broke mine too same thing -- the board snapped after less than one year. big wave did it (2x overhead) but i still felt a regular board would not have broken. i would avoid them.
i've had one as well. not a bad board. didnt really like the shape for our waves. honestly there are better boards out there shaped domestically. ie COIL surfboards. not to mentions lots of shapers are shaping epoxy if you wanted the strength.
they have these new rapid fire models where the deck is made out of bamboo .. they say it is only a little stronger then a regular PU board but it is there newest and cheapest board out. did any one hear anything about it?
depends on model. Flexfire, the most popular model is super high performance, but the waves only get good enough around here a few times a year for the board to excel. Friend has a taj model, don't know why he got it, and he always struggles on it due to the fact that it wasn't made for our waves. the dominator looks sweet.
My friend has a Firewire long board (I think 9'2"). I rode it and after getting used to it - it was super responsive and fast - turned like a short board. I usually ride a log so take that into consideration. The cons are it is super susceptible to damage. Its always getting repaired. Sometimes after a session theres a crack or ding that can't be explained (maybe from a elbow ?). It just seems real fragile but a blast to ride. Also - It needs stomach high or better conditions to shine.
A friend has a Dominator and it rides good. I have tried it and liked it, but the rails seem full to me by the feel of them to the hand, not so much by how it felt while riding. Also the tail seems really thick, but again when I was riding, it felt fine. I was considering getting one after my session on it but the $$ and the overal chunkiness of it changed my mind. The buddy who owns it does great on it and it catches every wave with ease.
Snapped my flexfire in half in hurricane bill this year up in AC. Had it for about two years. Really liked it up to that point. Although when i first got it, it took a while to get used to riding after riding PU boards for years.
When my snapped I was surprised to find that the core is made of the same stuff as styrofoam cooler foam. Tiny beads of foam smashed (glued?) together...
I had my longboard (9'0) for 2 months before I snapped it on a wave during the aftermath of Danny. While I had it, it was a fun longboard to ride. It was responsive like a shortboard for a big guy Since snapping it, I have ridden an 8'6 with a thruster fin setup and loved it. But for the price, I don't think its worth it.
i have a 6'0 alternator first generation, bought it when they first came out, researched the hell outta it.... i absolutely love them, they are perfect for travelin since u are less likely to arrive w 2 3ft boards when u packed 1 6ft board. however they are not indestructable, i gaulged out the bottom of mine on a reef in puerto, but it was fixed and looks/feels brand new. also on a big swell on a drop in i somehow put my back big toe thru the deck, go figure... the important thing is they are more expensive and harder to fix so i get them done at my shop (heritage is great w these repairs)... also when the wind is howlin offshore, these boards are too light, u will have a tough time droppin in... the best feature is the flexibility, if u make a big turn and lose ur speed at the top, the board can kinda snap back at u, pushin u back into the line kinda like a snowboard... it may b weird to get used to at first, but they can b great additions to any quiver, if u got the cheddar...
The mastermind of Firewire, Bert Burger, left the company a couple years ago, and went out on his own to start Sunova. IMHO, the Sunovas are worlds better than Firewire, and include better "springer" technology, wood veneers for strength and flex, continuous grain balsa rails, and proven planshapes and rockers. I have the 6'6 Nitro, and it's amazing in fast, barreling surf in the head high range. Works best in lined up point break type surf. The feel is like nothing else you've ever ridden - the speed you get out of pumping it is crazy. If anyone in the area wants to try it, PM me. I can also hook you up with a distributor, since they're kind of hard to find. I have it with me today and will likely be going to LBI this afternoon.
FireWire Dominator I have a 6'10" Dominator and I absolutely love it for punchy waves over waist high. For mushy thigh to waist I am looking at their new AAdvance model. I ahve also had a 7'0" Rich Pavel SpeedDialer which I bought to be my groveler in small mushy waves - no success - my 6'10" Dominator paddles way better - I like boards with alot of volume and paddle power for VB - I just got an 8' Infinity Secret Weapon which I think will fit the bill - it has a pulled in nose with tons of volume - should be great mushburger board. My 2 cents
