JS Raging Bull and Fire Wire Dominator II: A Laymans Guide

This is a quick spiel on two boards that seem to be gettng noticed on KZbin and on the beahces in Australia. I've really enjoyed both boards, particulalry the Dominator. I dont necessarily rip on waves, but i have a go and dont mind a little bit of size in the surf. Probably the definition of your slightly above average surfer with no affiliation to any brand of surfboard.

[@jodiah5]

GREAT INFO!!! Thx! Occy has a smaller one called the Bullseye! For smaller waves so he has a complete set up.

[@hounddog7256]

Good "down to earth" summary, no "fluff"... 👍

[@shaunjej1855]

Thanks for the reply. really appreciate it.

[@zeribeiroallez]

Really nice review. I also have both models and it’s 100% like you’re describing. Both boards are easy paddlers and easy to ride. And the transitioning between them comes very naturally. Up to 4/5 foot the Dominator goes insane once it gets a bit more pushier becomes a bit hard to hold. That’s when the Raging Bull comes in. My dims: Dominator 2 - 6’0 34,9 L, Raging Bull 6’1 34,2L, I’m 46 and 88/90 kg.

[@raggaroaringsound]

how is it duck divingthe raging bull at 34.2 liters?

[@zeribeiroallez]

It’s a shortboard it has a narrow nose. No worrie at all.

[@Carkshark]

"It'd be great to have some surfing footage of either, but my wife is not that patient." Hahaha that is so relatable.

[@johnf.meskiel8231]

You are describing what I am going through now, 54 y/o and still aggro but struggling on design per conditions. TY for the straight forward brief. Paddling out on my new 5’10” 33 ltr Bullseye tomorrow…Yeew!💪

[@shaunjej1855]

Hope you get some great waves. I am still enjoying mine.

[@johnf.meskiel8231]

Shaun Jej, 3 really fun sessions in 2’ to 4’ solid windswell yesterday and today. Lovin the volume, made fast work on fat sections and had some speed! Set up as a thruster right now. Also, so easy to paddle I’m 5’10” and 188 lbs. stay healthy!🤙🏾

[@palesomim4306]

Cheers boys! 54 here and still riding the small boards. 509 to 6’ as my dailys

[@jodiah5]

I’m going through the exact same thing!!! Just got back into surfing and ENJOYING it! Looking for a new board to replace my Dahlberg I got in 06!!!

[@mrmr314]

Put larger and stiffer fins as a thruster setup in the Dominator 2 if you are sliding out. It is EPS so it will be more "floaty" than the JS Raging Bull in PU of course. Reality is at just 80kg you shouldn't be sliding out on 6'1" and 6'3" boards.

[@josealfonsodelreal1885]

Yep amazing review both boards are sick! I have myself a raging bull and two FW and i absolutely love em. I think the skatiness you mentioned comes from the fact that the FW dominatorII is epoxy and has a flatter deck with fuller rails. In the other hand the raging bull has more curve and is a PU which settles better on cuppier waves with punch. I wouldn’t take the Raging bull on a weaker wave thou

[@skeres01]

I have the Dominator 2 also as a quad with a Pyzel Ghost custom for the bigger waves. For smaller waves the Dominator is the best board I've owned, but I haven't ridden it in anything big enough for it to slide out. I'm almost 50, about 80kg riding a 5'11 with large leading and medium trail quad fins. Good to hear the positive vibes on the board and thanks for the review.

[@shaunjej1855]

Thanks for the comments. Yep the Dominator is a great board; one of the best I've ridden. I wonder if i need bigger fins for those bigger days? The Bull is servig me well so pretty happy..

[@skeres01]

@@shaunjej1855 It's worth a try using bigger fins, but as you probably already know, once the waves get bigger and the board is moving faster, the bigger fins may have too much lift and cause the same issue. I ride the Ghost with smaller fins and it's great in bigger waves, but the tail design is very different to the Dominator 2.

[@flat184]

Great review, down to earth, really useful info

[@shaunjej1855]

Cheers flat. Much appreciated.

[@mattsillar]

Love the wax job Shauno.

[@robertjovanovski9258]

I have been looking at both boards. Appreciate your info.thanks

[@shaunjej1855]

Nice one. Thanks Robert. I'd definitely go the Dominator, but obviously a personal preference. I really enjoy that board and I have a few mates who like theirs now since they bought them.

[@JK-qi4ni]

Cheers mate. Great info

[@shaunjej1855]

Thanks JK. I appreciate it.

[@DavePetschack]

I appreciate the review, I am looking at the Raging Bull. Having custom shaped Mark Rabbidge boards for years, I am looking for something differnet for a change. I was really interested in your feedback on the difference between these 2 boards when you had a bit of juice in the waves. I think I'll give the Raging Bull a crack.

[@darrensmith9182]

Man those raging bulls are super nice boards im using the js shaper template fins, large ,shit yeah

[@bushkey]

if I did a video describing me and where I am at in my surfing, i'm exactly same place. I'm 52 with back and shoulder problems that has always rode performance short boards my whole life and now I need more foam but still want performance I have the Raging Bull and here because i am interested in the Dominator 2. thank you for this video. cheers!

[@shaunjej1855]

Thanks Aaron. It sucks getting older. The things we used to be able to do. I'm going to the Maldives soon and just hoping I can get two surfs a day in, whereas ten years ago it was four lots of two hour surfs a day!! Thanks for leaving the comments. Shaun

[@bushkey]

@@shaunjej1855 I just got back from Tavarua Surfing good size Cloudbreak, and surfing two sessions a day was a lot harder on my body this Trip compared to my younger days for sure. I don’t know how Slater does it Haha.

[@whoami4839]

Haha spotted ya at graveyards on the raging bull your back hand cuttys were holding nice

[@shaunjej1855]

Classic. Cheers. Feel like a goose putting this up but Covid made me do it!

[@andrewwood4013]

Thanks 🤙

[@marcelguarachi]

You and i are in the same boat! I’m 48 and have been surfing since 1987. My wave count has become super low and I need some new [more floaty} boards, I’m super interested in the dominator

[@shaunjej1855]

yep that dominator is a favourite. even the raging bull rarely gets taken out these days.

[@paulcattran1276]

I'm 49 had each shoulder operated on and find McCoy nuggets go really well. Do you see many people riding them over there. Great review by the way

[@shaunjej1855]

One of my good friends rides a McCoy and he loves it. If you search for "not the real Mccoy" on you tube you will see his daily surf check. watching an old dude riding an electric skateboard is great. Thanks for the comments mate. Have a great one.

[@333cgs333]

Thx for the review mate. What find you using for the raging bull?

[@jackdupree6491]

Great review, refreshing to get a real perspective. At the age of 50 paddle speed and wave catching are big factors for me. I am about to pull the trigger on a 6'3 Raging Bull. No board is magic but I need something that will handle decent size but is also easy to paddle and catch waves with when there is a lot of current. Do you find it to be a strong paddler and easy to catch waves with? Thanks

[@shaunjej1855]

G'day jack. I find the dominator easier to catch waves with, but depending on what you are currently riding the extra volume works well for me. I found mine went a little straight sometimes and ended up putting smaller fins in it than what I usually would. Just a handy tip in case you find the same. I'm also looking at the seaside and beyond to really up my wave count. I hear lots of good things about it.

[@jackdupree6491]

@@shaunjej1855 Thanks Shaun that helps a bunch. I am looking at the Raging Bull for grunty beach break so paddling and hold are the priorities. I am going to give it a try,. I have noticed the Seaside as well, I have seen some rippers on them. If I didn't already have too many grovelers in my garage I would grab one. Thanks again for the review and the feedback.

[@shaunjej1855]

@@jackdupree6491 Yep. Love mine. Enjoy!

[@gilliamm.5732]

Thanks!

[@danielgarrett8356]

Hey Shaun, I’m another 50yo, decent surfer. You mentioned you’ve had a Cymatic previously. Can I ask how does the Dominator 2 compare? And how does the Dom 2 go on your backhand, I’d be riding it a lot at my local beachy which can get pretty good but it’s mostly on my backhand, and I found the Cymatic struggles in bigger backside waves. Cheers Dan

[@shaunjej1855]

G'day Daniel. I really enjoyed my cymatic, but I just found it wasn't as forgiving as the Dominator. The dominator covers more different waves including rubbish onshore slop. I found the cymatic only liked it when it was clean and offshore. I definitely find the Dominator easier to ride.

[@danielgarrett8356]

@@shaunjej1855 Thanks Shaun, I feel like I do some of my best surfing on my Cymatic but agree it has a limited wave range and I don’t ride it very often. How’s the dom2 go on your backhand? Dan

[@shaunjej1855]

@@danielgarrett8356 . Occasionally a little bit slidey.....but to be honest I feel it makes me look better than I am!! People think I am doing it deliberately!!

[@shaunjej1855]

G'day Daniel. Sorry as I have only just seen this. I found the cymatic very twitchy compared to the dominator. I much prefer the dominator. Saying as much I'd have no hesitations buying another cymatic, but I'd go a few inches bigger than what I would normally ride, just to give it some stability.

[@rgibson759]

I’m looking at both of these boards but can only choose one. Which of these two have you used more of, and had more fun on since posting this video mate?

[@shaunjej1855]

Dominator. Hands down easy choice.

[@rgibson759]

@@shaunjej1855 thanks mate. Is your view unchanged since posting the video on the type of surf you found it comfortable and fun in?

[@shaunjej1855]

@@rgibson759 I actually sold the Bull. Still love the dominator. Fins are really important though. I changed the fins and it changed the board dramatically. Also watch out because some of the boards go pink.

[@rgibson759]

@@shaunjej1855 thanks mate, really appreciate it :)

[@NCsurfer607]

Noel Salas quad set been best fin’s I’ve tried in the D2.0

[@timothyjones3260]

Hey mate ,thanks for the review , what fins were you using on the RB.

[@shaunjej1855]

G'day Timothy. I'm using FCS II large carvers that I had on my Tomo Vader. Seem to go OK. Thinking of trying it as a quad fin on smaller days.

[@timothyjones3260]

Awesome thanks , like your work,enjoy the laid-back review style.

[@alexanderryrie350]

Great review. What's your recommendation for fin setup on the Dominator?

[@shaunjej1855]

I can't tell you how much the fins affect this board. I had large FCS II fins in it as a quad. Great board. Lost the rear quads and put in medium FCS fins I had lying around and what a slippery, slidey piece of rubbish. My mates were cracking up at how bad I was. Bought a new set of FCS II large rears and am now back in business (though I'm still average!!). Keep in mind I'm 85kgs. In small days I ride it as a thruster with a small rear fin as a stabiliser.

[@alexanderryrie350]

Thanks mate, great to know - appreciated!

[@raggaroaringsound]

How was the raging bull to duck dive? Im 90 kilos and looking at a slightly used 6'0 at 32.7 liters. At 51 I may want to go with a little more float.

[@shaunjej1855]

You are about the same as me. You could get away with a little bit more.

[@gilliamm.5732]

Thoughts on the Cymatic?!?!

[@shaunjej1855]

G'day Gilliam. Loved the Cymatic. I had some absolutely smooth and fun rides on that thing over three years. I found it very highly strung though and unforgiving. Where I can make a mistake on the Dominator and still keep going the Cymatic would throw me off. If I had to choose, it is the Dominator by far. If I got another Cymatic I'd go up extra litres than what I would normally ride. Curious to hear what you think.

[@doctorross1470]

My wife’s not that patient either. Cheaper to keep her though so I can buy more boards 😂😂😂😂

[@DarknessYT2010]

What you weigh mate ? lot of ltrs your riding and length you could come down a bit ?

[@shaunjej1855]

G'day Green. If I was ten years younger I certainly would go down in size. maybe a 5"10'. But all of my boards I've had to go more litres so I can just get on the waves! I hover between 82-85kg.