel different than a shortboard, and at times, it can even feel a little bit more difficult to surf.



Cheers

Chris just read this and thought you have just described, what to date, i have been unable to put into words. I find the exact same deal with the Hellfire. When the surf is on and has a bit of push it absolutley rips and i love it, but i have had to adjust and think about using my back foot differently. Not massively so but like you say i need to shift my weight back in order for it to click. I love the Hellfire and use it for the better bigger waves where i surf but it seems a little inconsistent for my liking especially when there is not much power in the wave and i am left thinking would i benefit or get more from a different high performance board? Just wondering if you could help me understand what this might mean about my style of surfing or if a different type of board would suit me better. I really get on with the Dom in smaller waves and it has worked for me well in the juice too but i seem to have trouble nailing something at the high perormance end. I did have a 600 Alternator but found it to have little less volume than i like but maybe that was because i was so used to riding the Dom at the time? I find myself considering swapping the 510 Hellfire for the 600 MB thick or the 601 Hellrazor but will consider any if they fit the bill. Anyone got any suggestions?

[Sarge]

Just saw your post. I was the same with my 6'0" HF and have sold it for a 6'0" MB thick and am finding my transition between my Dom and the MB to be pretty good. I am finding the MB ( for me) has a better low quality wave ability than the HF. And I am pretty used to surfing off my back foot from the Dom.

[Chris]

yeah that is a fair analysis i would say Sarge. The Hellfire is tricky due to its rocker and deep contours on the bottom of the board. For people who have spent a lot of time on conventional shortboards, i think the Michel translates well!!

Cheers

[Bergie]

I should give a shot to the MB in low quality waves .I always felt the hellfire to be a not so good in small or soft wave.I'm looking for a 5'6 dom for summer small soft waves but i also just checked the mini driver that board look pretty sick.Did anybody tried it yet? Is the board is as versatile as they say?Could it be the one board replacing a dom and hellfire???

[H.S.O.]

Hi. I´m currently riding a custom 6'1''x20x2.5 Lost Minidriver as my goodwave allrounder.
I´m 1,85mts 82kgs. 29years. Average weekend surfer.
I would like to add a board for good waves, chest hight plus surf, with good paddle and userfrendliness but with more vertical response at hight speeds.
Would be the MB 6'2'' thick or 6'4'' thin, a good choice?

What would be the wave range and what should I except when compared to my Minidriver?
Thanks

[Chris]

i actually would say to go for the 602 thick!! I ride my shortboards 1-2" bigger than the Mini Driver. Plus it sounds like you won't be in super large surf all that often so you don't necessarily need the extra length of the 604. The 602 will also fit your heigh better.

Cheers

[H.S.O.]

Thanks for your help. Do you think 6'4'' MB would be too long for my hight?
What would be the diference in surfing compared tomthe MD?
Cheers

[Wandi]

Chris just read this and thought you have just described, what to date, i have been unable to put into words. I find the exact same deal with the Hellfire. When the surf is on and has a bit of push it absolutley rips and i love it, but i have had to adjust and think about using my back foot differently. Not massively so but like you say i need to shift my weight back in order for it to click. I love the Hellfire and use it for the better bigger waves where i surf but it seems a little inconsistent for my liking especially when there is not much power in the wave and i am left thinking would i benefit or get more from a different high performance board? Just wondering if you could help me understand what this might mean about my style of surfing or if a different type of board would suit me better. I really get on with the Dom in smaller waves and it has worked for me well in the juice too but i seem to have trouble nailing something at the high perormance end. I did have a 600 Alternator but found it to have little less volume than i like but maybe that was because i was so used to riding the Dom at the time? I find myself considering swapping the 510 Hellfire for the 600 MB thick or the 601 Hellrazor but will consider any if they fit the bill. Anyone got any suggestions?

I have also had a few dramas getting the Hellfire up and going in softer waves. It doesnt seem to come alive unless the waves have some power
I also think you are on the right track and should consider sussing out the Hellrazor
In my opinion the Razor is a good groveller especially if you use the right fins
I was using the Slater quads plus the knubster
One of the advantages of the Razor is the 5 fin option
Definitely worth a look

[core personal training]

spent today alternating 1 wave on spud next on hellfire..(and a few on a minimal..soul arches aplenty)....1 - 2 foot VERY weak surf...hellfire bounced and milked its way through them waiting for its chances to get "three to the beach"... if you ride it small, and off the back foot, and with SA3'S, it has a feather touch and can always find a way to throw spray....

[Waxer]

Just saw this...
I agree with Core....I'm 51, 175 intermediate. I ride a 6'4 Hellfire and found that if your fins are to big it gets real tracky. I first used the SA4's then when I switched them for the smaller large stretch fins, the board just opened up for me. I ride at Upper Trestles which is a reef break and somewhat slow but with the smaller fins the Hellfire works great....