Semi Raw Footage of Firewire 5'2 Machadocado Surfboard

[@TheSurferYoda]

Looks like a fun groveller. Some days better than others, wave wise, but you make it look easy any day.

[@mocean365]

You looked great on this one buddy! Very good turn to turn looked very fast! Like a snowboard. Electric comes to mind. Loving mine so far too. 5 sessions in. There is something to this board unique.

[@leighrosendahl2734]

Nice footage! Think the Cado is more a daily driver that can grovel as wel. Like to see it in better waves and how it performs in its top wave range. Reminds me somehow of the baked potato/puddle jumper.

[@trestlesrocks]

@@leighrosendahl2734 exactly right. I think seeing it in some better conditions will better highlight its design strengths.

[@trestlesrocks]

I just picked up a set of the Kraken fins from NVS to try. But I got the convertible version which sets the side fins 3/4" back closer to the tail. My thought being that it would make them work better as a true twin. The side fin placement is about 1 inch closer to the tail than a standard thruster. But still a bit forward compared to a true twin. Hence the suggestion to ride it as a 2+1. Rob gets around that with his twin fins because they're a keel design so he has more fin area further back on the board. Anyhow, thought l'd share, haven't tried them yet.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I'll post some pictures on my Community Page, I did a visual measurement of what you are talking about. But you are exactly right. Definitely designed as a 2+1 and not a true Twin, something like the Too Fish. thanks for the input. Cheers

[@trestlesrocks]

@@ThomyeSurfs ya, trailing edge for a thruster is typically around 11 inches from the tail. True twin is usually 8-9 inches from the tail. Cado is 10 inches. The convertible Krackens place the trailing edge at 9 inches and Robs Keels end up 8 inches from the tail. Which for a keel is a little forward so I think his keels would actually work extremely well and not be tracky like many keel finned board can be. So think something like the convertible Kracken for a more upright performance twin feel or his keels would be excellent alternatives to the standard 2+1 configuration. 2+1 is probably optimal for running the Cado in steeper or overhead surf.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@trestlesrocks great info. Yeah, i found the rob keels a tad sticky on the Too Fish so maybe I'll try it in the Cado. :)

[@trestlesrocks]

@@ThomyeSurfs just went and watched your Too Fish vids. Your surfing on that design is excellent. It really compliments your surfing style. Makes me want to try a Too Fish, but I think it’d be great to see you surf the Cado in similar conditions as you had on the Too Fish.

[@10SNE1]

Looking forward to your full review and fin preference. I’m 510 180, running 5’6” with Knox twin+trailer, hasn’t quite blown my mind yet. Might need some better surf.

[@trestlesrocks]

@@10SNE1 running the 5’6” as a true twin with the EN template fins and it’s magic.

[@10SNE1]

@@trestlesrocks thanks I’ll try them next session!

[@trestlesrocks]

@@10SNE1 Noel Salas’ HP twins go really good as well.

[@10SNE1]

@@trestlesrocks you got me lookin at those HP twins. Do you think they’re better than the EN’s?

[@trestlesrocks]

@@10SNE1 can’t say better, just different. The HP twins are a little bit bigger so not as loose as the EN. But they’re still upright rather than raked so they pivot well. Just a little more traction than the EN but not as much as a Keel

[@trestlesrocks]

Haven’t tried it yet, but I’m going to try it out with Rob’s thruster pivot keels that he made for the Glazer. Might work well with so much tail area.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

definitely let us know. My friend told me I could borrow his board again for another fin test.

[@trestlesrocks]

@@ThomyeSurfs I hope you get to try it it some better conditions. In your video there’s one wave in particular that was slightly bigger and you can see the board really comes to life with a little more push.

[@nduich]

Looking good. I’ve found mine to be an incredible groveler. Catches everything even tho it’s my lowest volume board. (Had to drop a size because 5’10” felt waaay too big. ) 5’8” feels just right for me at 205Lbs. Confident on it even if it get a little bigger and punchy.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

i'm between sizes on mine :(. I wish they had a 5'3 at 27.5L. This 5'2 is pretty close though, 26.8L. But a tad more length would be helpful. I my legs hang off so much on this board that it levels out when I'm about to catch a wave, won't lean forward. 5'4 would likely be better as well. all in all, agreed that it grovels well.

[@terenceingram7786]

Verdict about in between size problem? For me 5'8 is like a smidge more than my regular volume, but 37 L for the 5'10 is like one of my smaller mid length volume. Kinda stuck as I am over paddling very short boards.

[@nduich]

@@terenceingram7786 I usually ride 36 L and started with the 5’10” but it felt so wide and cumbersome. The 5’8” feels just right to me.

[@trestlesrocks]

I got the 5’8” and immediately felt it was too wide so went down to the 5’6”. I’m 6’0” 195lbs.

[@madscientistdan]

Glad to see a review is coming. Unfortunately I sold my 5'2 Sweet Potato 2 thinking I need to get the Machadocado. I found the SW2 difficult to turn with all the volume it had. I'm 5'9 160 lbs. I got confused about the Machadocado's ability to be an uber groveler the way Jackson Dorian surfed it in small waves and with Machado himself saying if its small and mushy he'll use the Machadocado but if its good out he'll use the Mashup. It seems some consensus in the comments is this is more a daily driver. I thought the Mashup was supposed to be the daily driver! Is there much overlap? I can imagine for much mushier waves the Machadocado will excel with flatter rocker. I'm thinking to hold off on the Machadocado and maybe scope out a puddle jumper or something for uber groveling but with more performance than the SW2. It would be cool if there was a helium version of the Twice Baked. I'm now confused on what my quiver should look like. I have the 5'4 Mashup, and a 5'6 Dominator 2 (with 28L volume) but haven't ridden it yet. Wonder if the Dominator is too much volume and needs to go and keep the Mashup for most waves under head high and something different for overhead waves. Perhaps I should also consider something for uber groveling.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

There is definitely overlap. The Mashup with its narrower tail and narrower wide point has a higher ceiling for performance. After riding the Cado, my best take on it is if the Seaside sat between the SP2 and the Mashup, then the Cado sits between the seaside and the Mashup. The one I rode is not in their stock list, it is actually very similar to the 5'2 stock Seaside. So my comparison might be a tad skewed. My test board is a one off. As an FYI, volume should be used as a reference for buoyancy and nothing more. It is good to help determine how it might paddle but it will not factor in as much as design for catching waves and surfing. Here is an example, if you had a 1 foot wide board that was 6 feet long and had 30L. That would not catch smaller weaker waves better than a 2 foot wide board that was only 5' long and thin. The planing surface is bigger. Although both might paddle around the same, maybe the 6' narrow board paddles a tad faster, when it comes to catching waves, the shorter board will do much better. You also have to factor in rocker as well but let's just say those are the same. A very good example of this is a skim board. It has no vol but is wide and when the skim boarder needs to travel, they turn their board sideways so that they have more planing surface. They go from a 2' wide board to a 3' wide board but just turning it. Don't get me wrong, vol helps especially if the difference in vol is huge but if the boards have similar vol ( 1 to 2 L difference) it does not factor as much as people think. Design of the board becomes super important. So going back to my initial comparison, the Cado sits between the seaside and the Mashup. The seaside is more user friendly and better for intermediate surfers. The Cado seems to want your feet in a specific spot due to the wide tail. One thing is for certain, the Cado is not an Uber groveler. It should not be compared to the SP2 or the Twice Baked. It is a good groveler with performance features. Closest to the Seaside.

[@madscientistdan]

@@ThomyeSurfs thanks good to know your thoughts on this! I'd have to say overlap is a bit frustrating for some folks due to how expensive boards are so its always nice to avoid it if possible. For instance, owning the mashup already I don't think I want a Machadocado anymore after some of the comments I'm reading, but maybe a more refined version of the SP2 but not too refined would work well for the uber grovel with more performance, perhaps a twice baked in helium in 5'2? For the Dominator 2.0 in 5'6 with 28L volume, I guess I'll have to try it out and see how it goes. I read some folks said its ok to go up in volume with that board because of its design. On paper I would go for a 5'4 based on volume but I found the 5'6 used and decided I wanted to have it for testing. What's a good uber grovel that you know of that has a little more performance than the SP2 or does that not really exist?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@madscientistdan as an FYI, when i said the Cado is between the Seaside and Mashup but closer to the seaside, not dead center. just a different feel.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@madscientistdan it's tough but as I said to someone else, try not to think of it as better or worse, rather different. a squash has a different feel than swallow. Quads different from twin+1. Bottom line, this board would be closer to the seaside but different. Me personally, I know I like swallow tails so in my case, I'd stick with the Seaside. lastly, imagine if you didn't own any firewires and decided you wanted one. Although having so many overlapping choices is frustrating, having those options as a first time buyer, is huge. :)

[@TravisVarga]

Alrighty and I thought the sessions for my review were ‘poor conditions’ lol. JK - after Day 1, looked like the conditions def improved and by Day 4 it was kinda going off. Great surfing and I like how you ride the board - by Day 4 it appeared to really click esp with those fins. It did seem like your bottom turns got solid power from the Machado 2 plus 1’s which looked fun (kinda like the little extra hold) while the Krakens still give you push it’s just more of a jolt - suits your style tho and helps with more 360s. The Knox’s looked sick too - drive and speed. I wanna try those. And did i see a basically landed backside air? You’re crazy

[@ThomyeSurfs]

the worst part about it is that it was over a span of 4 weekends. LOL I think there have been a couple of ok days during the week, but I usually can't surf during the week. :(

[@migsy3302]

Hi Thomye, great footage brother, very similar condition to where I surf often. Could you please do a small breakdown here if possible? How's does the Machadocado compares to the Bobby Quad? Take off, catching waves ability, drive, speed, relise, flat sections 🧐🔬 I think the Bobby Quad looks a little bit more performance and responsive on your last video with micro waves in it. I really appreciate your hard work putting this content out there for all as stoked kook 😅 Thank you so much again Sir 🙌🏼🤙🏼👍🏼

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Cado and BQ Paddling - about the same Catching waves - BQ by a hair Take off - BQ, Cado has an odd drag, maybe too short for me with the thin tail. Drive - Cado Speed - about the same, maybe Cado by a hair, can't remember other than footage. Release - quad by design but depends on fins too Flat sections - Cado from what I can remember

[@migsy3302]

​@@ThomyeSurfsThank you so much for the break down my friend. Seems BQ will work at little better for me, because I could go bigger than 6'2" which it's the Cado limiti and B.Q. goes up to 6'6" on sizes. I'm bigger guy 6'0" 98Kgs or 216Lbs. Shame Firewire don't male the Cado in bigger sizes. The have upsized the White Shark up to 6'6" which it's great. Hopefully they'll do the same here. Thank again and much appreciated your quick reply, big fan of your content. Keep it up legend.

[@fredriksalmen5159]

Cool review! I'm still looking at what to get, I think I lean towards the 5'8" SP2 now for my 5'8" 220lbs. It has over 41L so should flot me fine, just worried it won't turn as well, but I guess when being so heavy as I am I should focus on catching tons of wavws first. I was aiming at the 5'6" at first, but seems a bit on the low side in terms of volume 🤔 At 180lbs, the 5'3" Baked Potato at 32.4L was amazing. I think the Machadocado is not as great groveler as the potato series? Seems also to be designed for lighter surfers (as Rob himself)?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

agreed, the cado definitely isn't an uber groveler. Nothing beats the potato line for that.

[@surfingtipsandtricks]

Nice! You're ripping and getting loads of speed on it! Looks better towards the end when you're not forcing it so much?😀🤙

[@jonasakyildiz6494]

Very curious to hear your thoughts if this board grovels better than the seaside!

[@ThomyeSurfs]

at the same liters, very similar, at the same length, seaside grovels better.

[@Craig-t2g]

Looking forward to the full review. Are you going to compare it to the Seaside and Too Fish, maybe even the Mashup, in your full review? Think all of these boards still need a decent little waves to go well in. Even the junky'er waves Machado is surfing in have some good push to them and look super fun. Although the clip with Jackson Dorian was in super small little junky waves.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I may do a comparison video after the full review.

[@leighrosendahl2734]

I think that would be very helpful to the community!

[@SooieSurfs]

Hi Thomye, have you seen Noel’s AIPA supernova? He said it’s the fastest board he’s ever ridden. Since you seem to like performance-oriented grovellers (like the mashup), I thought you’d for sure be interested in it. A review of that board from your perspective would be awesome.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

cost is a factor. I have been either demo'ing, borrowing, or buying used to keep my expenses down. I'm definitely interested in the board but have to wait for it to land on my lap for me to review it.

[@SooieSurfs]

@@ThomyeSurfsCompletely understandable. Thanks for the reply!

[@ThePokersurfer]

Your last seesion looked the best ....... the more i watch the more i think it needs some juice to really shine kinda like the Cymatic and Hypno so not a TRUE groveler per se like the Potatonater line ....... Rob rode it as a twin and it looked the best, try it next time?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

agreed. The last two days, Day 3 and Day 4, I had the same front fins, NVS Krakens. Day 3 however, I had the machado trailer from his 2+1 set. They are bigger. Then Day 4, the last day, I hand the NVS trailer and that combo felt the best. The Machado fins are good, but the back fins feels a tad big and makes the board feel more like a thruster. Still a great set, I did my best turn on it today. Laid into it.

[@ThePokersurfer]

@@ThomyeSurfs I would experiment with k2.1 thrusters and a twin of some sort

[@ThePokersurfer]

Much overlooked fins in modern day are the original Slater templates ....... SO magical!

[@trestlesrocks]

@@ThePokersurfer basically the FCS reactor template now

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@trestlesrocks Also the NVS Peregrine fins if you want to save a little money.

[@alexandreprestes2987]

Could u do a video comparing with Seaside plz?

[@ThomyeSurfs]

to me these two boards are so different not sure a comparison is fair. Also, I surfed a 5'3 seaside and this 5'2 Cado is a one off. It's 26.8L and not 25.9L Anyways, I'll see if I can make a video. In a nutshell though, the paddle about the same if in the same liters, they catch waves about the same, it's the way they feel that is different. Surfability is about the same but how it feels on your back foot is the only different I can tell. The seaside is user friendly and loose. Drivey on the front foot but on the back foot, it gets nice as swivelly. The Cado, feels super stable and locked in. It is harder to get up and going but once you get going, it goes fast. the Seaside turns tighter the cado wider. both are easy to turn but the Cado requires your back foot be way back to get the maneuverability. Seaside is a tad more forgiving. you can turn from the front fins, maybe cuz it's a quad and the tail is more pulled in.

[@ChristopherLara]

Great footage and looking forward to the review! Now that you've ridden the 5'2 Machadocado and the Too Fish, which of the two would you pick as a Bolsa Chica daily driver? And I ask the question as a 'weekend warrior' surfing Bolsa in mostly gutless 2-3' conditions :)

[@bob33932]

Hi Thomye, can you do Boss Up review please

[@ThomyeSurfs]

If I can get a hold of one, I'll definitely try. I had it lined up with a friend but I have not heard from him in months. :(

[@surfininmy40s]

Yes pls let us know if you can why someone should pick this board over the seaside. I just don’t see it. If someone has funds to only buy one board, in my eyes I’m picking the seaside 🤙🏾

[@ThomyeSurfs]

agreed. The seaside is the most user friendly board I've ever surfed. It seems to generally work for all and work in all sizes for some odd reason. I've surfed a 5'2 all the way up to a 6'0 and although they get a bit more sluggish in response as it gets bigger, they still surf well. for me boards are not about better or worse, I think they are more about different. like a too fish, is super fun but so different from the mashup, having both could really help with progression cuz they focus on different characteristics. The Cado is sleek so likely surfs better in bigger waves, can't really say quite yet. I need to get hold of a 5'2 seaside to be able to compare though.

[@radfro77]

Being that you demo'd a 5'2" Sweet Potato 2 back in the day, for just a second, they looked super similar. Sweet Pot has 5-6 more liters at the same size, but curious how you compare (if you even remember the SP2)

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Totally different. The SP2 is an Uber groveler. It's strengths are paddling and catching waves that have no energy. However the maneuverability was tougher because it's such a bigger board. The cado doesn't grovel as well at the same size in terms of paddling and catching waves. However surfing it's far more superior in terms of maneuverability, response, and pretty much everything else across the board. If your wave is weak and small with very little push then the SP2 is it better option. If your wave has more push and you're looking to have a little bit more performance but still have a touch of grovel, cado. Hope that helps

[@radfro77]

@@ThomyeSurfs for sure, thanks dude. I had an SP2, and while it was super fun, and got into our horrid east coast waves, it was SO wide and beefy that I just never really loved it, so I sold it. The Cado has me interested for sure...has some Puddle Jumper (Lost) vibes, or even JS flamefish, but with a super thin tail like the seaside, too fish and mashup, which i dig.

[@lvoffice6939]

100 board guy chiming in. To me, Cado is not a quick board although once moving is fast. Seaside is quick & fast. Needs a mushy wave. Does not like closeouts. Does not like to be flat (wants rail action) once it starts moving. I find it sticky in cuppy (in the pocket) waves. Very similar in ride to Fling ( think Fling better overall). If not up to speed it will bog on me if I trim off front foot. HOWEVER, ez paddler for me (i know you said Seaside is better I think Cado has edge). Will go vertical like Mashup. Love it in ankle slappers that peel. I found riding like: Hypto, Mod 2, Quiver Killer helps (let the nose up a little before turning). It does floaters (especially foam climbs) w the best of them. Rank: Seaside #1, Mashup #2, Cado #3 (Mashup would be #1 if I surfed better waves).

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I personally don't like to rate boards as better or worse, sometimes I have to but for the most part, I just like to say they are different. Seaside and Cado are too different to compare. I now know from conversations with so many surfers, surfing is super subjective. What I tend to like, my buddy at the same skill, hates. I like tight drivey boards, he likes loose swively boards. Anyways, I don't think the Seaside is better, I think it is more user friendly in general. The Cado for me falls in between the Seaside and Mashup in terms of surfability, leaning closer to seaside, again, all subjective. Mashup has a higher ceiling for waves and performance. For me, Mashup is my favorite with the seaside and cado in second, they are tied for me, they surf to different to compare but they seem to paddle similarly, catch waves about the same, and surfing, they are different.

[@lvoffice6939]

@@ThomyeSurfs Agree 100%. Thanks for showing every wave. Really helps me learn!

[@Crusifizerr]

Nice footage! Would you recommend this board for an advanced-beginner looking to step down from 7'8 Egg shape for more radical surfing in poor, knee to shoulder height conditions? I've tried a friend's 6'1 Seaside (46.5L) and it felt really nice and easy to pop up and catch waves, even with bad positioning. It also held really well in onshore, choppy conditions and close-outs. But the 6'0 Cado (40.1L) is currently discounted at 700€ in my local shop (while Seaside and Sweet Potato are at 870€). Thanks!

[@ThomyeSurfs]

the cost makes it seem worth it. at the longer length, the board will be stable enough, I think it would be a great option. if you take your weight and divide it by 5, it should give you the smallest volume you should be on at your stage of surfing. For example, I'm 145, so for my it would be 29L at the least. Bigger is better at this stage, the more time you spend on your feet, the more progression you will have. Start there and let me know.

[@Crusifizerr]

​@@ThomyeSurfsThanks a lot for your help! I will let you know as soon I grab one and test it a few times!

[@trestlesrocks]

Everyone says it’s an Uber groveler, but I think it better suited as a daily driver. Shines in chest to head high surf

[@Spider2029]

I agree. Considering the overall dimensions across the range, it seems quite obvious that the Cado needs a bit of wave to work well.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

Agree, I would put it in between a daily and uber actually, as a good groveler but I found it harder to catch waves than my seaside, mashup, and in terms of paddling and catching waves, the SP2/Twice Baked is much easier. by huge margins but in all fairness, I'm surfing them 5 L more. It does have a unique feel, once up, it goes fast

[@trestlesrocks]

@@ThomyeSurfs that’s fair. I don’t really surf less than waist high so for the waist to head high days it’s become my daily driver. I works surprisingly well even with a bit of steepness. My regular shorty comes out shoulder high and above if it’s good conditions. But nice to have a little “groveler” that can handle some good conditions to mix things up depending on my mood. A 5’6” Cado and a 6’2” round tail performance shorty has is becoming an awesome 2 board quiver for SoCal.

[@trestlesrocks]

@@Spider2029 yes, I think Rob basically took the sweet potato as inspiration and made a more refined high performance version of it for better conditions, higher ability and or lighter surfers

[@MikeOno-h8d]

Machadocado or Too fish??

[@ThomyeSurfs]

let me preface by saying my choice is not indicative of how the boards surf. Rather, it's a choice I'm making based on how I like certain boards to feel which is highly subjective. For me, the Cado sits sort of in between the seaside and mashup, but leans more heavily towards the Seaside. The Cado has similar vol to length ratios as the Seaside but it surfs a little less fishy. The Cado requires you to surf it a certain way with your foot to the back as far as it will go, likely cuz of the wide tail. I did some really good turns on that board so I do really like the Cado, however, I would like pick the Too Fish because it is a true Twin Fish, very retro with modern parts. The Cado because it is similar to the Seaside and Mashup, I would pick those two over the Cado. So ideally, I'd rather have a Mashup and a Too Fish for a fuller quiver. Here is a visual scale: (Fishy) Too Fish-----------------------Seaside------------Cado-------------------------------Mashup (more performance groveler) Hope that is making sense.

[@TravisVarga]

@@ThomyeSurfs Great breakdown right there, thanks

[@freedom_Jesus]

The Evo to me is step above this one

[@ThomyeSurfs]

the boards have similar outlines but agreed, the Evo is much narrower making it a better performance board with grovel features. Where as I put the Cado in the category of groveler with performance features. subtle but different. I guess if you do like the Evo as a daily, then the Cado might make a perfect groveler.

[@onshore1ft]

Hate to say it but it looked a little stiff and slow. I think that wide tail and straight outline makes it difficult. You looked better on your old twice baked.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

it has a very interesting feel and does something that only one other board I've owned does. I'll try and mention that in my full review.

[@zuma3334]

I believe the twice baked is the best true groveler out there when it’s 1 foot. Hard to beat

[@ThePokersurfer]

Noel rides his as a twin in his latest video ....... check it ou!

[@ThomyeSurfs]

I saw that, it was slipping a bit. My feat is I'm so heavy front foot, I may have issues. I'll give it a go though, I loved the GWT as a twin only no stabilizer. Maybe this board will surprise me. :)

[@ThePokersurfer]

@@ThomyeSurfs yeah please let me know how it goes! Bushman Flow with glassed on keels guarantee or your money back lol .......

[@ThePokersurfer]

@ThomyeSurfs @ThomyeSurfs let me know how it goes! Bushman Flow starting $565 fiberglass glassed on keels add 175 ........ not trying to spam but man that board still the best EVER for me! Basically the best of both worlds ...... th ultimate high performance twin, may not look like it aestiticallly, but it goes every which way but loose!