Firewire Dominator 2 by Mannkine Review

[@jjohn56]

I’ve been riding a OG dominator for about 10 years. I need a new one soon. This video is a big help. Thank you

[@brandontaylor2790]

I think I'm going to stick with my Seaside and Sweet Potato 2 for most days, but might look at a Dominator for bigger days. Thanks!

[@NCsurfer607]

Hands down best fin setup I’ve tried with the D 2.0 are the Noel Salas quad set got that loose feel like an thruster and turns on an dime had no problem riding in 6 to 7 ft punchy beach break

[@ThomyeSurfs]

thanks for the info. I'm tempted to get another D2 but a tad taller. I felt the one I had was just a bit short.

[@nottherealmccoy4955]

Great review Thomye, and a 360 to boot!! You looked way better on Seaside I thought, just so much more speed and flow! Great surfing, killing it!! :)

[@caseymccormack2000]

Hey Real McCoy... Love your videos.. do you ever wish you would have gone with the 6'1" seaside? I thought you might have gone with the 6'10" seaside and beyond since the volume would be closer to the seaside. Keep it up young man.

[@shanebaird543]

The dominators should be ridden as quads or twins with a smaller trailer. Especially in mushy surf.

[@tym9889]

This is good because it explains the difference of the dominator relative to seaside with video to illustrate. Provides a baseline reference.

[@alexandreprestes2987]

My 2 surfboard quiver have a seadside 5.6 to smal waves and a 5.10 monsta box to daily surf, i was trying to imagine where the dominator could have some space, but waching your video i just realize my quiver to 1 to 7 foot is just perfect, tks for understand what us normal surfers want to see

[@maxisworld]

Thanks for the great review Thome!! 🤙🤙

[@russellfaulkner5478]

Just picked up a mint condition used dominator two in a 5’9. Can’t wait to test it out tomorrow!!!

[@henrylee2310]

Thanks for the review. I was going to sell my original dominator and get the dominator 2. After watching your video I'll keep the old one until I need to replace it.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

highly recommend the mashup. it would be a better upgrade to the old dominator 1.

[@thebensman9786]

Nice frontside 360 man! Shredding and having fun with the 2 + 1

[@KyleSurfHawaii]

Right on thank you so much for your video. I highly appreciate it. I do Surf on the seaside right now on a 55 I ripped that thing and I love it, but I also taught the dominator would’ve been a better growler from some other reviews I watched, but I highly appreciate your feedback, apparently you’re not some sales rep trying to make money you’re just a beach break Ripper that wants to share the Stoke with everyone and to help out the community dominator will be out of my curiosity after this I’ll be leaning more towards the sweet potato being that it is summertimeand the waves is only way to kneehigh at my local break

[@dkilla01]

Great to watch right before you go to sleep

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Lol

[@ronbelanger8936]

I have owned a Dominator 6’4” sold it 😳. I weigh 186. Bought a 6’4” Dom 2. Surf them both as thrusters in very cold water 36 degrees. It was way better, more maneuverable. I felt the difference. Also I own and surf the Seasides 5’10 6’ and 6’ 1” . Like you said it depends on wave quality. Thanks for the Vid.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

wow, you own all three seasides. That's actually nice. I'm lucky because my brother owns the 5'4 and betwen my 5'2, 5'3, and his 5'4 I get to choose too. I think I would like the D2 better if it were a 5'6 like my old dominator. that 5'4, with wide point back, feels like a 5'1 to me. I do have to surf it more for sure thought.

[@mattclem382]

Love the review style. We can learn so much from board comparisons in similar waves. That visual provides so much more than talking about the design features. I also own a 5'3 seaside 28 liters , in a clean faced, down the line wave, its hard to beat. The fastest board I've ridden. But when the waves have some punch and I want to do more vertical turns in the lip, I LOVE my 5'6 spitfire 28 liters. The spitfire is just so dependable and I can connect with the lip every time and throw lots of spray. The seaside needs really good timing to connect with the lip well, so i feel like i have to surf very carefully and clean. With the spitfire I can let loose and throw all the power i want into turns and the board never surprises me. It's the most intuitive board I've ridden. I'm 5'10 and 67kgs

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Agreed. I sort of wish I had the 5'6 dom2 instead of the 5'4 dom2 in the review but the board was a lucky find. 1/2 price and right now, it is had to find. I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I think in the video I said exactly that, if you buy the dom2 and seaside, get them roughly the same liters. Anyways, there is a swell coming in later this week. I'm hoping to get some footage. I'm trying to find the tomo fish next. I would love to review that and compare it to something like the gofish. they aren't in the same category but it would be interesting to see how they are different.

[@mattclem382]

@@ThomyeSurfs from what I understand the Dom2 wide point is a little further forward than the spitfire, so i was considering a 5'4 at 26 liters which is my normal shortboard literage. But on Firewire's podcast most of the employees suggest riding Dan Mann's boards at 2 to 3 liters more than your regular short board. I think its because the wide point is usually set back between your feet which makes it super nimble even if its a bit longer. The location of the wide point is something I have been playing with recently, both of the those boards are super fast, but in different ways. Also, in the footage you can definitely see that you're used to the seaside and the easy, down the line speed it has. I haven't ridden much softer beach break but it would be interesting to see if you really went for a more aggressive and vertical riding style on the dom2 and see what happens.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@mattclem382 I read that too and that sort of makes sense to me. the part about 2 to 3 liters more that is. My normal board, which I don't really own anymore, is a 5'8 x 18 1/2 x 2 1/4 which normally comes in between 24 to 26 L. If I went with their suggestion, I would end up on the 5'6 which is about right. I have the 5'8 spitfire which I can surf and it surfs well but the issue with that board is that once you go too long, the board gets too wide. The 5'8 spit is 20" wide. I surfed it at BSR in Waco and it did not work well for me. The wave, although not that big, was almost too steep and I have little feet, haha. I'm going to try and runt he 5'4 dom2 as a thruster next time and see how it goes. I would love to go back to BSR and surf the dom2. One thing that is important that most people don't talk or think about is height and stance. someone that is 5'8 at 145lbs and surfs 28L "shouldn't" be on the same board as someone who is 6'1 at 165lbs and surf 28L. another factor is skill level. I feel people put too much emphasis on the literage nowadays. I think it is a great starting point but shouldn't be the end all be all answer. The only exception I have seen is Kevn Shulz that surfs for firewire. I think he is 6'1 and surf a 5'4 dom2. but for whatever reason, the board does not look too small on him. Shoot, Noel Salas is 5'9 and the 5'4 dom2 looked way to small for him. so odd. it's a great topic though. Surfboards, type of waves, the surfers' weight and size, surfers skill. soo many variables and yet I see people try and thin the conversation down and make it about one or two things. it's such a difficult thing to do.

[@mattclem382]

@@ThomyeSurfs I totally know what you mean. How did that 5'4 not look short on Kevin at 6'1? I couldn't believe that. I definitely agree that height seems be left out of the equation. No volume calculator uses height in the equation. I feel like a really tall skinny guy would have a tough time finding firewire boards that suit his body type. But I guess stance and riding style also matters. I love the performance and durability of firewire, it would be so sick if something similar was available custom. I guess the closest thing is XTR? I saw one of their boards in person and it just didn't have a super clean finish quality to it. I'm living on a tiny island in japan and don't get to check out boards that often so thanks for the video.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@mattclem382 I remember when Firewire had the custom, I kick myself for not having ordered boards through that system. I have written emails to them and unfortunately, they won't bring it back. I would love a narrower Seaside as well as a narrower Dominator2. My only pet peeve with firewire or the epoxy technology is that the boards turn yellow over time, firewire yellow. I had a dhd pu that I rode for years and then went to Firewire, the PU after 10 years was still white as can bee. While one of my firewires, a 5'8 altenator that sad right next to the DHD on the rack, turned yellow. I wish they would fix that. As durable as they are, they still will break down over time but it would be nice to have them white during that period. what island are you on. I want to check it out on satellite. Is the surf any good on the island.

[@bendare8210]

The Dominator 2.0 has a bump squash closely resembling my CI Flyer that I use to surf which I never really gelled with which is what made me actually buy the Dominator 1.0. I realize that everything is subjective but after trying out different fins and configurations, quads, thrusters etc. on my Dominator 1.0 I’ve found that the Captain Fin Co. twin + small trailer fin along with the wider round tail gave me the drive as well as tight pivots off the top that I was looking for.

[@madprof6719]

That's had me easing off the trigger a bit. Sound advice there, I would guess the additional rocker in the 2.0 also makes it harder to gain speed in mush. Thanks for the video.

[@tckimx]

Excellent review. The money shot was the direct comparison to the seaside on the same wave on the same day. You can really see which board is faster off the start. I think FireWire should do a controlled baseline measurement of all their boards at Kelly’s wave. Taking the variability of the ocean out of the equation would really give a good baseline of the board’s inherent speed relative to other models. Just saying “this board is really fast on small waves” means nothing!? Relative to what? Great job. looking fwd to your next review. If you are looking for a model to review, consider the twice baked. I loved the Baked Potato and would love to see how it compares to the Seaside and Dom2.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I will try and get that board soon. I loved my baked potato too, so much I literally surfed mine till it wasn't surfable. Thank god the seaside came along. :)

[@jamiemacmahan3417]

great review! Nice job!

[@hounddog7256]

Good and honest without the "spin"... just helped me out in the choice, I'm going SeaSide... 👍

[@michaelmiles8566]

Awesome job!

[@GuiKeller]

I surf similar waves and reckon that you looked much better on the Seaside; at the moment I ride a Chumlee for the small days and a Monsta Box when the waves have a bit more power or are steeper. I was considering getting the Dominator 2 (upgrade from the Chumlee) but now I convinced that I am better off looking for something else as a groveler. Cheers!

[@ThomyeSurfs]

for sure a different groveler. I had the 5'3 chumlee and I think the 5'1 would have been better. The dom definitely wont' fill the same space/hole as the chumlee. Too different and too narrow. I went from the chumlee to the seaside. Although I am now eyeing the glazer.

[@freeaccount2943]

You are such a good surfer

[@SlickWillie]

seaside is a great all around board. anything that is steep around 6ft, and you will def have to watch out on late drops. dominator 2 looks interesting but i think i will just stick to my seaside. had a glazer as well - but ended up selling it. it rode exactly like my seaside - other than being able to ride in the pocket a little better. thanks for the reviews! do one on the aipa twin or fishbeard!

[@ThomyeSurfs]

same. although since i have it already, i will continue to try it out and update everyone. I personally think it would go so good at someplace like BSR in waco.

[@tezf6883]

I've had Seaside and Mashup but the dominator 2 is my absolute favourite

[@SlickWillie]

@@tezf6883 hey what up - my comment didnt age well lol. I have since gotten rid of my seaside, and only have a dominator 2 and mashup now. I ride the mashup more than the D2 - but they are both great boards!

[@pullinside9]

The outline with the slight hip bumps reminds me of the classic Merrick Flyer. Looks like it would go good at Church or Lowers. My Haydenshapes Misc acts similar to the Dom 2 in generating speed in gutless surfs. It goes great when it's punchier but gags when it's soft and mushy. I think the rails have a lot to do with it. I don't have that problem with fuller rails boards like the Hypto, the Hydra or the MR.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

it does remind me of the flyer too, just with a narrower nose though. after holding the dom2, and then holding my seaside, I was surprised at how thick the seaside was in the middle. i need to get my sharpeye modern2 reviewed. I have had it for 2 years and only surfed it like 5 times. haha

[@Dicko301]

A good honest review, top job.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Someone brought it to my attention of why I put the dom2 side by side with the seaside and I realized I left out a portion of my review. The reason I put them side to side in the beginning of the video was to show you why I think they changed the paint scheme. If you look at the vide at roughly 2:14 you will notice that on my seaside rail, the white paint that covers the bolsa rails is fading. I noticed that also happened to my Spitfire Helium as well. I think because of this, they decided to paint the rails black. This is not verified but it is my best guess. I was somehow able to get probably one of the earlier production runs without the new paint job. I got this board 2nd hand and it hadn't been ridden. It also has small ding on the bottom towards the nose but it's not bad enough to require a repair.

[@simonecani9194]

NIce review! ttahnks for sharing. I m looking for a replacement of my old hypto krypto (5'6, about 28.3 L) and I m looking for something with a bit more performance; a board that allows me to tighten my turns. I believ the Dom 2 can be that board. I was thing about the 5'6, it ahas almost the same volume of my Hypto but the shape is a little bit shortboard-like. Would you recomend it? P S the seaside is also nice but I already have a fish I m in love with and I m not looking for another fish-like board Thanks

[@ThomyeSurfs]

D2 could be that board. It will most definitely pivot better but not exactly sure what you mean by tightening up the turn. Usually rounded pins turn tighter. But I am thinking you mean pivot.

[@udiack1803]

Great review, thanks for taking the time. Did you ever tried the Firewire Evo by Tomo? I think it will work great for you on those type of waves.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I haven't yet. I will definitely be picking one up if it comes on the used market. Everyone seems to love the EVO.

[@liallclarke3511]

You do great reviews and your insight is very helpful… Would you have considered getting the Dom2 in a higher liter closer to your seaside and now mash up. I’m looking at the mash up fin set up seems to be imp based on your video with the four types of fins. Keep doing pic in picture I think that was a great video

[@ThomyeSurfs]

The volume of the dom2 was fine but the length was too short. The D2 wide point is back from center which I don't like. So the board surfs much shorter than it is. I likes the original dominator in a 5'8 but it was too much vol and too wide. I think this is why so many people love the dominator. You can surf it bigger get the volume but still have good maneuverability.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

This is also why I love the mashup so much more. They move the white point forward put all the volume in it but kept the board small and narrow er than the dom

[@liallclarke3511]

That being said do you think some length would have made it more enjoyable… I know that it makes it wider and more liters so it may not have been enjoyable. Anyway again thanks for the insight and responses. I think I’m gonna get the mash up… My only concern with it is that it won’t handle in some steeper surf and won’t go as vertical as I want. I’m trying to get more performance out of my surfing and everyday board. Historically I have ridden boards to small for me so the 5’10 might meet most of my wants

[@StokedForTravel]

Absolutely loving my D2 - now my go to shortboard for sure and handles such a range of conditions! Where’d you get it in plain white though? The new rail colours scratch up super fast!

[@ThomyeSurfs]

that sucks about the rail scratching. I thought it was under the resin. Anyways, I got mine second hand from someone else who does board reviews. He gets his boards directly from firewire. You might know him, Noel Salas. I think they were first released without the new paint job. I noticed a bunch in the background of Dan Mann's Dom2 video. I personally like the plain white better. Anyways, I really need to demo another 5'4. I was just looking at the fin spacing on the Dom2's online and it is different than mine. I will have to give it a go with a different set of fins too.

[@Drohead20]

I have the seaside in a 5”10. I’m in San Diego. Was thinking about this board for the winter to act as a “step up”. 6”2. This puts me about the same liter as my seaside, but some added length. Think it’s worth it? Just wondering how my Seaside is gonna handle some of the bigger days in the winter. By bigger I just mean head high. I also have the 6”8 SSB … lol

[@ThomyeSurfs]

you sort of have to be careful with a seaside to Dom2 transition. The reason being, the seaside is wide point front from center. so a 5'10 is actually like a 6'5 with it's nose cut off. The Dom2 is the opposite, it is wide point back from center which makes the board actually shorter than it is. so the 6'2 is like a 5'6 Seaside. haha, hard to say exactly how they line up. Anyways, i guess it depends on if you are going for better performance in bigger waves or better paddling in bigger waves. I used to go for better performance but noticed that I missed catching waves because of it. anyways, me personally, I like my 5'3 seaside for small waves but for a step up, i want better performance and paddling so i have to go with a tad more volume but make it a lot, and I mean a lot, narrower. my 5'3 seaside is 20 5/16" wide. Ideally, my step up performance should be around 29 to 30L, just a tad more than my 5'3 seaside, but I would want it at least 6'2 to 6'4 and 19" wide. this way, the wide point is still at or above my front foot and my board is narrow enough to control given the speed I should be getting from the wave, and, to get into waves, I'll have that extra volume. so basically, what is it exactly that you want in a step up. to be honest for me, once the waves get 1.5x over head, I really don't try many maneuvers. so just being up early, out front, and possible barrels is all i care about.

[@jorais0711]

Great review. I own a seaside 5“9 and a Sunday 6“8 and that’s a pretty spot on quiver for me as a land locked holiday surfer. However, I would like to add a board that is a little bit better in steeper waves. Since I always have to travel to go surfing, I would like to cover conditions from knee- to overhead surf. I tested the seaside and the Sunday in proper way overhead surf in France. But when the waves are steeper and more powerful I am interested in your opinion the dominator 2.0 could close the gap between my boards. ( I am thinking of a 5“11 size). Greetings from Europe

[@ThomyeSurfs]

it would close the gap nicely between the Seaside and the Sunday but likely in similar conditions or just bigger but same sort of weak to standard waves. But if you are talking about proper steep waves, I think something a little narrower would be best. if you did go for something to close the gap, what sort of volume would you looking to get?

[@jorais0711]

@@ThomyeSurfs Thanks for the reply. I just found out that the happy everyday was just released. Could be the perfect match for my needs. I am thinking about 35 litres of volume.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@jorais0711 that board looks fun. My buddy has a pre release of that board. He likes it a lot.

[@jorais0711]

@@ThomyeSurfs Maybe you are keen for a little review on the channel. Would be Stoked to watch it. :)

[@SamuT79]

Hello!! Thanks for your videos!! Can you tell me the differences riding D2 on a quad or 2+1 (twin fins + trailer)? Example wave range, maniobrability, (I Guess 2+1 is looser than a quad), generate speed...... Your opinión in general. What is your opinión? THANKS

[@ThomyeSurfs]

the hard part about this question is that I surf Bolsa. At Bolsa, you get a wide range of conditions but more specifically, there is a wide range of waves. On any given day, you can have a soft wave and then a punchy wave, it just depends on the sandbar. Anyways, the reason I bring this up is that it is really hard to pinpoint exactly what a fid does in certain conditions. Having said that, here is my take: Quad - all around great drive. Drive being the amount of pressure you can apply to the fins to generate your own speed. Speed which isn't given to you by the wave. On a quad, I feel like the sweet spot for drive is spread out fairly evenly depending on the size of the back fins. If the back fins are smaller, then the sweet spot for drive is more forward. Quads tend to be maneuverable, I know this because my backhand sucks but it is better when I'm surfing a quad. 2+1 - great drive but has a much smaller sweet spot for drive which is forward. right over the front fins. Behind the font fins, the board becomes super loose and when doing maneuvers, a lot of release. It gets squirrely at times in broken water. I tend to like 2+1 on smaller softer waves. if you are good about placing your feet and moving them around, you can generate more speed on a 2+1 in less than perfect conditions. At the same time, if you need release on a turn, move your feet back. So generally speaking, I like quads in bigger punchier waves and the 2 +1 in smaller softer waves. As a side note, I surfed a 2+1 at BSR wavepool and found it difficult. On that wave, you want a thruster where your drive can come from way back on the tail pad. Anyways, that is my take. I'd imagine it is different for people depending on where they stand and how they move their feet around. I thing too often, people simplify surfing to one thing and forget that there are 20 different variables: wave size, wave steepness, have fast a wave is traveling, surfers stance, surfers weight distribution, fins, rails, board, foil, and the list goes on and on. Hope this helps a little.

[@SamuT79]

@@ThomyeSurfs ....all you said is going to help a lot. Very interesting what you said about the size of rear Fins quad. I am 6 FT tall and 79 kg, riding my new Firewire Spitfire (similar to D2) and the BEST óption I see now is set It Up as a quad because of the stability or Drive I have as a quad. I Will try 2+1 further on once I control well the board and have "new" feeling as 2+1 as well as thruster. As a quad, I Will also check the size of my back Fins and try smaller back Fins and see how It goes with my back foot. THANKS for your help Where I am from there is also differents range of waves in a same day although not often! (mediterránean sea).

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@SamuT79 I love the spitfire. I had that board for a while. I think that is the board I'm riding in my 360 video. let me know how it goes and how the different fins work for you. It also helps me figure out reality vs concept. Cheers brotha.

[@SamuT79]

@@ThomyeSurfs I ll check your 360 vídeo, I read that D2 and Spitfire are similar....is It right? Range of waves ...... although the Tails are different. Ok tell me when you can about the Fins set Up Ford the spitfire Thanks Bro!

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@SamuT79 the D2 is a tad more performance oriented. it is narrower and thinner relative to length so a tad less volume but not much. just a little more performance characteristics. so if you surf a 5'8 spit, in order to get the same volume at least, you would want to be on a 5'9 D2. However, the idea really is to upgrade/progress to a more performance oriented board so you would want to get the same size. technically it's not a performance board, it is a performance groveler. Anyways, they are a bit different. you also have the hip which the spit didn't have.

[@alexjung4416]

Hi Thomye, I found this review so refreshing. It's amazing how useful a review can be if one doesn't have to worry about selling boards and upsetting suppliers. So, thank you. I do have an unrelated question: do you have any experience with the Evo and if so, what are your thoughts? In particular, how would you relate it to the Seaside or the Dominator in terms of appropriate surfer skill level, and wave quality. Thanks.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I have no experience with EVO unfortunately. But having said that, two of my really good friends, both love their evo's. So much they have been telling me to get one. HB Warner shop had a few blems in stock a while ago, I probably should have picked one up. If I ever come across one, I'll make sure to pick it up and try it out.

[@MrAeroled99]

ever have a trailer fin that is flat on one side opposed to rounded on both side...i was planning on using the Gxq as my trailer with the seaside fronts but feels like it not completely rounded on both sides...prolly woundnt hurt anything.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

depends on if it is a fcs or futures. FCS and FCS 2 fins are vertical and the cant is built into the mount on the board. Futures though have the cant built into the fin so if they are the rear fins of a quad, they will typically lean to one side.

[@theAussie01]

@@ThomyeSurfs thanx....you answered a question for me I didn't even ask. Futures and the built in cant.🤟🏄👍

[@mjstatic77]

Great review! ....and you are doing things different to other reviewers 👍. The fin box positioning is interesting, would you say the front fins are set back as far as I twin fin or performance twin fin?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

i'll measure it and let you know on all three boards: gofish, seaside, and dom2. visually, it does look like the gofish is further back since it is a dedicated twin. but i'll confirm in a bit.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

so, after measuring, there are definite differences. Because not all fins are the same, I measured everything from the front of the fin vs real. With a Keel fin, measuring from the rear would offset everything by the width of the keel. At at any rate, here is what I found: GoFish = 12.5" from front of the machado twin keel fin to the very tip of tail. Seaside = 15.5" from front of the machado quad keel to very tip of tail. Dom2 = 15" from front of the machado quad keel to very tip of tail. I expected the gofish to be further back since it is a dedicated twin. What I did NOT expect was that the seaside fins being .5"further up since it is a dedicated quad. I would have expected it to be further back. Having said that, this may explain the reason why the front and rear fins boxes are .5" further apart than on the dom2 and taking into consideration that it is a swallow and although it has a longer rail line, the swallow makes it resist more like a shorter tail. Now I am curious how the Sharpeye Modern 2 is set up. BTW, when I measured the seaside and the dom2, I measured them both with the machado quad keels.

[@MrAeroled99]

As far as a bigger trailer fin for the domain 2 what would you say? Say regular medium size fin? Or is that too big

[@ThomyeSurfs]

if you are running a 2 +1 setup, I think the medium trailer will be too big. it's just a thruster at that point. Since the side fins have all the area, not sure you need that big a trailer. I bought the NVS 4.0, they are smaller than a small set of fins. In fact, they are right in between a small fin and the stabilizer that I had in the video. I won't know how well they work till I get some bigger waves. I think this week is looking good for us. Maybe I'll have some decent dom2 footage by end of the week. photos.app.goo.gl/6wRhrN5LefQcGNmn8 Here is a small video of the trailer i'm using now.

[@MrAeroled99]

@@ThomyeSurfs not sure i know what a 2+1 setup is? is it a thurster set up with a smaller trailer fin? how about the seaside front fins with a G-xq trailer fin? also on the Dom 2 with the 1 liter less and thinner rails does it loose even just a little of its paddling feel.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@MrAeroled99 2 +1 typically refers to a twin fin set with a small trailer. The seaside front fins are bigger than a large set of thrusters but not quite as big as Twin fins. So technically, it's not a 2 +1 but I think you can run it as a 2 +1 as long as the trailer is smaller than a small size thruster back fin. You will get a similar feel. something that has drive, less drag, and lots of release at the end of a maneuver. To me, a 2 +1 is a thruster with bigger front fins and a much smaller back fin. You should try it out. it is funs but just make sure that the back fin is small, half the size of a normal thruster back fin.

[@palesomim4306]

Hello tommy, thanks for what you are doing. Question, Is the dom II and the mash up in the same realm? Are they meant for the same type of surf? If so which one would you recommend the dominator II the mash up board for a daily driver.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

the mashup is meant for slightly weaker and smaller waves. but both are considered grovelers.

[@palesomim4306]

Would you put the Rocket wide and dom II in the same field? Thanks for gettting back

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@palesomim4306 I think those two are closer. The mashup is really flat or has a real large flat section through the middle of the board. Which helps with the speed in smaller flatter softer conditions. I think the rocket wide has a little bit more rocker and curve to it so it probably actually works better in the pocket and punchier waves but it is still meant to be a groveler.

[@tezf6883]

Ive had a Mashup was fun but Dominator 2 is my absolute favourite hand down

[@gglendormi]

A friend and i bought a FCS pad and despite the good setup we have one side starting to pull out both on the same side.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

how long after did it start coming off? And is it peeling from the front or the back where the kick is?

[@gglendormi]

@@ThomyeSurfs From the front left. Maybe 1 week after, i cut it back to avoid going further but not ideal still. Interesting to see if it happens to you. I thought i didnt care enough but the fact that my friend has the same thing is suss

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@gglendormi I will let you know if that happens to me. I also put the FCS Julian Wilson on my Seaside which is the board I ride the most. Anyways, I'll keep an eye on it. Also, are you goofy or regular footed.

[@gglendormi]

@@ThomyeSurfs I m regular let me know 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@countryroadstakemehome]

7:45 look at those peaks man.

[@jose2x784]

What do you think about combining the dominator with taylor knox twin fins + 1 ?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

should work great. 2+1 in general for most people is the best setup. The reason it works so well for me is cuz I don't have the strongest legs so the push I put on them is relatively mild. I used to ride my old spitfire as a 2+1. Anyways, it should work great.

[@jose2x784]

@@ThomyeSurfs thanks I will give it a go!

[@RBNK157]

How is it compared to the Sci fi 2.0 and to the rocket wide Thomye ?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

to be fair, i surfed the doms in a 5'4 which i think is like 25.9L. The scifi2.0 i got in 5'7 and it is closer to 28L. I'm finding the scifi2.0 way more user friendly than the dom2. Having said that, I think if i were on a 5'7 dom2, it would have been a fair comparison. This is the hard thing about boards, sometime you get what you get. I got a deal on the 5'4 dom2 used so swooped on it. As for the rocket wide, I surfed that in a 5'6 and so far, the SciFi2 is better in my opinion but the scifi2.0 is a tad better in liters and I think is more narrow so also better suited for punchier waves. Sorry can't help be more clear but I feel like i'm comparing apples and pears. almost the same, but not quite.

[@jakedavid2523]

great review. wow the speed of the seaside is amazing in mushy waves. Have you tried the new Machado thruster set in it?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

unfortunately, the seaside is only a quad setup. it does not have the center fin box. I so wish he would make the seaside 2 with the center option. I do have the fins though and will try it in the glazer soon. we have a nice swell coming in next week. hoping for some 5'+ waves to push the glazer.

[@caseymccormack2000]

@@ThomyeSurfs Just wondering if you tried the Macho Thruster set in the D2 yet? Was curious to see if it worked well. Glazer or D2? Have you ridden the Glazer?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@caseymccormack2000 Actually I have. Those fins are pivot fins and D2 because it is only a 5'4 with all the width between the legs, has little to no swing weight. Super light and loose feeling. The pivot fins felt like it had no drive and hold. Like a quad, it felt too loose. I tried the EN Blacksticks which were so far the best fins I've tried. They are carver fins so they are raked back and have a lot of hold. The only drawback is that they are Medium fins. I would prefer a large fin to widen up the base a bit for more drive but have the take for hold and stability. I will try the Macho tri's on the 5'8 spitfire to see if it works on a bigger boar.

[@lorenzomercadante264]

Sorry man, would it be possible that the seaside looks faster because it'28.5 liters versus the 25 of the dominator?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

yes and no, in guttless waves, a wider boards do have an advantage of planing ease and speed. but I have had the D2 out on some decent waves and it's just not that fast for me. I have the 5'2 Seaside which is the Machado dims and it is only 24.6 L and it is as fast if not faster than my 5'3 seaside at 28.5L. For me, the outline of the D2 is what made it slow, not the volume. Have you heard pros and shapers talk about how grovelers are designed to make speed vs a performance board is designed to harness it? So the D2, although not a full performance board, has perf characteristics in the design. Therefore, it is somewhat in the middle of harnessing speed and making it. Having said that, I do mention that if it were bigger, it would have felt better for me. My favorite size Dom was the 5'8 which was 31L. The issue there was at 20" wide and with wide point in front of my front foot at that length, it rode more like a groveler. but, the issue was as soon as the waves got the slightest bit better, it wasn't as easy to surf cuz of all the extra volume, length and width. Anyways, everyone is different. and different things of a board affect people differently. which is why it is hard to review boards because what works for me may not for you and vise versa.

[@freeaccount2943]

I have a question do you think I would surf better if I was shorter I'm about 6'6.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I used to think so till I saw Jordy and Owen. Those guys are 6'3 I think. I guess it ultimately depends on your coordination and board choices. Although one major challenge for you is that on any given day, the waves are proportionately smaller for you than someone like me. The learning curve for you will be harder since you will need more wave height and energy which makes it harder for paddling and surfing. There are days I surf knee to waist high and see little groms that are surfing it like it is head high. Hopefully you have a nice soft 4ft to 5ft wave where you are.

[@freeaccount2943]

@@ThomyeSurfs I reside in Los Angeles and the waves are quite small where I surf.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@freeaccount2943 yeah, that is tough, they are a foot smaller for you than me. :( What type of board are you riding and do you have a goal in mind?

[@freeaccount2943]

@@ThomyeSurfs I ride a 6'4 I do not have any particular goals I just want to have fun.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@freeaccount2943 I think that's all that matters in the end.

[@chucks222]

Huge thanks for the great review. Super thoughtful and helpful to see the seaside and dominator side by side and in the sort of waves I find my self surfing more often than not. Curious if you felt like you had to surf the dominator a lot more off the back foot compared to the seaside? I find it takes me a while to switch when going from fish to more standard shortboard, have to get back foot all the way back and really drive off that back leg.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

that is a good point. I did have to consciously engage my back foot more. In fact, that is the very reason why I find myself putting a bigger trailer fin because I'm so heavy front footed that even when I do apply my back foot, it's not often weighted enough. having the bigger back fin helps so that the little pressure I put back there delivers more of a result. if that makes sense. anyways, one other thing I find is that every wave that I stand up on, it takes me a seconds to feel my back foot. at least one or two pumps before I feel like I have good rhythm.

[@scottcuttre9705]

Hey Thomye are you interested in selling the dominator 2?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Sorry mate, sold that one a long time ago. It was just too small for me. Volume wise, it was perfect but the outline was a tad short and it put the wide point way too far back for my front footedness. :)

[@scottcuttre9705]

Hey thomye I just rewatched this review and the last part where you did the seaside vs the D2 was a real eye opener. I’m very front footed as well and I don’t think the D2 would work as well for me either. So I’m gonna take the D2 off my list. Your waves on the seaside looked so much better. Have you surfed the Evo? I’m starting to look for one but really unsure of sizing. Any thoughts or suggestions on the Evo?

Why your board looks diferent ?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I am not sure why they made this without the new paint job. But when I saw it was the same board, I picked it up. I think it was the early production run of this model before the new pain job. Even the new seaside has the black rails.

@@ThomyeSurfs What about stringer all around the board ?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@the parabolic stringer is still there. it's just painted white. Like the older helium boards.

[@Toades8513]

why are you comparing 2 different boards?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I'm not comparing them. I'm more comparing two different situations. In fact, the boards are so different that it makes more sense to have both of these boards in your quiver. What I did say was that if you are looking for an all around board that is better suited for a broader range of waves types and those waves look like my waves, soft and mushy, the seaside is a better board. In the end, it's personal preference no matter what. I have friends who choose to surf thin, narrow, performance boards where we surf and they struggle. But that is what they like so if they made a video on youtube, they would likely suggest their type of board. I do like the dom2, I can feel potential. To be honest, I think it would go really good in WACO BSR. I surfed their last October, 2019, and I rode my 5'8" Spitfire and my old 5'7" Chubby Chedda, both firewires. the chubby chedda went way better at BSR but at bolsa, the Spitefire is better hand down. So to my earlier point, boards are only one facet. You have to look at the shape and size of the wave, the surfer, the shape and size of the surfboard too. A 5'4" dom2 is different than a 5'8" dom2 even though they are the same board. For me, they would ride completely different. If that makes sense. Anyways, I am still waiting for a bigger better day to get on the dom2. It needs a steeper face, at least the 5'4 for me does. If I had the 5'6, it would probably work better in my soft waves. but the longer I go on that board, the less I can whip it around. today I surfed my brother 5'5" Baked Potato. I was catching 1' to 2' waves and riding them for 50 yrds. really fun, so every day is different. Let me ask you though, if you can only have one board, which would it be? Let me know, I'm just curious.

[@KrytpoSurfer]

I love the American flag stickers but aren’t these boards made in Asia? 😂

[@ThomyeSurfs]

haha. Thailand I think. But even funnier, most flags are probably made out of country too. ironic.

[@KrytpoSurfer]

@@ThomyeSurfs agree. Great review though.

[@rodlivingston2842]

I would say you aren’t the best surfer to show how this board works. Sorry

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I am hoping I match my audience. I think pro's a high level advanced can pretty much surf anything. So my goal is to put my experience in hopes that people in and around my skill level can decide if the board is right for them. But I agree, I'm probably not the best surfer to showcase any board at it's potential. haha :)

[@MrB1019]

@@ThomyeSurfs don't listen to this fool.. I mix your Vids with noel Salas and find you have dimensions that he doesn't get launching.. And you draw different lines that I like.. This chump probably surfs trash.. Keep up the good work

[@tundahking]

Those are two totally different boards.