Hi all,
I'm 39 y, 78 kg, 1.70m tall and medium to beginner level surfing. I like to surf short boards but I struggle to catch waves and generate speed on my surfing, my paddling is not the best. Currently I ride a 6'3" PU shortboard, and decided I was going to buy a bigger, maybe a Fish board for more user friendly one. However I saw this Firewire Tomo EVO, 6'0" (44L !!) in Helium, and really felt in love with it, despite the high price. I haven't tired it, but am really keen to buy. My friend suggested a Lost Puddle Jumper (says it is easier for me), but I can't take my mind out of the EVO. Does anyone believe this board will give me what I'm seeking, or is it a more high level board? I'll mostly be surfing in small condition 1 to 3ft waves.
THanks for any comment
Cheers

If you're struggling with paddling and generating speed you are probably still at a stage where you will ding boards a fair bit. FW helium boards are expensive and need to be fixed as soon as they ding (the foam 'sucks' in water when it's dinged). Not a good combo. You'd be better getting something with similar volume but maybe pulled out in length a bit (volume isn't the only factor in how well a board paddles, surface area is arguably more important - bigger board, more surface area). and stick with with regular PU/PE construction to make ding repairs a bit more forgiving. Where are you located?

Puddle Jumper is one of the most god awful boards I ever owned. Five surfs. Two weeks. Goodbye. It had no speed down the line, was stupidly loose, but not drivey, and slid out in anything resembling a real wave.

Agree you should look at PU construction first.

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thedrip said..
Puddle Jumper is one of the most god awful boards I ever owned. Five surfs. Two weeks. Goodbye. It had no speed down the line, was stupidly loose, but not drivey, and slid out in anything resembling a real wave.

Agree you should look at PU construction first.

But did it at least jump puddles?

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Coohan said..
If you're struggling with paddling and generating speed you are probably still at a stage where you will ding boards a fair bit. FW helium boards are expensive and need to be fixed as soon as they ding (the foam 'sucks' in water when it's dinged). Not a good combo. You'd be better getting something with similar volume but maybe pulled out in length a bit (volume isn't the only factor in how well a board paddles, surface area is arguably more important - bigger board, more surface area). and stick with with regular PU/PE construction to make ding repairs a bit more forgiving. Where are you located?

Thanks for the tips. I'm in Perth.

Puddle jumper original was an ok board good fun in waist to chest height ,,,,, but that's it just ok.... puddle jumper 2 is an absolute pile of crap.......
The evo is a sick board at your weight and this board size it's a little too big but not really, the evo is a sick board and will improve your surfing, ride it as a quad, some may disagree as it goes well as a thruster as well. Pretty universal board and good fun to ride.
they do snap not all the time and not regularly but if your putting it into 6 foot barrels regularly it may not last as long as desired, 3-4 foot waves it should last you a long time

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Lucas0581 said..
Hi all,
I'm 39 y, 78 kg, 1.70m tall and medium to beginner level surfing. I like to surf short boards but I struggle to catch waves and generate speed on my surfing, my paddling is not the best. Currently I ride a 6'3" PU shortboard, and decided I was going to buy a bigger, maybe a Fish board for more user friendly one. However I saw this Firewire Tomo EVO, 6'0" (44L !!) in Helium, and really felt in love with it, despite the high price. I haven't tired it, but am really keen to buy. My friend suggested a Lost Puddle Jumper (says it is easier for me), but I can't take my mind out of the EVO. Does anyone believe this board will give me what I'm seeking, or is it a more high level board? I'll mostly be surfing in small condition 1 to 3ft waves.
THanks for any comment
Cheers

Good board choice, mate loved his but had problems after taking it on a plane trip to Bali. Bert Berger explained in an earlier thread the problem the firewires have due to not having a valve to allow for changes in air pressure. Although it does not look like anyones getting on a flight anywhere for a while, just keep that in mind & maybe take something else if you jump on a plane.

Epoxy boards are a lot floatier than PU. Similar volumes in PU & Epoxy will not float in a similar way. There's more to consider than volume when it comes to paddling a board. How much volume is under the chest, the rocker & when your up & planing on a board, how much surface area the bottom of the board has.

The Evo has little rocker, plenty of volume up front & plenty of surface area. I'd consider the 5'8, 6'9 or 5'10 depending on what kind of waves your surfing. Say if your surfing Perth waves & surf the fatter waves of Mettams more I'd go for more volume. But if your surfing Triggs/Scabs go for less volume coz you don't need it & will appreciate not having it when your duckdiving your way back out through a set. I would of recommended 5'5 to 5'8 but you said your begginner/intermediate. For your height/weight, 6'0 is way too much.

Hi Lucas
What sort of board is your current one?
There is a lot more info needed than 6'3" PU short board
Who is the brand, shaper, width, thickness, rocker etc.
I haven't ridden a EVO but I have owned a FW Cymatic. They are good boards.
I agree with the post above, I think it is too much board for your weight.
The beauty of the Tomo boards are, he packs a lot of volume into board for the length due to the shape which allows you to go for a shorter board which generally keeps you closer to the pocket and gives tighter turns.
You will definitely have heaps of paddle power but I reckon at that volume it will be too skatey once up and riding as it will be hard to bury a rail to get it to engage unless you move your back foot around a bit. It will also be hard to duck dive with the added volume and nose area which hurts your shoulders.
Some boards are dogs to paddle, easy to duck dive, drop in okay and are awesome when up and riding due to the rocker, rails, tail shape and foam distribution, it's a matter of finding the right combination.
There are lots of options out there with lots of variables but usually ability is our biggest hurdle

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Flying High said..
Hi Lucas
What sort of board is your current one?
There is a lot more info needed than 6'3" PU short board
Who is the brand, shaper, width, thickness, rocker etc.
I haven't ridden a EVO but I have owned a FW Cymatic. They are good boards.
I agree with the post above, I think it is too much board for your weight.
The beauty of the Tomo boards are, he packs a lot of volume into board for the length due to the shape which allows you to go for a shorter board which generally keeps you closer to the pocket and gives tighter turns.
You will definitely have heaps of paddle power but I reckon at that volume it will be too skatey once up and riding as it will be hard to bury a rail to get it to engage unless you move your back foot around a bit. It will also be hard to duck dive with the added volume and nose area which hurts your shoulders.
Some boards are dogs to paddle, easy to duck dive, drop in okay and are awesome when up and riding due to the rocker, rails, tail shape and foam distribution, it's a matter of finding the right combination.
There are lots of options out there with lots of variables but usually ability is our biggest hurdle

Hi. My board is a Chapstar, from a shaper here from West Oz. I'm not sure the volume, width it is 19". I bought it as a second hand. Good board, but the two problems I find from it, one is when conditions are small (which is regular in Perth) it is not easy to catch waves, paddling speed is not great, and then I have difficulty to generate speed once I catch the wave (which I know can be more related to my lack of surfing skills). Also some times I also have problems keeping my balance right after a pop up, specialty when conditions are bumpy or in faster waves (like Scar).
Thanks for the comments. Very helpful
Cheers

Its a shame boards are so expensive. Im supa keen to grab an EVO but the price is a killer. They dont pop up on the second hand rack very often

Seems like the EVO is for more hollow high performance riding from what ive read.

Everyone should own/surf an Evo at least once in their lives....it really is that 'if you could only have one board'.... board....

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Lucas0581 said..

Flying High said..
Hi Lucas
What sort of board is your current one?
There is a lot more info needed than 6'3" PU short board
Who is the brand, shaper, width, thickness, rocker etc.
I haven't ridden a EVO but I have owned a FW Cymatic. They are good boards.
I agree with the post above, I think it is too much board for your weight.
The beauty of the Tomo boards are, he packs a lot of volume into board for the length due to the shape which allows you to go for a shorter board which generally keeps you closer to the pocket and gives tighter turns.
You will definitely have heaps of paddle power but I reckon at that volume it will be too skatey once up and riding as it will be hard to bury a rail to get it to engage unless you move your back foot around a bit. It will also be hard to duck dive with the added volume and nose area which hurts your shoulders.
Some boards are dogs to paddle, easy to duck dive, drop in okay and are awesome when up and riding due to the rocker, rails, tail shape and foam distribution, it's a matter of finding the right combination.
There are lots of options out there with lots of variables but usually ability is our biggest hurdle

Hi. My board is a Chapstar, from a shaper here from West Oz. I'm not sure the volume, width it is 19". I bought it as a second hand. Good board, but the two problems I find from it, one is when conditions are small (which is regular in Perth) it is not easy to catch waves, paddling speed is not great, and then I have difficulty to generate speed once I catch the wave (which I know can be more related to my lack of surfing skills). Also some times I also have problems keeping my balance right after a pop up, specialty when conditions are bumpy or in faster waves (like Scar).
Thanks for the comments. Very helpful
Cheers

Hi Lucas

What do your surfing mates think?
The 6'0' EVO is definitely too much board for you but if you want more waves that will help and the more waves, the more your surfing improves.
You could always give it a go and on sell it. Surfing is sometimes about the journey, I have bought and sold a lot of boards looking for the one and what suits you today won't suit you in a few years
You could also take your board down to the local surf shop, have a chat to the them. Be honest about your ability and tell them what your problems are with the current board, they should point you in the right direction. (Just be wary being talked into a board that is above your ability.)

I'd go to a shaper rather than a surf shop, a lot of surf shops will try to sell that board that they can't move or will try to sell you a board based on your age not your ability. A mate of mine who is 60 and surfs really well went to a surf shop in his new locale and the young fella was trying to flog him a mini mal, he had a laugh and went to a local shaper.

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JESUSGUS said..
Seems like the EVO is for more hollow high performance riding from what ive read.

What Razz said above they are a great board. They look funky but honestly a very forgiving and easy board to ride. As a quad they do go fast, i find i can slide it and do things i cant on other boards. As a thruster in bigger waves i liked more as the speed of the quad for me was too much to handle.

But i would say an all round fantastic board.

The only negative for me was paddling when its choppy i find water flicks up in my eyes more often and wearing contact lens that's not fun

My son recently took mine out and also loves it..