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 was looking at the Dominator, anyone got or ridden one of these?

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".

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LUCKY MAC said...

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".

Ive just aquired a few kgs 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.

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doggie said...
Im not a fan of swallows or square tails.

+1

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swalkington said...

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.

And what waves you surf
Waves like Teaupoo, Puerto Escondido, Pipe would kill any board at size
Can't help thinking though that if your experience is the norm with Firewires then they would have gone broke a long time ago
Hopefully you got a full refund though
That must of sucked after spending that much coin

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.

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doggie said...

I was looking at the Dominator, anyone got or ridden one of these?

i have got 6'4 Dom (bamboo rapidfire). surfed it mostly in up to 4 ft beach breaks. liked it a lot. good "old man" board. i am 47 with farked both shoulders, 82 kg.
i use am2 futures fins thruster setup. tried quad options but didn't like it.

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dmitri said...

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 said...

I was looking at the Dominator, anyone got or ridden one of these?

i have got 6'4 Dom (bamboo rapidfire). surfed it mostly in up to 4 ft beach breaks. liked it a lot. good "old man" board. i am 47 with farked both shoulders, 82 kg.
i use am2 futures fins thruster setup. tried quad options but didn't like it.

That board you creased is the rapid fire tech
I'm not sure about them
I used to have one as well until I noticed deep hand prints from duck diving
The alarm bells started ringing and I swapped it for the FST construction
Almost bullet proof

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.

^^^^^
Have surfed with Vance a few times up north. He rips on em!

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.

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doggie said...

LUCKY MAC said...

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".

Ive just aquired a few kgs 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.

Doggie,

Look at the Spitfire instead of the Dominator. I got the Spit and think the tail is great (finer)

EB

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Ellobuddha said...

doggie said...

LUCKY MAC said...

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".

Ive just aquired a few kgs 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.

Doggie,

Look at the Spitfire instead of the Dominator. I got the Spit and think the tail is great (finer)

EB

I did look at them EB but they are a thruster only, but as you say they have a finer tail and I do like the look of them. Ended up with a local shape by Colin Earle.
6,2 1/2 x 19 1/4 x 2 5/16 round tail similar to a Spitfire but set up as a five fin quad. This will be my go to board for everyday conditions

Doggie,

That's strange!!!

Mine is a five fin option and I ride it as a quad.

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Ellobuddha said...
Doggie,

That's strange!!!

Mine is a five fin option and I ride it as a quad.

Maybe Im looking at the wrong board but Im sure its the right one. Anyway Im going to see how the new board goes this weekend. Saturday is looking good at the moment

What fins are you using? Im going to start with PC7s at the front with GX-Qs rear and one of those stub/snub things but I might take that out if it feels a bit stiff

^^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.

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fozzy said...
^^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 was looking at the wrong board

But the spitfire is a diamond tail and they arnt bad Ive had a couple but I really love round tails. I might still get a Dominator later on but I will see how the new board goes it looks great. Ive had a few boards of Colin over the years and they are generally very good. He has just started shapeand surf quads and is frothing on them

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?

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swalkington said...
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?

Yea that was the first batch, they seem fine to me.

Go to Dave at Katana, similar tech maybe better $2-300 cheaper and local

And IF you do snap one....IF......I reckon he will look rifts ya better than FireWire will

That should read.....after you better than FireWire , dam apple predict text

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swalkington said...
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?

Well I creased mine in tiny slop at brighton a few months back. But hey, any board can break when it hits the perfectly wrong spot. It has since been repaired and is going great! (was only a minor crease/rocker was not affected)

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mocha1 said...
Go to Dave at Katana, similar tech maybe better $2-300 cheaper and local

Hey mocha, mind if I ask the dimensions of your round tail katana quad / thruster board. I reckon that's a sweet looking shooter. Is it a 6'4"? What's the width and thickness?

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.