For those that haven't seen it, here is the man Chuy Reyna ripping on a 5'0 version of the sweet potato.

http://dl.dropbox.com/0/view/vq8knr74m561zqn/chuy-smallboard-iPhone.m4v

What's the recommended sizing on these? I'm 5'10, 160 pounds, been surfing for 25 years ride a 5'8 Lost RNF or Rocket.

That video sold me on one for smallish east coast wind swell.

5'2" i would say max 5'4"

502 max. check out the volumes and you'll see how much float it has.

Firewire crew, Are you riding the Sweet Potato at the same volume as your Dominators or slightly less?? Given the flatter rocker and wider nose it seems like slightly less volume would give you the same float/paddle???

On small East Coast garbage days I ride a 5'10 Dominator which is right in between the 5'2 & 5'4 S.P.'s volume. Ayuda me since I'll have to order sight unseen.

I'd go with the 504. I'm 175 x 511 and have been riding the 506 potato because that's all we had. I normally ride the DM510 but will go down to the potato 504 when they come in. Remember this board is best in 1 - 2.5' foot surf. you want foam. Chuy is an unreal surfer but he will be going up to the 502 and he normally rides a DM508. So it seems like the optimum length is 6" shorter than your DM.

I currently ride a dominator 5'10" and I'm going for the 5'6" potatoe. I feel tempted to go for the 5'4" but I think the rail length difference between a 5'10"and a 5"4" will need lots of adjustments

i have had the dominator 5'8" for the last year and ride the thing anywhere from waist high to well overhead surf, love that board. i want something for crap surf and i'm not much of a retro style fish fan but the sweet potato design looks more up my alley. i'm wondering what size. i'm 6'3" and 185lbs. i have been surfing for over ten years. thanks guys.

Get el potatoe!!!! You will love it!!

I am 5'10 and 207lbs but, fit and surf 5 days plus a week. I have a 6'6 dominator that feels a little big (still one of my favorite boards of all time) and a 5'10 quad fish (retro foil) that is SICK!!! I am thinking about a 5'8 Sweet Potato. Any suggestions??? Also, to the firewire guys, when will we get some SP's at the Rip Curl store in San Clemente, CA. The suspense is killing me.

508 potato max, I think you should get the 506. I'm 175 x 511 and will ride the 504, my buddy is 601 x 210 and rides the 506 with ease) - you could easily get by on the 506. they're on the water and should arrive early September, suggest you have RC prebook one or two, there are only 100 in the first delivery.

Thanks for the input. Your buddy on the 5'6 isn't bodysurfing the take offs??? I think I will take your advise though. Riding a 5'6 at 42 years old would really make me smile!!!

Hi Qscdaddy,
Curious with the 6'6" Dom and 5'10" retro quadfish which board paddles into waves easier? Do you find both boards giving you same amount of float while sitting in the water?
Can you expand on "SICK" as far as performance goes for the quadfish?
What size range waves have you ridden it in?
Ridden the 6'6" Dom but haven't had a chance to ride the 5'10" Quadfish yet so keen to hear some feedback from someone who has both.

I would give a slight nod to the dominator just due to volume (45) as opposed to the 5'10 at 42.1. Same goes with the float. However, the 5'10 quadfish is amazily easy to catch waves and super stable at takeoff. By SICK :) I mean that I am able to go beyond vertical when going off the top. I have ridden both boards in head high to 2 ft overhead top to bottom barreling waves with no problem.

I use the 6'6 dominator for "serious" (at least in my 42 year old eyes) waves with lots of water moving around and the 5'10 for just silly fun.

I love both boards and have a lot of fun doing the "math" with the volumes listed on the website. I am 9 lbs away from getting the Dom 6'4!!! and, if I keep up with the oatmeal for breakfast, I should be on a 6'2 Dom in about six months.

Lastly, I have gone through 24 boards in 2.5 years until finding Firewire's. You know, one shapers 6'6 x 20.75 x 2 7/8 could be entirely different from anothers. So I can't tell you enough how happy I am to be able to quantify boards on the firewire website based on volume>

Sorry for being long winded but, I hope this helped.

Thanks for the reply.
I'm 47yrs, 90 kgs and 6'1" so close stats wise.
Tossing up betwen Spitfire 6'6" El Feugo 6'5" or a retro quadfish.
They all have a certain amount of overlap so it's a matter of deciding which strong point is the most relevant to surfing style, wave type and crowds (paddleability).
The new board formula calculator in this website is now messing with my head way more than the volumes tables ever could.
Back on the subject it's interesting comparing sweet potatoes to dominators.
Just looking at the sweet potato sizes that are being recommended in comparison to dom sizes people are riding would put them on SP's with less volume.
The critical difference is in rocker, bottom contour so still need to eyeball the boards.

the first shipment only has 100?? for the whole US or is that just socal? tell me you're sending some east

keep in mind in order to have them by early September, we started making them 2 months ago and our factory is booked out up to 90 days in advance. Back then we did not realize it would become as widely anticipated as it seems to me.

we'll definitely send some back East, but I would place a special order with your nearest FW dealer to make sure they're allocated a few.

I was initially very dismissive about the sweat potato......just looked like I cut my mal in half ...but now I am starting to think twice about it. That vid of Chuy kind of sold me a bit. My concern with anything that wide in the tail is that it will just spin out if you lean into it too much. Mark, Nev, Dan, Chris or anyone else....how does it feel compared to the HP quadfish?? Also, are there any in Australia yet or am I dreaming? I assume they will be coming out with FCS fusion as well? I surfed crumbly crap today and thought man if I had a SWP I reckon I would be loving this rather than getting frustrated......talk to me gentleman.

OK Fan

Picture this...
1 ft MUSH North of Chiba Japan 40 degree's out 15 degrees in. and you have to traverse black sand to get to the water. I am with Akira Shindo, JPSA Champ who RIPS and Randy Pennington who knows these waves better than any whitey.

I am NOT wanting to surf. Couldn't sleep in the car. Too hot... nothing else to do but go for a freezing / hot paddle.

We are in a mock heat and I am winning hands down. They both had Spitfires, which were perfect for these conditions, BUT I HAD THE SWEET POTATO... I cannot tell you how fast you can go and still hit and float your life away.

I traded boards and there was no chance I was winning any more mock heats baby!

This is the best board on this planet for waves 2 ft or less. Hands down.

Randy sweating and ready for the dash across the beach

It's pumping


My secret weapon!

Got to say Nev I pissed myself thinking of you all tired and irritable having to don a steamer in 40+ only to get an icecream headache and burnt feet....still laughing at the thought of that. Anyway, I am sold, can I get one in Aus yet?

They arrive here late Sept / early Oct... I know I know... This is torture! I have to wait too.
They'll be going like hot potatoes. Initial order is mostly pre sold already. What length are you wanting and we'll hold one for you Fan.

The one in the photo is 5'6" which is too big... I have got a 5'2 and a 5'4" coming and think I'll be more into the 5'4", but not sure yet. (I'm 70k and ride 6'2FE / 5'8 Dom)

nev I am 5'8 weigh 85 kgs ... ride a 5'10 Dom , 5'10 HP quadfish, 6'2 Quadraflex (2.5 thick version) etc etc was thinking 5'4??? what do you think?? can I get it with fcs?? I have got all fcs quad sets..

off topic(as usual) FW... you shoulda been at macs...beautiful session ..ticked all the boxes...stayed out hours..my back even bent properly so i could surf like a fast adhd kid....yeeeeew

ok back to the advertised program now.....

thread corruptor dave

Dave, I have only ever had one surf down there. Feels like the end of the earth to me. What wind does it like? I guess pretty protected from southerly? Whisper me your thoughts I am keen to get down there more often.

hey guys,

i messaged a couple days ago about a sweet potato size but didn't get a response. i want to put some money down at my local shop this week to pre order a sweet potato before they are gone. any boards still available for the first run of SP's in 5'4" or 5'6"? i'm 6'3" and 185lbs. i surf the 5'8" dom confidently from waist to head and half high and have been surfing for over 10 years. I'm wondering which of the 2 sizes to get. i previously had a 5'6" thicker foiled QF, but i am not a fan of retro fishes and there wasn't really anything that i could surf on my QF that i couldnt' surf on my dom. my local firewire shop is gorge performance up here in oregon. thanks.

empty 2 weeks ago that torrential rain day....i pop the boot....no f@*king wetty...coldest day of the year...i had to drive away and leave the beach....nearly cried...was going to bolt out for 1 wave in my dick-stickers....!!!

oops...that was meant to be whispered...oh well, i'll leave it up so you can all laugh at my misfortune.....to link it to the thread...this is DEFINITELY not a sweet potato wave....the "inside" face is sucking over a shallow flat ledge...you have options there to do a huge double pumper bottom turn or if your feeling lucky(and have a huge amount of speed) you can take the high road...the good ones wall right through and out of frame on the right...it's also a lot bigger than you think here....

haha that's classic dave. that's the price you pay for not being in a wetsuit every single time you surf at home!

hey bbratta,
i'll forward your inquiry on right now to see what we can do.

As for size, i think at your height you will want the 5'6, just to support your stance. Either on will float you enough, but that is the route i would consider. let us know when you decide n the sizing.

Cheers!!

hey bbaratta,
I just spoke to the inhouse guys about getting an order in for you and it will be no problem, you'll just want to let me know what size and I'll get the order placed.

thanks man, i'll keep an eye out for your response.

Cheers

hey chris,

thanks for the quick reply. i feel the 5'4" has enough float but if your recommending the 5'6" then i''ll take your word for it and go with the 5'6", especially having never seen the board first hand. the shop i usually go through is gorge performance in portland oregon. my name is blake baratta. the shop wanted some money down for the order, should i let them know your putting the order in and have them call you about it? thank you again and when do you think i should expect to see the board? take care.

blake

hey chris does this mean at 5'8 and 185lbs I would be looking at a 5'4?? I too want to put an order in ...I do want fcs though .. thanks

Hey FW-Fan and bbaratta,
my suggestions are definitely meant to be jumping off points. I think in both cases, the 5'4 would have enough float, it would just depend on how agressive you wanted to be. I think at your height bbaratta, the extra length isn't to support your weight, but more the width of your stance. You really could ride either though. so mull it over and hit me back.

FW-Fan, I think both boards will have ample float for you (5'4 and 5'6), but again you want to decide whether you want to be more agressive or chase the extra volume. i don't think either is wrong. Here is a little insight from an earlier post by Mark.

"I'm 175 x 511 and will ride the 504, my buddy is 601 x 210 and rides the 506 with ease) - you could easily get by on the 506. they're on the water and should arrive early September, suggest you have RC prebook one or two, there are only 100 in the first delivery."

Hope this helps a bit guys.

Also news from the top. for all intents and purposes, the whole first round of Sweet potatoes (save maybe 5%) will come with Future finboxes. If you feel that you need FCS, then just be prepared to wait 4-6 weeks extra. In due time both will be readily available, however the launch we have chosen to streamline the vaiables and produce mainly SPs with Future fins.

Honestly, that doesn't make me any less excited.

No rush here, I'll hold off until next summer. Autumn (Fall) is about to kick off here so hopefully I'll be surfing Taj more than a SP!!

Mark, Chris, Chuy, Nev or anyone else w inside knowledge....any plans for the Potato in FST??? Pleeaassee say "yes". And if so, when? Thanks in advance

no plans right now - we've got our hands full right now. maybe by next spring at the earliest

chris,

i'm going to take your advice and go with the 5'6". i'm going to place the order tomorrow. thanks.

blake

so chris does that mean there is no chance I will get a fcs sp in 5'4 in the first shipment to aus or just a small chance? - thanks

that would be right just when I take 4 days off it goes flat ....might be a few little ones on Sunday ... going to give the firefly a flogging hopefully

FW-Fan,
to be safe, yes that is howi would interpret it. Mark said there are very few FCS coming and at this point, i would chalk most of those up to VIP guys who help with R&D. FCS is definitely going to be a longer wait.

bbaratta,
good to hear. let me know if you have any other questions.

Cheers!
Chris

My order is placed at Rip Curl, San Clemente therefore, there is a 5'8 SP on that boat with my name on it. STOKED!!!

get ready....

What fins is chuy using on that 5'-0" SP in the video? Which is the best fins to use? Nev, have you tried your controllers from your El Fuego on the SP?

I'm 5'-11" tall and 175 pounds and paddle battle longboarders and SUP's all day long so what size for me? I'm assuming the 5'-4" which is fine if your surfing by yourself, but when its 1-3' in Waikiki, Makaha, Chun's reef, Lani's or Hale'iwa it gets "all nutz"

I'm on a 6'-6"x21"x2 7/8ths Mctavish micro and a 9'x22"x2 7/8 longboard for smaller days and do all right but would like to rip more without having to pump as much to get it going(quicker planing speed would be great, and correct me if I'm wrong, but the SP should out do the micro ripping smaller waves(and most other boards out there)

Saw Richard Kenvin ripping Waikiki on his hull and knew I wanted something like that one day. How does the SP compare to the hulls/caspers/simmons etc out there?

If its the 5'-4" for me, which fins would work good for that size?

Wish I had a SP in the mid 70's instead of having to stand up using my bodyboard as a grom. Yes I admit I was a Waikiki wall rat w/ Kanoa Mcgee and all the rest of the rat pack.

hey daven,
for those 1-3 foot waves the el fuego will be great!

going down the list of your questions, first off fins: i haven't ridden the board with a lot of different fins so i can't get you a lot of info. I would say though, that you would throw the same type of fins that you would go to if you were about to jump out on your quadfish. I know some guys like the scimitars, other guys might grab a rusty or siman anderson set because the tail has some width and volume to it. I personally haven't ridden the controllers on at uadfish type of board but have to think they would feel pretty good in the SP.

As for size, start at the 5'4/5'6 for yourself and go up from there. remember its a REALLY flat board so you don't need a lot of length to get good paddle power. as for beating out the longboarders and SUPers, not sure i have the best answer. the bigger the better i guess, but i wouldn't say go too big because you'll lose out a bit on the maneuverability.

I am your size and would rock the 5'4 all day with my trusty k2.1 quad set.

hope this helps....

Daven....
I do not have shares in Future Fins
I use and love FCS fins
I believe that all men (and ladies) should be equal, just some more than others...
I believe Futures Controller Quads are the best fins on the planet
I have reluctantly become a Quad devotee
Baggwannevsan
Thank you for your time.
peace

Oh... Yes, I have tried the Controllers in the SP and they are meant for it by divine calling... ask Akira and Randy whilst recently in Japan who (ripped on it in 1 ft junk) and then STOLE my SP with Controllers...

Shame on you Randy/Akira!

You sure do love those Controllers Nev. Have you tried them in a Dom/Spitfire yet?

Yes I did.... One surf, and it did not feel good to me... too quirky/unpredictable... The El Fuegos secret is limited tail rocker at about 1 3/8'. It just seems to be the formula. Same deal with the Sweet Potato.
The Dom/Spit has that bit more curve/rocker and volume in the tail that, for me and others, required some stability and direction to compensate, so it works best as a thruster with Simons template.
The opposite applies for less tail rocker and thickness which is evident in the El Fuego and SP (albeit the SP has a MUCH wider tail!), hence the quad and preferably Controller quad setup.

nev does the el fuego ( or as I like to call it the firefly ltd edition ) have less tail rocker than the Dom/spit ?? the el fuego looked to me to have a bit more tail kick and flatter nose rocker?? still haven't ridden mine yet ... been flat for days