Firewire Dominator 2 - Interview With Shaper Dan Mann 🏄‍♂️ | Stoked For Travel

Thinking about getting a Firewire Dominator 2?
I caught up with shaper Dan Mann to find out more about this epic design that has become my go to shortboard!
Since getting my hands on the Firewire Dominator 2 a few months back I've been totally hooked, and it's quickly become my go to shortboard.
It's the perfect surfboard for intermediate surfers right through to experts - with plenty of paddle power, performance and ability to use it in a huge variety of waves too.
And I was stoked to be able to catch up with the shaper behind the board - Dan Mann - via Zoom and chat more about the board design, how it differs from the original Firewire Dominator and get a bit more insight into how it came about.
So if you're eyeing up a new surfboard and want to know more about the Dominator 2.0, grab a cold beer and see what Dan Mann has to say!
✅ Fin setups
✅ What's new with the Dominator 2
✅ Surfers dropping epic clips on the D2
✅ The evolution of the design
✅ Who it's aimed at
✅ The optimum waves for the board
⬇️ Read my full review here ⬇️
www.stokedfortravel.com/revie...
⬇️ Check out all my surf blogs here ⬇️
www.stokedfortravel.com/categ...
Chapters:
0:00 Dominator 2 - Interview With Shaper Dan Mann
0:43 The Original Dominator
3:20 What's New?
6:10 Round Tail v Squash
10:38 Fin Setups
13:25 Wave Types
14:35 Skill Level
17:00 vs Hypto, Phoenix & Puddle Jumper
19:55 Comparison With Other MannKine Shapes
21:55 Surfers Shredding On The D2
23:51 What's Next?
📷 MY CAMERA GEAR 📷
DJI Osmo Pocket - amzn.to/2F7INjt
DJI Mavic Air 2 - amzn.to/2ZKGBK2
GoPro Hero 9 - amzn.to/3cFhs7K
Rode Wireless Go - amzn.to/2UMnPh1
Rode Lavalier Go - amzn.to/2UraSdD
GoPro MAX - amzn.to/2rI0nqF
Sony A6300 - amzn.to/37WIWmA
Sony 200mm Lens - amzn.to/37Wpqa4
Get unlimited music for videos here ➡️ soundstripe.com?fpr=stokedfortravel
Editing: Final Cut Pro X
★SUBSCRIBE: Don't Miss Any Of The Travel Goodness! ★
bit.ly/StokedForTravel
▬ FOLLOW ME! ▬
✩ Blog: www.StokedForTravel.com and www.BackpackerBanter.com
✩ Facebook: / stokedfortravel
✩ Instagram: / stokedfortravel
✩ Twitter: / stokedfortravel
▬ ABOUT ▬
I’m Chris - award winning travel blogger, surfer, photographer and ocean lover originally from Devon in the UK. Since 2009 I've been bouncing around the world sharing my adventures and providing reviews, advice and tips to help you plan your own adventure!
VISIT ➜ www.StokedForTravel.com

[@StokedForTravel]

⬇️ Read my full review of the Dominator 2 here: ⬇️ www.stokedfortravel.com/review-firewire-dominator-2/

[@dvk518]

Hi Chris! Cool interview with Dan Mann and the review of the dom2! I own this board. Only surfed it in thruster. I am intermediate, surf often. Tried a range of boards but I keep coming back to the dom 2 as my favourite for small - med beachbreaks here on the sth coast. Keen to try quad set up. Can you recommend a futures set? I run the dom 6..2, (83kg and 5’11) Appreciate your reviews!

[@StokedForTravel]

@@dvk518 Stoked you enjoyed the interview and review! And yeah the D2 is a super fun board hey? Quad setup is definitely my preferred (although twinny + trailer on smaller stuff is also fun), the Dan Mann ones are a really good match up (as you'd expect) but I'm also loving the new Rasta Quads set from Futures too. Let me know how you get on!

[@shanebaird543]

I have a 12 year old dominator that still rips. My go to small wave board. It has been a magic board. Definitely interested in a 2.0.

[@StokedForTravel]

Sounds like she’s done you proud!

[@marloliquigan4669]

Dann has everything surfboard around him,just look at his back left ,😁

[@StokedForTravel]

Place is full of surfing goodness 🤣

[@snowen1237]

There's not enough board videos out there like this so thank you! Definitely will be getting a Dominator 2 very soon..

[@StokedForTravel]

Now worries Snowen, stoked you like it! Let me know how you get on with the D2 🤙

[@robertobrunori9729]

Nice one. Please, can you tell if the height is measured as a straight line or along the bottom string? I like the more volume ideia, but the length can be a problem in smaller, mushier surf. Thx in advance.

[@pedropacheco1404]

Great interview! Dan talks about adding a bit extra volume to your normal range, in your review you also mentioned that (6'1 instead of 6'0). Do you think is something to look out for, trying to aim at bit higher volume? I know the principle of "foam is your friend" quite well, i'm just wondering if I should aim at the higher part of my volume range. Thanks a lot and keep it going!!

[@StokedForTravel]

Stoked you like the interview Pedro! Volume wise I'd say that's going to come down to you ability and also what you're surfing wave wise. If you're slightly less experienced a bit of extra volume could be a solid move, and if you're surfing smaller conditions it's also worth going that route. Personally I don't mind sacrificing a little performance for some extra paddle power!

[@jonathanpowell1673]

Hey Buddy, I have been riding a 6’4” Cymatic for the past 3 years(45.2 liters). I absolutely love it and have been wanting to try something else. I’ve been leaning towards the Dominator. What size would you recommend?.

[@StokedForTravel]

Hey Jonathan, good choice on the D2! Size wise I guess that comes down to how you are now finding the Cymatic volume wise and also your own weight/height/skill level. Let me know and I’ll see what could work best for you 🤙

[@peacepuffz]

That ironing board looks like it would go!

[@StokedForTravel]

Hahaha his next board release 😜

[@shanebaird543]

I am 5’10” and I my weight is around 175. I have been riding a 5’8” dominator for 12 years and have absolutely love it. It is my grovel board and I ride almost exclusively as a quad. I surf all over trestles and salt creek the most. My step up from the Dom is a 5’11” pyzalien in FST that I ride as a thruster. Looking at getting a dominator 2 in the future. Do you think staying at 5’8” is a good idea?

[@StokedForTravel]

Stoked you’ve been loving the original Dominator so much! I reckon unless you feel the need to size up/down for more performance or more float, sticking to the same length is a solid shout 🤙

[@dkilla01]

great video! I appreciate the discussion with Dan M

[@StokedForTravel]

Stoked you like it Miguel - he was great to chat with 🤙

[@StokedForTravel]

Stoked you like it Miguel - he was great to chat with 🤙

[@PainFreeOutdoors_]

This is my next board...great review! Transitioning off of my hypto.

[@StokedForTravel]

Stoked you like the review! You’ll love the D2 - let me know how it goes for you 🤙

[@PainFreeOutdoors_]

@@StokedForTravel How would you say the D2 differed from the hypto? I feel like Dan didn't give a clear response on that one.

[@StokedForTravel]

Personally I felt like the D2 has more release and turns waaaay better

[@PainFreeOutdoors_]

@@StokedForTravel I agree, I’ve been on my hypto for a couple years now and I feel like it’s so difficult to get good at carving turns on it. Too much volume forward.

[@StokedForTravel]

@@PainFreeOutdoors_ the D2 certainly pushed my turns a lot, I think you'll love it!

[@OUTDOORSWITHDOMINGO]

Nice Interview Dude 1 I am about to pick up a Dominator 6'10 that fell off a truck & needs repairs to fix and ride some bigger surf as a set up .

[@StokedForTravel]

Enjoy! 🤙

[@OUTDOORSWITHDOMINGO]

@@StokedForTravel Thanks Dude & This board def took a beating for falling off a truck and getting run over = 3 busted FCS plugs , buckled on the mid Top deck & some rail damage but the wood looks OK , thanks for posting this video for I learned a lot . ALoha !

[@adrianhawke1800]

Got me excited about getting one of these, if I can find one!!?? You say in the video that it floats 1-2 litres more than a PU. So your 6'1" is more like 37.5/38L?

[@StokedForTravel]

yeah I hear stock is pretty limited at the moment! The "floatiness" of epoxy comes a lot down to personal feel, but they certainly feel more corky to a lot of people - so it's like having a bit of extra volume underneath you but still surfing like a lower volume one, if that makes sense?

[@frederikdecoene8860]

Just receveid my new Dominator 2.0 6’8. (I’m a big guy….). Couldn’t try it yet but, damn, il surely looks good!

[@StokedForTravel]

I like you'll love it bro! Let me know how you get on with it!

[@klaiejah]

I have a 6’8 riding as a quad with a similar profile to the Machado seaside quads from project blank at a third of the price. Best board I’ve had for years by miles… goes in knee high and we’ll overhead. Love it!!!

[@frederikdecoene8860]

After a few months,here is a little feedback. I was riding a gamma 6’8, which I’m still using. The Dominator felt really stiff and I really had trouble turning it(as a thruster….). I got used to it after a few sessions, but it still felt stiff, compared to the Gamma. Positif points : really easy for take-off, and super fast. Ordered quad rear fins, and that changed my world. So much looser, way more reactive and the speed is still present. It’s definitly a great board, from 3 to 6’ waves.

[@sachaDS0]

@@frederikdecoene8860 Hey, If the thruster is stiff, have you tried a 2+1? Also and more importantly the leash plug is super far up on this board so you might want to put the traction pad waayyy back (cutting it with a razor blade even). This has been documented on the review by Noel Salas the GOAT. For the thruster to feel good you really need your back foot all the way back on the back fin. Hope it helps :)

[@MichaelJDay]

I demoed a 6'0 and 6'1 Dominator 2. I liked the 6.0 better because it felt more agile. I'm 86kg, (189lbs) 5'11. I would like to demo a 5'11 and make my decision.

[@StokedForTravel]

Good choice on getting a demo board under your feet Michael, definitely a good move if you can! For sure dropping down size and volume is going to up the performance side of things!

[@tezf6883]

I'm 6'2 86kg riding the 5'9 31.5L Dom 2 had two surfs on it and I'm loving it.

[@StokedForTravel]

@@tezf6883 glad to hear you're enjoying it Tez!

[@dkilla01]

Hey mate does the board ever get skatey and too lose In punchier surf?

[@StokedForTravel]

Hey Miguel! I can't say I've found it loose or skatey in bigger surf, the quads really tighten things up when it gets hollow, but it might feel a bit loose if you rode it as a 2+1 in bigger stuff

[@disvendy8309]

Im 6 ft tall and 74 kilos Wich size you recommend

[@StokedForTravel]

A lot of the sizing is going to come down to your skill level and the waves you surf. Something like the 5'9 or 5'10 would be a good shout if you want the most out of the perfformance. Perhaps even lower if you're comfortable with it

[@luigicasini9124]

best board behind him..😂

[@StokedForTravel]

Hahah 🤣 the joys of zoom interviews!

[@RaulEdu33]

Lol 🤣 It's the 5'5 Ironator from Target

[@luigicasini9124]

😂😂