Nev's critique on the El Fuego, Dominator/Spitfire and the Futura

nev

I have been surfing my Dominator and El Fuego a lot recently in all sorts of waves. I have been unusually quiet and hesitant to give my opinion until now. There have been many posts requesting feedback and guidance and at last I feel I have a reasonably clear perspective on the pros and cons of these two models in relation to other boards in our range and in comparison to similar board by other manufacturers .

Firstly let me say that the Futura is not really in the same genre as the El Fuego, Dominator (or Pod etc). It is inherently more high performance in its rocker and volume. The El Fuego and Dominator/Spitfire, are more performance “fish” style boards.
Regarding the Futura, John Gannon who is Taj’s PT and coach surfs the FA602 exclusively. For him there is no need for two or more boards. I believe it is the most under appreciated board in our range.

The quest for ultra performance in a “fish/retro” board has thankfully led us to the Dominator/Spitfire/El Fuego range of boards that remove that compromised, out on the face, flatter style surfing of most wide tailed board, especially classic fishes. Clearly the Dominator has blown doors with regard to meeting the criteria of having the same paddle and glide as a fat thick short fish, pod biscuit, nitro etc, but also having remarkable square off the bottom, vertical in the pocket ability definitely lacking in these other designs. I have never surfed such a small board that had such solid directional control through turns. Amazing!
Anyway, enough about the Dominator/Spitfire.

Keep in mind that if you can only afford one board in this hybrid genre, ultimately either one will go unreal. You will develop that intimate connection that happens with much surfing and recognize the positive attributes of the design.
However when there is CHOICE, one has the privilege of being critical, putting various designs in particular boxes, which is what I am about to do.

I have 4 boards now in my truck. A 62 x 18 3/4 x 2 7/16”Flexfire, 5’11 El Fuego, 5’8 Spitfire and the 6’6 Addvance...(Soon there with the Sweet Potato designed by Dan Mann!!!! Mark Price says it will be my 1-2ft board...I am going crazy...How are you all holding up???)

Over the past couple of months I have had some magic sessions on my El Fuego, and I have determined that it surfs exactly as I expected, which IS clearly different to the Dominator / Spitfire.

Here are my experiences, keeping in mind I am average Joe in ability @ 51yrs, 70kg and 5’11” tall and I am referring to 1 to 5ft waves.

Yalingup, super fun 4 to 5ft lefts after the Taj Small Fries event. I needed to out paddle 6 to 10 competent longboarders and thankfully got a ridiculous amount of waves...I could not believe how fast and drivey it felt. As positive off the bottom as my 6’2 Flexfire. Big full loopy on rail cutbacks. The board had that rail to rail glide that a fish has, not so square off the bottom but sensational when you leaned into the turn. I felt that if I was on my 5’8 Dom, turns would have been a tad too quick and short..I think I could have gone a bit more vertical in certain sections, but most likely I would have nursed it through turns in that mid strength offshore wind. No worries though, with the El Fuego.

Snapper...Easter weekend before heading to Bells. 4ft and packed, but...O.M.G! I swear I have never gone that fast. I could pump it rail to rail and just keep winding up the dial...Then into speed shedding roundhouses or long floaters. I got one wave from this side of the “behind the rock” to the middle of Cooly.....Slaloming though the manic crowd.
I do not think that he Dominator would have gone that quick down the line. It would have surfed tighter to the pocket and I might have pulled some more vertical maneuvers, but not made as many waves. The El Fuego’s feeling of forward momentum/glide at warp speed, but with back foot control, is I believe unique to this board.

Rincon / Bells bowl 2 to 4ft 2 sessions. Morning was clean and fun... Rincon is one of those point waves that requires quick down the line speed from takeoff, BUT with a more vertical approach to that often crumbly foamy lip always coming at you. I felt I would have been much better on my Dominator but there was literally no-one out!! Everyone was heading to pre heat surf or get a spot to watch the event. There was no way I was going to run up to my car parked at Winki to swap as I was having too much fun. If this was my only “hybrid” I would have been satisfied that the board went so well... However I gotta admit that all I could think of was how well my Spitfire would be going! Ha!
Late arvo sesh and I grabbed the Spitfire and the thing went mental...Case closed.

Now I am really starting to understand these boards.
Fat open faces where you need rail in the water holding it’s line?...El Fuego
Racy walls where speed is king and you have the section ahead to shed all that speed via sweet roundhouse, extended re-entry floater or boost for a air?...El Fuego
Beachies where front foot drive/resistance is required to maintain speed to get to the next foam ball coming at you?... El Fuego
Reefs that are bumpy, strong offshore where you need glide with inherent speed to gracefully go from rail to rail, so as to figure what the heck the wave is gunna do?...El Fuego.
I foot peelers when all you want to do is do the “Reno Abellira”...Do a cheater five.... Forever? ( Surfabout circa 1977?) El Fuego

So where does the Dominator/Spitfire fit in now??? Everywhere else where you need to turn on a dime with speed.

Sucky racing walls that give you plenty of ops for a vertical snap here and there...Quick off the mark high line drives, drop into the bowl, square off the bottom and up into the lip....Up and down with rhythm and control ,and plenty of speed and forgiveness to boot. Dominator/Spitfire.
Punchy peaky beachies, where you take off late, square it off the bottom with speed into a snap. Surfing tight to the power in waves that require spontaneity and the need to keep moving rail to rail... Dominator/Spitfire
Reefs that beg you to go top to bottom, pull in and come out into a gouge...Immediate recovery underfoot, back on plane and into the next turn....Can you feel it? Dominator/Spitfire
One foot peelers when you wind up sooooo much speed, whilst still doing tight little hacks...no cheater fives, just full tilt windup Energizer rabbit amp-out.... Dominator/Spitfire

The verdict if you have to choose? (what a bummer!)

Generally, I’d go with the Dominator/Spitfire, if you have a normal board to back you up for those more open faced days when you need draw/length in your turns.
The El Fuego could almost be an all round board, one board option as it holds a longer line when needed but still rips when conditions are marginal. (but not quite as vertical/tight as the Dom/ spitfire)
It is a no brainer if you love that inherent “fish” feel, but still want to TURN!

The Dominator/Spitfire as a one board option would be leaving yourself short.
The El Fuego?..maybe not as much, but I reckon you’d still need your trusty normal board.
and the Futura?..Yes, you could definitely surf this as a one board option, albeit not as good in the particular areas of strength of the Dom/Spitfire/El Fuego.
The El Fuego will not make the Futura redundant...No way.
Clear as mud?

Nev

goanna

G'day Nev,
Love love your work in the post above.
The El fuego isn't in the buyers guide yet so I have a quick question.....I'm 41 years young, 5'8"1/2, 93kg or around 205lb and surf half way between Intermediate and advanced.

What size Fire Fly / El Fuego should I be looking at?

BTW I am currently loving my 6'2" Dominator but find it has a tiny little too much float, so I want the other board for a little more performance.

Thanks in advance!

nev

Hey Goanna...regretfully I think you are right about the 602 Dom...For your height and weight I'd have gone for the 6'0"
Considering this I rekon the 6'1 Elfuego would bee fine. It has 3 litres less volume and is narrower and thinner than the 602 Dom
(6'2" x 19 3/4" x 2 5/8" vs 6'1" x 19 1/2" x 2 1/2")

Ox

@goanna

I am 6 foot 1 and tons of fun (208 lbs) and I ride the 6'1 El Fuego with no complaints. Floats me great. Just thought you would like to hear a bigger guy's experience with the board. Good luck.

chris

yeah goanna,
Nev's description says it all. I really like the reduced width and volume of the tail of the El Fuego and find it great for high performance open face maneuvers. You should really like it.

goanna

Thanks guys...all replies helpful and confirmed my thoughts.
I am on a roll here boys, my lovely wife bought the Dom for me on Valetines day, I've sold the Dom straight away - 2 days on the market and got great money for it...still looks as new - and will be picking up my new Firefly 6'1" mid week.

It's just meant to be!!

chris

I hope your locals boys have one in stock!!!

goanna

they have 2 in stock and I have had my greasy paws all over the 6'1"....just need to pick it up!

nycnml

Hi Nev,

I've read a TON of these posts about size of board, and I've read a ton of posts about what board for what waves, etc. Yours is definitely the most thorough I've come across. Thanks for that!

I do have a question for you (of course), as I try to decide which FW board to go with. If you'll indulge me, here's a little background: I'm 5'11" 154 lbs, 50 years old, very fit, surfing 15+ yrs, solid inter-to-advanced. I surf Long Beach, NY as my regular break. I travel to Costa Rica once or twice a year. Mostly, I've been riding Chris Birch quads, a Campbell Bros 5-fin bonzer fish, and on firing days I get on my 80s shape tri-fin. Yesterday, I took out a friend's Dominator — here's the rub: it was a 6'6"(!) Needless to say, I thought I was on a longboard. It did catch everything, and turned ridiculously quickly considering the size. So much for background brevity!

I'm to the point now where I want need more speed and quickness in my boards for the maneuvers I'm wanting to make. This has lead me to think that the El Fuego or Spitfire would be the move (though I secretly have a thing for the Stealth). I'd probably go with a quad config, though I'd be happy to experiment with throwing on a three-fin set up for big days. Given that I surf year round, which includes 6mm suits and all the gear, I'd say that adds at least 15 lbs to my 155 baseline. Should that be factored in? By most accounts, it seems I'd be looking at a 511 El Fuego or a 510 in the Spitfire.

I guess the real question is, do you have any thoughts on which of the two (and feel free to opine re: the Stealth) would excel in our Long Island surf? We get a lot of sideshore / onshore texture, some punchy swell when we're not groveling, and of course there's hurricane season with solid offshores and some serious swell energy. Love to hear your thoughts!

Nick

chris

hey nycml,
i too surf in the northeast, grew up in maine so i need 6mm when I am home. I am 27, 5'11 by 175 and feel that I choose my boards with neoprene weight in mind. if i lived in trunks, yeah i could ride a little smaller, but I have never fellt i need a completely different board in the winter and summer. you really should just go about choosing one the same way you would if you were lookinf for a PU board: hold it, look it over, etc. there is no formula that works for everyone, just careful consideration of one board vs the other.

I ride a 5'8 Dom and 5'9 El Fuego. I do know the CB quads and Cambell Bonzers pretty well and can say the Firewire shapes and techs are going to offer the opportunity to maneuver much more aggresively. you will definitely feel the ablity to go into and complete maneuvers much more quickly. A good thing! I will leave it at that so Nev can give you his 2 cents on board shape, but will leave you with my belief that the Dom/Spitfire range will be better for the beachies you have in your area.

Cheers

nycnml

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the input — a lucky coincidence for me about the NE waves, CB quads and CB bonzers, etc. Customized feedback!

In your last paragraph, you mention Dom/Spitfire, rather than El Fuego. Am I reading that correctly? BTW, I'm definitely sweet on the Spitfire design, as well, so all good if that's the case. Again, thanks.

chris

yeah i meant that the two, which are very similar would work well (one or the other) in your Long Beach waves. no worries, happy to help. let me know which way you are leaning.

nycnml

Here's me being thick — apologies: Which two?

I must've been out in the sun too long today.

Ox

I think he meant the dominator or the spitfire.

chris

Yeah thanks ox, i didn't write my response that well. i did mean either the dom or the spitfire.

kramyx

Hi guys?
I'm kinda new to surfing. I am a singaporean who surf in bali 2 or 3 times a year. I've surf for about 2 years, and i would like to buy my first board. I always use a minimal with a 7'0 - 7'5 length in bali which i rent. I am really interested with both the dom and elfuego but i can only buy 1. After reading Nev's post, i think el fuego is a good board because i can use it anywhere in the world since it's an all rounder board(Correct me if i am wrong). Can you guys tell me which board i should buy, that will be easier for me to paddle and catch waves. And also tell me what size i should buy as i am new to shorter boards. I am 19, around 5'11'' and weigh 165lbs. Any help is appreciated. I really need your guys' help.

chris

hey kramyx,

its a little difficult to suggest which board is better without knowing a little bit about your preferences. i think the Dominator is an easier board to paddle, catch waves and surf in a wide range of conditions. It has a little more volume, a wider tail and holds its speed a bit better. The el fuego is a super solid board for those who are already pretty comfortable on a shortboard. it is still easy to use as well, but is just a little more refined. Its a little flatter and has the wide point pushed a little bit further forward so it suits a front footed style,

These boards are fairly similar and are meant to be ridden in similar sized surf, but I wanted to highlight the differences so you could distinguish between the two. You really can't go wrong with either, but give each of them a little thought.

Hope this helps a bit, hit me with more questions if you have them.

Cheers.

kramyx

Hmm, Thanks Chris. Which board do you think is better to surf in Bali.

chris

i think it depends on the size and wave type, but for down the line walled and potentially hollow surf, i would be grabbing the El Fuego myself. Smaller beach break I am all about the dominator. Hope this helps a little bit...

kramyx

Thanks Chris! I think i know which board i am looking for. Thank man!

kramyx

Hi Chris! 1 last question. Which el fuego size do you think will be best for me. I'm 5'11, 75kg and surf for about 2 years now. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon..

prjwebb

The 511 would be good for you, but if you're going to be using it in better waves and want to be more aggressive with it the 509 would work well for you too.

kramyx

isn't that to small for a begginer, since i have only surf for 2 years? any other reccomendation guys?

prjwebb

If you could go into more detail about you ability it would help a lot. Some people annoyingly rip after two years haha.
Where would you say you are at? If you're using the board in indo where the waves are more powerful and steeper and you're wearing boardies you can get away with less board.
I'd say the 511 would be good, but without knowing exactly how you're surfing it's hard to say.

I just read your first post. So you're just coming off a 7'0" mal. You could play it safe with the 601, but I reckon any bigger and you'll hinder your progress.

kramyx

alright man! thanks for the advice. i will heed your advice. thanks!

Andrei

Nev wrote: "The El Fuego could almost be an all round board, one board option as it
holds a longer line when needed but still rips when conditions are
marginal. (but not quite as vertical/tight as the Dom/ spitfire)"

What I understand is that the Dominator / Spitfire goes more vertical and turns tighter than an El Fuego. Is this correct? I heard this about the Spitfire and it kinda made sense; but this idea goes against what I've read about the Dominator and its large tail. I'm rather confused since I thought the narrow tail of an El Fuego should make this board more high performance than other models in its class.

Andrei

chris

hey andrei the differences are pretty subtle. remember though its never about just one thing. for example the El Fuego has a narrower tail, but the wider point of the board is more forward than the dom/spit and it has a flatter entry rocker. So with all those things combined, the el fuego is a great all around board, but the flatness makes it like being surfed laterally a bit more. the dominator has a little bit more of a progressive rocker to it and a narrower nose so it responds and performs a little bit more like a conventional shortboard. they go great in similar sized waves, but each has its own "attitude."

hope this helps a little bit...

Andrei

Yes Chris, thanks.

chris

good. let us know if you need anything else...

Justin

--

DanS

I'm taking it Nev was writing about the diamond tail El Fuego?

pontosurf

Hey Nev, Chris (or anyone)

Been reading about the EF, demo'd a 601, and a week later bought one......The demo worked so well here in San Diego I had to have one. I have to pull my fins off my 6'4" stealth FST to use until I find some more cash to by some additional fins for the EF. They are FCS-GMB-5 with trailers Q1000's, will these work and how well or not?, i'm 190LBS at 6'3" What is the suggested setup ?

Thank you, Ponto

chris

hey ponto,

i like the GMBs for you. I don't mean for this to be a cop out, but i think the best thing you can do is give them a session or two, try to surf the board hard and then see how it responds vs what you were expecting it to do. based on your reaction we can then go after a different set if needed. If i had to suggest a fin from i would probably be in the area of the FAM2 leading fins and the SF4 trailers. What do you want most out of your fins?

Cheers!!!

indiss

Hi Nev, im wondering which of the dominator, spitfire or el fuego i should buy. i'm after abit of an all round board to work in the small days but still upto the medium sized clean 5ft surf. Which of the three would you recommend and what would be the positives and negatives of each? Thanks alot, Indi

chris

hey indiss,

what kind of surfing to do and what types of waves do you want the board for?

Thanks!

Knox

Hey Chris/Nev/anyone who can give some advice! Im thinking about either buying the EF or the SF but not too sure what length to go for! I'm an intermediate surfer, 6'2 and 170lbs from Wales, UK so the surf can go from 1-3ft and messy (usually the case) to nice and clean 3ft or in the winter to +6ft and dumping so pretty varied! I've been riding a pretty flimsy 6' shortboard which feels like riding a toothpick and has snapped 3 times on small waves, so need something with a bit more volume on it. Saw the board size guides but wasn't sure how they perform with the duck dive which can make or break a welsh surf! which board do you think would be best?

Cheers

prjwebb

5'8" Spitfire or 5'9" El Fuego. I'm about your weight and surfing Cornish beach breaks and ride my 5'8" Spitfire in pretty much everything.

Gnubee

I have not ridden a Spitfire, but I can say that the EF will perform really well in any situation where the waves are varied. The lower entry rocker is great when things are less than stellar, since it allows you to get in so early. Watch for it on the steeps though. Not a problem once you figure out where to place your feet. Once you are up and going, the board is super responsive and turns really well. I find the EF really easy to duck dive and it paddles like it is a foot longer than it actually is. Pretty cool feeling. I can't see you going wrong with either board.

Not sure if this helps, but when I was making my decision between the two boards, I looked at it this way: the EF is the way to go when it is less than stellar conditions, the SF when it is punchier. Mind that the distinctions are pretty subtle. I figured that most of the time the waves I surf are not super steep, so the EF was a better fit. I think I made the right call.

nev Hyman

At LAX on the way home from some fun waves in MEX...Just thought I'd rub it in... Sorry. Knox mate...I'd actually go the 5'11 El Fuego as it will suit your weight, intermediate ability and conditions way better than the 5'9...Sorry PJ :) The 5'9 EF has less volume than the 5'8" SF, but at 170lbs the 5'11 will be perfect. I am 150 lbs and it does not feel like too much board.

prjwebb

Initially I was going to say 5'11".
Dave said you were heading to Mex. Jealous!

Cheers for the feedback on my CBD file by the way. I think I was too late to make any changes though.

Knox

Good info and recon i'll go for the EF 5'11, just need to warn the bank account first haha also need to try and decide between FST and Rapidfire but they both look sweet so not a biggie

Cheers guys :)

Jynxz

Hi Guys

I apologise in advance for asking the same type of question as everyone else, but I want to make sure I get the right board first time if possible.

Im 40 but fit as a fiddle 6'3" and 90kgs. Ive only been surfing 12 months but im probably out 2 times a week and picking it up pretty quick. I generally surf point breaks and am really concentrating at nailing my bottom turns and getting a few top turns in. I have been riding a 7 x 21.75 x 3 Hughes Funfish which I have loved as it caught so many waves easily and I quite often compete with longboarders and people on 7S Superfish XL's, but I am now looking to start stepping down considerably as my turning skills have improved.

I looked at the chart and class myself as somewhere between beginner to intermediate and was seriously considering a 6'5" EF, as I thought a 7" drop would be scarey enough, but now reading the forums and talking to a guy the other day who owned an EF and has seen me surf, it seems to suggest going even smaller to maybe even 6'3". This personally seems like too much of a scarey drop to me, but it seems that alot of people are hesitant first time and end up going too big.

So I guess what Im asking- EF sounds like the perfect board, (but I love the lines of the Spitfire!!! but scared its beyond my expertise), and what size would you recommend

Sorry for the life storey but I wanted to give you a clear a picture as possible and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Gnubee

I know it sounds like a big drop, but it really is OK. The board hides a lot of foam in it and the 6'3" is probably a really good choice. Great board, super fast. Catches waves very easily (I have actually made more than a few waves that I had given up on before finding myself zooming down the face - weird feeling. Get your footing right and it turns amazingly well. I suspect it would work well on point breaks since the takeoffs tend to be more predictable than open beach break. It will take a bit to get used to the board, but it will be well worth it. I strongly suspect that if you go 6'5" you will find yourself wishing for a shorter on in not much time at all.

This may sound odd, but if you go with a Spitfire, go with a 6'2" and absolutely no more than a 6'4".

buzzy

I don't think 6'5" is particularly big for a 6'3", 90kg middle age beginner. I'd personally put you on the 6'5" and trade it in for a 6'3" (or some other board that will suit your emerging style) in 6 or 12 months. I personally subsribe to the the view you should ride would suits you now, not down the track,.After all, surfing is about the here and now. You'll get a good trade in when you want to move down a length, and enjoy every session in the meantime.

Jynxz

Thanks for the advice,...... Do they still sell El Fuegos?? as Ive contacted the 2 main suppliers in NZ and they tell me they are older models now and are 'Upon Request' and would be February delivery at the very earliest.

Jynxz

Sorry for all the questions hehe, But I was convinced on a 6'5" EF or maybe even a 6'6" SF, but Ive just found out my current 7" Funfish has about 45.7 L volume. As Im looking to step down Volume wise too as Ive been told my current board has way too much float I feel like I need the 6'4" SF or 6'3" EF (If I can get my hands on one) as they are more towards the 41L Volume but Im still hesitant to a 7 - 8" drop in length. It also amazes me how a 6'6" x 21.25 x 2 7/8 SF can have equal volume to my current 7" x 21.75 x 2 7/8 Funfish? Where on earth do they hide it all?

Thanks again and any advice greatly appreciated

buzzy

I'm a little skeptical that your current board has the same volume as the 6'5" EF but if it does I think you can safely go to the 6'3" EF and it'd be a great pick.

Jynxz

Was going to take 2 months to get the EF delivered as no stocks in Aus and couldnt wait that long hehe... so went with a 6'6" Spitfire instead with a quad setup SF4's. Ill wait and see if it has too much float (after the xmas blowout could be just about right hehe) but Im picking with the 6" drop in board size its going to be enough of a challenge for a while.

Just wanted to say thanks everyone for taking the time to give us Noobs some advice, it really helps!

aurfalien

This is one of the best threads, wished Nev did more FYIs.

- aurf

chris

i hear you and I raise you a promise that more Nev is coming after our new forum goes up.

Thanks!

aurfalien

New forum aye?

Yea been there. It will be a while, this stuff can be hard to implement.

Hope you don't change too much as I really like the look and feel. It doesn't look like you are using Drupal and for Gods sake I hope you don't.

- aurf

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