I think its a reflection of who makes the board.
its pretty darn hard to snap a delta designs which are most of my shooters. Heavy stringers and glass jobs.
I've got a 5'10 DOM.It's a real fun board up to about 5 foot then she gets a bit skatey even if you use bigger fins.Suits my weight (75KGS) and paddles like a beauty.I'm a bit of a Firewire fan-Acivator 6'1",Hellfire6'2",Quadraflex6'6".
up to 85 now, they look the goods for general surfing and they have that really rounded tail that I like, Im not a fan of swallows or square tails.
just saw this on the FireWire website!
Firewire is proud to announce a design partnership with Australian board designer Luke Short, the founder of Luke Short Designs (LSD).
With a design pedigree that includes shaping for Simon Anderson and Channel Islands before setting off on his own under the LSD label, Luke was a natural fit for Firewire. Under his own brand, Luke went on to work with many top pros, including Julian Wilson, and now brings a highly refined level of experience to the Firewire family.
Additionally, being an accomplished surfer in his own right, Luke enjoys the benefit of personally test riding his designs at a high performance level in addition to rider feedback.
“It feels great to be working with Firewire,” Luke said, “and I'm excited to work with new materials and construction methods to help create the best performing surfboards possible”.
Firewire CEO Mark Price added, “Luke and I began talking almost 3 years ago and we're stoked that we're now working together. Our goal has always been to build Firewire into the best surfboard brand that we possibly can, and to that end, working with a very select group of designers like Luke will enable us to offer premium designs to a broad cross section of surfers”.
The first Firewire/LSD model will hit retail towards the end of 2012 and will be Firewire and LSD branded, highlighting the relationship between the two board builders. Distribution will remain confined to Firewire's existing, premium account base.
i bought a 6'4 fw alternator (white rapidfire tech) for my last bali trip. it went very well surfing kuta outer reefs. it was so good. i liked it very much. but after only few sessions i noticed small crease on the bottom . and week later i snapped it duckdiving under solid 6 ft. it wasn't a clean snap though. just a big crack from rail to rail on the bottom next to the first crease. deck was ok. payed only $70 to fix it. they did a good job over there. in oz it would cost me probably a couple 100s. but riding it now is not the same. she's heavier (took too much water) and i am not sure about that carbon rod. its probably got broken when i snapped her.
Doggie, try Vidlers Surf in Cottesloe (Station Street). They have a huge range of FW boards; and you can take a Dominator out for a Demo prior to buying.
I liked the DOM when I took it for a demo, however I found that it reached its limit in 5 foot surf. In my opinion this is due to the rounded tail not providing enough bite (it is really wide in the rear). It would make a good everyday Perth board, but might let you down a bit if you were to take it down south. As others have said it becomes really skatey in the tail in faster/bigger surf. You kind of find yourself nursing it through turns.
I ended up buying a Spitfire, which has a more refined tail. I have not had it in bigger surf yet, but it handles every bit as well as the dominator in the smaller stuff.
Any of you heavier n older lads got an Addvance?. Do they ride like a shorter board or more like a long board ie slower to turn etc.
^^^
I've got an ADDvance. A 6'10 and I'm 95 kgs. I like it as I'm too fat and slow to ride a proper short board but it performs a heck of a lot better than a longboard. It is still not as good as a lower volume shortie but it is a wave catching machine up to just over head high. After that you will notice the volume and I have a 7'10 PU board with a more refined tail for these conditions. Handles punchy beachies well.
Hope that helps.
Heres some photos of Vance on a 6'10. I think he is 85kgs. Edit - it could even be a 6'6?
Hmmm, Thanks for the feedback n pics guys.I'll see if I can get me old hands on one as a tester & see how it goes. Nothing like trying something new as you turn 60 & been surfing 50yrs. "Keep ya ears wet & sand up ya arse" yahoo.
up to 85 now, they look the goods for general surfing and they have that really rounded tail that I like, Im not a fan of swallows or square tails.
up to 85 now, they look the goods for general surfing and they have that really rounded tail that I like, Im not a fan of swallows or square tails.
^^Spitfire's are definitely 5 fin option Doggie. Sounds like you got yourself sorted with something now anyway. I got myself a 6'0" Dominator a couple of months ago now and rate it. I only ride it in that 2-4 ft range but love it. Get an extra turn or 2 on a wave and given I'm 6'1" and 90 kgs (nude and dehydrated) this thing is like a skateboard.
On fins, I ride the Dom strictly as a quad and have a set of Stretch fins in it.
I am interested to know how people rate the durability of firewires these days. They gained a bad rep in the early days due to unexplained snappages and poor quality. My board was one of these and therefore have sworn off em since. Should I reconsider?
And IF you do snap one....IF......I reckon he will look rifts ya better than FireWire will
6'2 x 20 1/4 x 2 1/2
Wider in nose pretty flat rocker thickness under chest (rails thinner and tail thinner )than my last board of same length n width
Goes like the clappers
I'm 6'3 ish and 85-90 kgs depending on beers n pizza n kebabs night b4
Cheers mate. I am 6'2" and 95kg so thinking maybe same board but 6'4" long. Prefer a bit of length in my boards.
