FireWire Mashup surfboard review

The FireWire Mashup surfboard review. I have owned the Mashup surfboard for two months now. The Mashup is a collaboration between Dan Mann and Surfing Legend Rob Machado. It is a mixture of the Firewire Spit Fire (Dan Mann) and the Firewire Seaside ( Rob Machado) with a sprinkling of the Dominator surfboard.
The FireWire Mashup is fast and responsive and is described as a high-performance fish surfboard. It isn't a true groveler and starts performing when the waves are shoulder-high, but it could be described as a groveler for a pro surfer.
I love surfing the Mashup but have definitely felt there to be a learning curve for me. However, I find the surfboard exciting as it has many surfboards rolled into one. It's been described as a daily driver and a Swish Army Knife, and this is true as the surfboard performance can greatly be changed with different fin setups.
At this time, I'm experimenting with a two-plus-one fin setup
I'm super excited about owning and surfing the Mashup surfboard and will add further updated videos on my progress in mastering the board. #mashup #robmachado #Danmann #surfboards #surf #firewire
Dan Mann's breakdown of the FireWire Mashup Surfboard
• Full Mashup Breakdown ...

[@ryanwild8614]

I struggled to like my mashup, the rocker that makes it fast with that flat spot vs the continuous rocket of the seaside felt odd. At 38L I was missing waves but my 38L tomo paddled better

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

I'm the same. I don't find Rob's boards easy to surf. I have a Cado, and it feels like a fight with both boards. I have been tempted to get a Seaside, but a few have said the same as you; it is very strange. Some find the models really easy and fun to ride!🤙

[@a.lame.username.]

The Mash Up is like the Seaside in that it does surprisingly surprising things. For me, that's not a good thing.

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

I always wanted a seaside since they first came out. Some say it is the fastest board they have ridden. Do you own one? I have bought the Mashup and the Cado, and I find them challenging to surf, which is a bit of a bummer. I looked at a few clips of me surfing the mashup the other day when I was considering buying a Revo. And they didnt look too bad, but when I surf it, it's unpredictable, and sometimes it just stops. It has some good moments, too😂 I'm hoping with some practice, I can get used to surfing them, as I was excited about getting them🙏

[@a.lame.username.]

Had a Seaside in the Quiver for a few years and really tried to master riding it. Never could! Ridden the Mashup and felt it was similar. Just doesn't do what I think it's going to do half the time. I'm a big fan of Tomo's boards. The Revo is nothing like the Evo. It likes good waves. My favourite board of the last decade has got to be the Cymatic. I find it to be really fast and fun in most conditions. I actually got my local shaper to make three different versions of the Cymatic for me!

[@a.lame.username.]

I forgot to say, I'm sure you'll grow to love the Machadocado. I've just bought one and surfed it once. My feeling is that I never had a surf that good on the Seaside or the Chumlee. The Cado instantly felt like a good high performance groveler to me.

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

It's great to hear that because everywhere on the internet, people rave about the Mashup, which made it seem weird that I have found it hard to ride. And I was considering buying a seaside.🙏 I have looked at the Cymatic, and when I bought the Cado, Miguel, in the surf shop, rides one and says how good it was. Three versions, I need to test ride one for sure, thanks 😀🤙

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

Thanks, I hope you're right; I surfed it yesterday with the Machado Keels. My son says I look slow on it😂. I'm starting to get a little frustrated with it. The waves were fat, but it was 4 feet. I surfed it a few days ago with the Machado 2+1 fins but without the trailer fin, and that's the most fun I have had on it so far. I should have got the 5’4, maybe. At the moment, it feels like a dunger. Or perhaps I'm the dunger😂😂😂🤙

[@KyleSurfHawaii]

Thank you for such a honest great review. In my honest opinion, looks like you was killing it on that spit fire video clips. Nothing like a board that works right off the bat. Love at first ride. Boards that just rip. You definitely would rip the seaside 💯 I got a 5’5 Volcanic Seaside & I just recently bought A Volcanic Sweet Potato & Rode it twice. I went with Volcanic, specifically for what you said, these boards isn’t cheap!!! & I found volcanic is the most durable of them all. It will brown a little, but not even close as noticeable as the helium. I feel like you would love the Sweet Potato. I bought the 5’4”@ 34 liters. Wishing I went with the 5’2” @ 31 liters. If you want a board that hits the gas pedal and plain over flat parts to hit re entries no doubt the sweet potato would make you happy. I honestly been looking into a mashup, only because I heard it’s a step up on performance from the Seaside, which I’m confused!? The seaside Rips with FLOW!!!! Top to bottom. This video is probably one of the most honest videos out there, where it’s helping me not to follow into all this board buying hype 🤦🏻‍♂️ back in the day, all we had is one custom board and we made it work…. Regardless…. We had no choice. Any way brother 😎 Much Aloha from Oahu Hawaii Hoping for some good swells soon 🤙🏽🏄🏽‍♂️

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

@JM-pf5qc Thank you for the positive feedback. And also the advice on the seaside and sweet potato. I think you are right. A seaside would have been a better match for me. I didn't want a board that I had to put so much effort into to generate speed, and I thought the Mashup would be better for flat sections. But there are things I do like about it. Thanks for your time🤙 Best regards from Portugal 🇵🇹 🙏

[@TravisVarga]

Nice! Great review - lol putting out a review myself within the hour. Interesting points you make - funny board clicked with me right away, where as for you a bit tricky under your feet. Reminds me of the Pod Mod, and perhaps I'm more use to riding these types of shapes? The fins seem to change it up heaps too. Nice edit and surfing, thanks.

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

Thanks, Travis🙏 Yeah, it's weird, but I have surfed loads of fish. I used to make boards years ago, and I shaped many fish for myself and got on with them from the start. I even surfed a JOB skipper last summer and jumped straight on it with no problem. When I look at the clips, they don't look too bad. But when I'm surfing it, it feels like a bit of a fight to get the board to do what I want. But I'm getting used to it, and at times, it feels incredible because of the squirts of speed you can get out of the board. There is a review by Kevin Schultz surfing some small waves: “he is ripping,” but he is definitely catching rail on his backhand a little. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKmYeZKbZsueaZosi=fekfC13TMsuTTNRY I hope that the review doesn't seem negative. I like the board, but it hasn't been plain sailing for me. I'm stoked it clicked for you right away😄🤙 I will check out your review. Thanks for the positive feedback🙏

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Great review. I think you were spot on with the thruster setup, I found it a bit tight as a Thruster. I attributed it to the Large Fanning fins I was using but maybe it was just the thruster setup. 2+1 is definitely the setup for this board. That board look good on you btw. Also, what size Spit were you on? For me, although I'm a thin guy, I surfed the 5'8 spitfire but now surf the 5'4 Mashup, they are 4L apart. Just curious, the spit with it wide point back for me forced me to surf it longer.

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

Thanks, Thomye🙏 my Spitfire is 5’8 ", and I also have a 5’8" Mashup. I haven’t ridden the Mashup for a while. But in the last few surfs, I used a quad set-up, and I like the board a lot more, especially the backside. I found on the backside with 3 and 2+1 I couldn’t get any drive down the line or do backside cutbacks very well. I think I’m going to ride it the next few surfs.🤙

[@JupiterGeorgeFishing]

Thanks for the honest video. I also have a mash up and have been wondering if i should trade it in. Same issues as you. I haven't ridden it as much as you yet. Have gotten some good waves on it but it seems difficult to really figure out. Been trying some different fins. The 2 plus 1 didn't really do it, seems like it lost drive, which is the opposite of what i have heard. The merrick fins seem to work ok and so do the rusty fins. Haven't tried it as a quad yet, what fin setup are you using?

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

I also didnt like it as a 2 +1 or a thruster. I have had much more success with a quad set-up, way more drive, and a total transformation on the backhand. I couldn't get it to go with the other fin setups (back-hand). I bought a Cado about a month ago but haven't had a chance to surf it as I had a lump cut out of my leg a couple of days after I got it. I bought it because I don't think (for me) the mash-up is a small waveboard. I saw a video that Rob said that the Mashup is the board he takes out in bigger surf. And in Solid head high and little above is the best surfs I have had on it. I will try to get a review out on the Cado soon, I'm hoping to get back in the water this week. Defiantly give it a go as a quad before you sell it. Its not been an Instand winner for me like a lot of people have experienced. I'm hoping it will be more useful in mid-sized surf 4-6 feet. But much better as a quad🤙

[@JupiterGeorgeFishing]

@@surfingtipsandtricks What quad fins are you using? Also, I bought it because I had a spitfire and loved it too. Mash up doesn't feel much like the spitfire in my opinion...

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

I just have some cheap Surfer Fins, Im going to get the Endorfin quads. Yeah, it's nothing like the spitfire. I think the seaside is probably a better match. I also bought the Machado 2+1 to go with the Machado Cado, I will give those a go in the Mashup, too. Really hope I like the Cado 😂

[@tezf6883]

​@surfingtipsandtricks Tomo helium hydroshort is my one board quiver absolutely love that board.

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

@@tezf6883 I will try and get my hands on one😃🙏🤙

[@garylugg9860]

Tried the mashup and went and bought an RNF 96 Love the RNF a lot more

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

I have looked at that board a lot, looks super fun!🤙

[@יוסףיוסף-נ8ט]

For an average surfer weighing 77 kg and 174 cm tall What size board would you recommend?

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

I am 78kg, and I have the 5’8”. It paddles pretty well. What do you usually ride, litres? I think you could go up if you wanted to; it has nice rails, and the step tail makes the rail line nice and low through the tail. The 5’9” is 34.1L They have done an excellent job of hiding the foam in the board. You have to consider how much you surf and how paddle-fit you are. I'm not always paddle fit because I can't surf every day, so I have to have my boards a bit thicker than I would choose if I were super fit🤙

[@יוסףיוסף-נ8ט]

@@surfingtipsandtricks I surf on al merrick pod mod 5.6 and 31.3 liter I need something that will be easier to get into the waves

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

@@יוסףיוסף-נ8טIt's a similar plan shape to the Mashup; the Mashup looks slightly more high-performance. I think you will feel a difference in paddle power with the 5’8”, But if you want to feel a considerable difference, go for the 5’9”. It's nearly 3L more.🤙

[@fox.709]

Great review, thanks for sharing your thoughts. What is your height and weight compared to the board? Looking at the footage once you manage to put the board on rail it turns and looks very good.

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

I 78kg ( on a good day 😂 ) it probably has a bit more volume than I need, but I suffered a shoulder injury and need the paddle power. I tried it as a quad for the 1st time yesterday, and it transformed (for me) the way it surfs. All the resistance I was feeling from the board disappeared. And it has much more drive down the line. I have had some great quads in the past, but they always surf very laterally. But that doesn't seem to be the case with the Mashup and I was able to go vertical. I will have to make another review for the board as a quad. Thanks for the positive feedback 🤙

[@Tiaguini78]

Great review. It is hard to find a disappointed board review these days. I am curious about the Mashup, because it have a Seaside. Don’t know why exactly, but I find it way better going backside, then frontside. Hoping to see the update review after the summer. It has been slow…

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

Thank you 🙏I definitely would like a Seaside. I have been surfing the Mashup as a quad the last few surfs and like it more than as a three-fin or 2+ 1. I still find at times that it won't plane on flat or small sections that I would expect it to, considering its plan shape and thickness. I haven't tried the Seaside, but I have surfed a lot of quads; they often surf very fast but lateral, and it can be hard to hit the lip.🤙

[@Tiaguini78]

​@@surfingtipsandtricks Yes, other people have said that to me.I bought my seaside second hand, they are easy to find now, although most of them are very yellow by now. (I painted in red mine, looks great) My brother has just got the Album Twinsmann. Very hard to find, but it’s a magical board.

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

Yeah, it's very disappointing how yellow the Firewires go. My Evo is in perfect condition kept out of the sun, but its so yellow. I have a Syfy that has hardly been used really. But is going yellow. It's not like they a cheap😂😂 I will look out for the Album board🙏

[@cornwallguide]

Had my mashup for a couple of years now. Found it pretty easy to surf on straight away coming from a HPSB. Was much more of a problem going back the other way as it made my normal shortboard feel kind of unresponsive. Have surfed the Mashup with a range of fin setups. Was great as a quad, especially in small stuff, but have gone back to riding as a thruster as i now have a full on groveller. One thing I'd be interested in is a comparison with the Lost RNF. Looking at the two they are very similar on paper, but I've never heard anyone compare the two...

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

Yes, I have been looking at that model; there seems to be nothing on KZbin. I seem to be in the minority; most reviewers report the same experience as you with the mashup and find it an easy transition. I have been lazy with the boards I have been surfing over the last few years. They have needed minimal speed generation through sections. I have been tempted to go full Twin Fin for the speed and fun. But I still want to be able to do proper turns. Thanks for your feedback🤙 I'm definitely going to try it as a quad next session 🙏

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

I just surfed as a quad; it's like night and day! All that resistance is gone! Most of the waves were backhand, which I struggled with as a 2+1 and a thruster. The concaves could work properly, and the board became lightning fast and drivey! It's funny that I nearly set it up as a quad in the first week. But instead ordered a 2 +1 set up. On one wave I did about 8 snaps 😂😂 I found that the spitfire was better as a quad, but not like this! The Spitfire was always very lateral. But the mashup will go vert as a quad! Last few boards I set up as quads I didnt really like. And that was my resistance😂 Thanks for sharing🙏🙏🤙

[@sachaDS0]

Dude! I literally want the same! I asked Thomye Surf that actually. I ride the RNF96 and absolutely love it. Looking at the dims and outlines they seem pretty similar so I am curious as well.

[@cornwallguide]

@@sachaDS0 Have a friend who's just got an RNF in my size - so hopefully get to compare in the near future... Have to say I can't surf like Mason Ho on my Mashup so it probably is very different 😂

[@cornwallguide]

@@surfingtipsandtricks Definitely surfs great as a quad. I tried mine as a 2+1 but was very meh about it. I like it as a thruster - but I'm using it as a kind of step up from a Sweet Potato now, so wanted it to feel a bit more in the middle between that and my Pyzel.