Firewire Potato-Nator Surfboard Review - BCSurf.com 44 3

Reviews 12 years ago 20,541 views

Click link to view at http://www.BCSURF.com : http://www.bcsurf.com/firewire-potatonator-fst-series-surfboard-diamond-tail-39917.html http://www.bcsurf.com/firewire-potatonator-rapidfire-series-surfboard-diamond-tail-39938.html As the name implies, the POTATO-NATOR is the result of gene-splicing the SWEET POTATO and the DOMINATOR. With a longer rail line and less girth than the POTATO, and a slightly pulled in nose similar to the DOMINATOR, the POTATO-NATOR is meant to be ridden 4"-6" longer than a POTATO, and approx. 2" shorter than the DM. The double concaves are softer than the SWEET POTATO and while the overall rocker has been increased slightly to enhanced performance, the low entry rocker remains which makes paddling a breeze. Designed primarily for 2'-4' surf, the POTATO-NATOR will hold its own in 3'-5' as well. Fin placement is optimized to be ridden as a quad, but don't be afraid to throw in a small, knubby trailer fin to help this hybrid 4-finner come alive in new ways. Splice and dice it up! BC Surf & Sport carries a wide variety of products from all the hottest brands. Whether it's apparel, accessories, hardware or boards of all shapes and sizes, we've got you covered. Check out the products mentioned in this video and much more at our brand new www.BCSurf.com website!

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Michael O'Brien - 7 years ago

i just bought a 6' 40.2L potatonator, surfing 4-6ft waves but need to get my fitness up i think as I'm 6' and 88kgs. is this the better firewire for me as i wanted to go smaller...?

Bradley Trent - 6 years ago

Go smaller i'm 6' and same weight - riding the 5'8 set up as a quad - super loose and fun!

Steven Lake - 9 years ago

HI,
im 100kg usually ride a 6,4 flex fire and love it, I've tried gary mc nail JS and more but always come back to this,
I ride 2-4 waves max, which would be perfect for me. I'm just intermediate been surfing for 5 years

Thank you

Steven Lake - 9 years ago

the formula energy I sold because it had too much volume, it was custom made and it was shit, they thought just cos Im a big guy I needed lots of volume and i hated it

Ripped Dave - 10 years ago

this isnt a review... its like your trying to sell me it

Aan de Plas - 10 years ago

you think I could ride it single fin?

67 - 11 years ago

4"8

BC Surf And Sport - 11 years ago

Might have been the Sweet Potato, those come pretty small. I think the smallest they are making is 4"10

67 - 11 years ago

I saw a four fin fire wire an it was about 4 feet and i want to buy it but i cant find it on the internet

SurfTopics - 11 years ago

I'm trying to decide on what board is best for my day to day 2-6 ft surf. I'm 5'11" and weigh 215 lbs. Float is always an issue with production boards and to get it I end up with boards longer than I want and have the wrong shape for the mushier surf. I'm thinking a 6-2 potatonator or 6-4 dominator would work well for float. I want easy paddling fast board for the mushy stuff but be able to work the rails when I can. I'm an intermediate surfer in good shape. What do you recommend?

Chucky Young - 11 years ago

Hey thanks for the informative video. I've been torn between the baked potato and the potatonator. I originally was leaning towards the potatonator but still not sure. I surf in the east coast (Long Island and Rockaway NY area). I'm 5'5" 150lbs. I'm hoping for a good solid all around board for knee to shoulder high waves. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks

10. comment for Firewire Potato-Nator Surfboard Review - BCSurf.com

BC Surf And Sport - 11 years ago

I think the 5'6 will be sufficient, especially with 12 years experience under your belt. If you are used to larger boards (other hybrids, longboards, etc) then the 5'8 wouldn't be a bad call, but I think the 5'6 should be plenty of board for ya.

BC Surf And Sport - 11 years ago

5'2 should set you up fine. Wish we were closer to you up there! Smyrna seems to always get good surf.

BC Surf And Sport - 11 years ago

5'6 or 5'8. For mush you may want to lean towards a larger size for more wave catching ability.

BC Surf And Sport - 11 years ago

PotatoNator would be the better call, try out a 5'4 or maybe a 5'6 if you like some extra float

BC Surf And Sport - 11 years ago

Haha, yes. Make sure you wear your helmet and jetpack for emergency escapes also.

SBERTOL84 - 11 years ago

Can i ride this at Teahupoo when it's code red? I want learn to surf there

sjbeale - 12 years ago

@bcsurfandsportvideos Hey! nice vid....I'm wondering whether i should go for a 5'8 or 5'6 - I'm 6'0, weigh 165lbs and have been surfing for 12 years. I should also add that I surf in cold water so am wearing a lot of rubber most of the year and my home breaks are pretty mushy low-quality waves. Thanks!

Joey Risner - 12 years ago

im around 5,6 5.5 and 1round 110-115 pounds and im surfing new smyrna beach ,fl any suggestion for size

Steve Morgan - 12 years ago

6'4" 180 lbs here, livin in NH already have a few boards for larger winter swells but need something other than a longboard for the mush.. what size would you suggest

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

K, but I'll need some more info to really dial you in. How long have you been surfing? What board(s) are you riding now? Where and how often are you surfing? How much do you weigh? Let me know that info and we'll narrow your selection down to a few sizes.

20. comment for Firewire Potato-Nator Surfboard Review - BCSurf.com

Robert Truman - 12 years ago

hey im 6 foot and i want this board but idk wat size should get

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

Yessir. Got two in my quiver and I really like both. Gonna pull them out tomorrow for the Leslie swell on the east coast!

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

Between the two I'd go with the Potato-Nator. In the 4-5 days you'll like the slightly pulled in nose and entry rocker compared to the Sweet Potato. However, the Spitfire/Dominator may be a better call, especially if you've got 2-3 feet consistently. They have a relatively low rocker, but a bit more than the Potato-Nator, and they'll also perform better (less volume to move around, smaller tails for pivot).

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

If you wanna film some crazy wipeouts, then yes. I wouldn't bring it out in those conditions however. Rocker is way too flat and the board is mad wide, which is gonna get pretty squirrely (unstable) at that size.

crazyrevolution2 - 12 years ago

Can i ride this board in double over head waves?

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

If you're used to surfing on a shortboard I think you'll be fine with a 5'2 or a 5'4. The 5'4 will have some extra volume if you need a little extra paddling power, or have some really small surf.

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

To help narrow down the size range, let me know a few things: what's your ability level, where are you surfing, and how often are you surfing? That'll help me narrow down how much flotation you'll need.

Torrey B - 12 years ago

is this a good beginner shortboarders board? im 135lbs, 5'11, 17 y/o. what size for me?

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

Sounds like a solid plan. You may even want to try something that's more in the shortboard range for a second board, that way it'll crank out some performance and feel a bit different than your other baord. Check out the Activator or the Hellfire if you go that route.

Nash Johnson - 12 years ago

Ya man thanks so much. I thing what I might do is get like a sweet potato, potatonator, or a dominator because most of the time I am surfing those 2-3 foot waves and then just get a Spitfire later on for Trestles. Do you think that would do good? Thanks a lot

30. comment for Firewire Potato-Nator Surfboard Review - BCSurf.com

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

Therefore, the Spitfire is the best all around for you, hitting its sweet spot in 3-4 foot waves. Under that and over that a different board would be better, but it'll have significant weaknesses otherwise. Example: a Sweet Potato will do very well in tiny surf, but hitting the lip at 6 ft. Trestles will be more difficult. And vice versa for a performance shortboard like the HellRazor or Bourez model. Hope this helps out, shoot any more questions over and I'll try to get you set up!

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

but that small performance board will sink in 1-2 ft waves. I'm not really sure what board you could take in 1 ft waves actually, besides a longboard. The Potatonator will do a little better in the small stuff, but might lack the turn you are looking for in a bit larger wave. Down here in FL we've got similar size waves, although not the quality of Trestles for sure. I alternate between 3 boards depending on size to really dial in my sessions, but end up using my Dominator mostly (continued)

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

Alrighty, that's quite the list! Just to be blunt, there's not a perfect board to cover 1ft mush to 6ft Trestles, but we can try to narrow it down to the best overall. If it was just trestles we'd be looking at some performance boards, but with the small wave requirement you'll need some volume. In that range I'm still thinking the Spitfire. It's lower rocker and nose volume will help your paddling, and you can still surf 3-6 ft. waves. Not as well as a small performance board (continued)

Nash Johnson - 12 years ago

I normally surf around north San Diego area and most of the time its 1-2 maybe 3 foot surf. But I also go to San Onofre and Trestles a lot that can be 3-6 feet. So what would be the perfect board that just flies in that small, mushy surf, but also gets you into the wave really really easily and paddles amazing? I would also like it to be that same board that does all that stuff, but when I go to San Onofre and Trestles still be able to surf that 3-6 foot surf on that same board. Thanks so much

Nash Johnson - 12 years ago

So your saying that the dominator is the best choice for those 1-3 foot waves, but can also get some good hits?

Nash Johnson - 12 years ago

Right on

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

No problem, it's what we do. Let me know if you have any questions on sizes or anything. We'll get you set up with the right one.

Nash Johnson - 12 years ago

Wow, I cant thank you enough for that! Thank you so much

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

The Dominator has a decent volume to paddle well and accelerate fast in weaker surf. Plus a high rocker mixed in with a smaller tail gives you quicker turns and better pivots. The Spitfire is even more responsive with its step down rails. I'd highly recommend those as I personally ride a Dominator in South Florida and really like the mix of volume and performance. Check it!

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

For smacking some lips I wouldn't go with the Sweet Potato. The rocker is very flat, and the super wide nose could cause some hangups. That boards flies over small waves and is great for a flowing style though, but not so much on the aggressive maneuvers. Now the Potatonator is a performance improvement on the Sweet Potato, and could get a few hits in. If you're looking to throw some buckets it's not the best option, but it could get the job done. I'd suggest checking the Dominator (continued)

Nash Johnson - 12 years ago

If I wanted a board that would just fly down the face but also hit the lip really well, what would I do? The Potato-nator or the sweet potato? In your opinion which one do you like better the sweet potato or the Potato-nator? Thanks so much

BC Surf And Sport - 12 years ago

that'll do well. It might be a litte on the floaty size, but that's ok. The board is designed for smaller, not so powerful surf so a bit of extra foam will do nicely.