'aint that the truth MP...
Ironically is something that I often leave out when talking about shape and how it relates to performance.
Our tech clearly takes that performance to another level...That magic feel through a turn.
A good shape/design, AND an optimum marrying of that shape to the surfers size and ability is what everyone else who makes boards can do. Our tech takes it to another level.

Hey Guys,
I ride a 6-o dominator, good stick. My next board i'm thinking about getting a quadfish for summer surf. Will a 5-8 give me enough volume to catch weaker waves than my dominator or should i go to the 5-10?
thanx Paul G, WB NC

Parojjjj

The Quadfish 508 has significantly less volume than your DM600 - I'd be careful going that short. Check out the link below for volume comparisons. The DM floats like a beast so you can probably afford to go with less volume on the QQ and still be okay, but if you're enjoying the DM600, I'd suggest the QQ510 over the QQ508.


http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/quiver_volumes.php?boardid=volumes

My two cents are that the 5'8 does come in a nice 2 3/4" thick version, which has more volume than the Dominator 6'0.
If you want a board for REALLY gutless waves, this thicker 5/8 could be the one.

Good call RT! I was thinking about the thin QQ508

Yeah, I was talking about the retro quad. So you think the 5-8 would give enough float to catch weaker summer waves than my 6-0 dominator? btw the dominator has definitely been "the board" this past summer here at WB NC , i get a lot of guys asking about it. I guess the best way to answer it is to say my next board is gonna be a FW.

Hi Parojjjjjjjjj - That's a lot of j's! Anyway, I've found that I can catch the weakest waves that I ever though possible on my Dom 5'10". I'm curious to try a fat (retro) quadfish 5'6" or 5'8", but apart from the benefit of a little extra nose, I think the wave-catching ability will be somewhat similar. The ride however, will be different.

Very different indeed!!!the fish won't be as agile as the dominator. More fish on the speed though. The Dominator is a board to have fun on small waves. The fish is a board to cruise around and enjoy the glide,less snappier than the dominator for sure. Had the chance to trythe dominator today on chest high waves and the board felt pretty nice under my feet!!!!very fun board to ride, quik on turns,solid under my feet,easy to duckdive with (5'10" board/80kgs fatso jejeje).Overall a board worth taking with you when conditions are not certain!!!!

Thanks for the feedback , but I'm still not any more certain about which board, 5-8 or 5-10 retro quadfish. The j's are the abbrev for my kids, we stuck with the j theme(only 4)

What's your weight/height??? The difference in volume between the 5'8" and the 5'10" is not much!!!!.

5'8" 150 but to me their is quite a difference between the the 5-8(37.6) and 5=10(42.1) my dom6-0 has a vol of 34.9 both quads are in stock at the shop here the size dif to me is significant i've never had a fish, always your reg shortboard thruster(till i got the dom this past spring), so I appreciate the help

Parojjjj

I'd go with the 508, both in terms of length and flotation.

thanks, that is my 1st choice

I agree. The thick 5'10' would feel like a boat.

Okay, after reading enough glowing reviews of the dominator I just ordered a 5'8" through my local shop. I also ordered a 6'0" Alternator. I usually ride the 6'2"x18 5/8"x 2 1/4" Flexfire. So I thought these two would be good complements to my standard shortboard.

Old mate and ex team rider of early 90's Guy Walker (soul surfer now Patagonia guy) came by Firewire and grabbed my 5'8" Dominator for a late arvo sesh...

Nev do you see that smile????good luck if you get it back jejeje!!!!!!

Quick one.
I weigh about 74Kgs, 5'8" tall. Surf 6'2" - 18 1/2 - 2 3/8 short boards. Also have an MR Supertwin at 6'1" - 19 1/4 - 2 1/2 (which I find a little too big and heavy). I used to surf a 5'10" retro fish that I loved but always felt I could go a little smaller.
I'm going to buy a Dom. Should I go 508 or 510? (ie does the FW tech make a slightly bigger board perform as a lighter version?)

You're slightly lighter and 4" shorter than me, I usually ride a 602 shortboard and I'd get the 508 Dom. I'd say that would be plenty of board for you. I'd have thought you could go even smaller if you really wanted to.

Ive been riding a 6'0 Dominator for about a year now. I can honestly say my surfing has improved beyond my belief.  The main thing for me is getting into waves early enough and this board does it.  Is there another firewire that performs even more like a shortboard, (faster more nimble), but still paddles and allows you to get into waves as early as the Dominator? Im 5'8 175 pounds.  Was thinking about the Alternator?  Thanks

dj, sounds like you need to get on a 5'8" dom... maybe even a 5'6". The performance benefit will be huge and you'll be shredding guaranteed. you'll get the quickness and speed you want

Yeah Dj,

ARBOR KOA DOMINATOR

Sick.

Surfing 25 years and landed my first proper aerial on that session

ohh man that wave looks rippable!!!

Im pretty stoked with my 6'2 dominator - was thinking downsizing again - maybe a 6'0 spitfire not sure a 5'10 would carry my massiveness? 

Great looking wave Ireland!  I think the downsizing is infectious once you get on a Firewire and all the performance barriers are knocked out...  I think Kelly Slater has a good rule of thumb now where he says he tries and surfs boards that are his height.  I know I had never had a board under 6'2/6'3 before I got my Dom in 6'0 last summer and now I realize that I could have gone even shorter (should have listened to the salesman...haha)....  Now I've got another round nose fish I traded a buddy of mine that is 5'9 that I'm more than comfortable on.

The 5'10 might not be out of the question (although it might make your 6'2 Dom feel obsolete after you get it)...all that rubber you guys wear has got to give you a little extra bouyancy too, right? 

the 6'0 spit might feel really good.  what do you think? shaving 4 inches off what you have now is a big step down....

Hey guys. I currently ride a 6'4" shortboard which i've had for about 5 years! I'm a beginner/intermediate surfer and I'm looking to improve my surfing this year now that i've moved from Tasmania up to Western Australia (threw the wetsuit in the garbage). I've been thinking of heading down the fish line and I spoke with a bloke today who suggested a 5'10" Lost Blunt or a 6'0" Firewire Dominator. I realise this is FW site but I'd love some honesty on what you think between the two, or even a different board all together.

also, im 6'0" and weigh 75kg (160lb)

How far along are you? Are you doing turns, just trimming along, or riding whitewater still? If intermediate doing turns I'd look at a 510 dom, possibly even a 508 depending on how comfortable. If you are a beginner then I feel the 600 would be ok for a while till you get better.

If you're used to a 6'4 shortboard then a 6'0 or 5'10 Dominator would be good.  6'0 Dominator would be 4 inches shorter than your normal stick and much wider through the tail plus it's your same height.  With your weight you'd probably even be good to go on the 5'10.  I'm 6'0 x 175 or so pounds &  I've got a 6'0 Dominator and it feels like a boat, it's a great board for open face/point break type waves and barrels from my experience.

The Dominator is going to float/paddle you much better than the Blunt due to the technology of materials, I've looked at both boards and there isn't much difference in shape.  I'd say 5'10 Dominator before a 5'10 Blunt.

yeah tommy I agree with chaos.   he made some really solid points.   i would go after the 5'10, especially because it sounds like you live in a place where your water time is going to be on the increase.  as a result your ability will skyrocket and you will certainly be appreciative of having a little less volume.  

Awesome. Ill hunt down a 5'10 dom. Im at a point where im starting to throw some bigger turns now and ive heard big things about these boards, esp in ~head-high surf. Cheers boys.

let us know how it goes tommy...

Hey guys I'm hearing that the dominator is the go for me just not sure what size/ type??? I'm 6'3" and 92kg been surfing a year quickish learner. around northern nsw and cooly, average paddler starting to do some turns etc..
Currently ride a dhd Margo 6'10" x 20"x 2&3/4" which is great but wanna get something short and snappy for small waves??

Cheers for the help!

Radozzy, check a 602 or a 600 out. Sounds like you want to progress quickly.

Radozzy,

Thanks guys I'll go check out a 6'2" :)

I dont think I will ever ride another board besides Firewire.  Just got a chance to ride my 5'10 Dominator and I love it.  Been very disappointed with the other non Firewire boards in my quiver that Ive been trying lately.  The Dominator is by far the best board Ive ever ridden.  Im just amazed at the wave catching ability of these boards.  What is it that makes wave catching so easy?  Is it the volume in the tail?  I can catch more waves on my 5'2" Sweet Potato than I can on what was supposed to be a similar type board to my Dominator, my 5'10 Coil. 

I've been considering the dominator but have never ridden a FW or any board of similar materials w/the extra float, etc that is associated w/it. I'm 5'9" 170-185 (depending on time of year), winter being heaviest w/6 mil of wetsuit but also bigger surf. I'd say my ability has gotten to intermediate so my questions are:

I'm looking for a board that will be good on 6-8 ft (not hawaiian scale) point break surf but also the avg chest-head high days which are most common around here. Would the Dom be a good board for this and if so, what size? I want something that will get into waves early but also be a little snappier and more suited to slightly bigger waves than the 5'10" traditional quad fish I'm currently riding in almost all conditions. Any input would be most helpful, thanks!!

Sounds like you might be better off waiting for the Hellfire!

509 el fuego.

So from website descripitions it seems like el fuego is better for smaller surf and the hellfire would be better for head + waves? Also, why would there be a wait for hellfire? Thanks again for any and all feedback, I'm def a novice when it comes to dialing in the shape for board best suited to my ability in solid pt break waves. Slowly getting more comfortable in larger stuff but I sitll want every advantage possible to get into waves early on. Not quite ready for hella critical drop on 6-8 ft + wave....yet :)

The Hellfire is a new release that'll be hitting the market in the next couple of months. Both boards would work in the conditions you are describing but I reckon the Hellfire will be more snappy than the El Fuego.

Hey Spidah, you definitely have a couple of options when it comes to the wave range you are talking about.   I personally would be looking at the Alternator, Futura, Hellfire range.   reason being is all of those will peform a bit better in those 6-8ft days.   If, however, you surf primarily in smaller chest+ surf and rarely on those good days, then the dom/spitfire/el fuego options are great.   Its all a matter of preference and what conditions you want to address the most.  

Thanks Chris, this is good info. Thnk I'll demo what you're describing and see which works best, Maybe 6'0" or 6'2" Hellfire at this point for those days when 5 10 fun fish not cutting it? Let you know, thanks again.

Cheers spidah.  let us know how it goes.

I bought the dom 602 :) :) :) man so good and wicked fast I find myself skimming across flats and it allows you to have so much more power!
The way it floats is outer this world it's going to be hard to go back to regular style construction boards.
Thanks for the input!