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Shaun Jej
Australia
Registrace 28. 06. 2020
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 CZcams 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.
zhlédnutí: 12 412
Video
The Proper Way to Wax a Board as Shown to me by the Great Mark Richards
zhlédnutí 1,3KPřed 3 lety
About ten years I got a lecture on how to wax a board by Mark Richards. Thought I'd have some fun and upload this to CZcams. You'd be surprised on how effective this method is......
Eco Tech Zephyr Hybrid Surfboard Honest Review by Every Day Surfer
zhlédnutí 9KPřed 3 lety
This is a review of a board I bought online after weeks of research. I've never bought a board on line, and this experience was not good. Service and delivery from the supplier exceptional, but the board itself I never would have bought if I had of picked it up in a surf shop. Shows the average punter why things on the net are cheap and too good to be true. FYI this is the 6'2 & 40 litre versio...
GREAT INFO!!! Thx! Occy has a smaller one called the Bullseye! For smaller waves so he has a complete set up.
I reckon you could fix the "skitishness" of the Dominator with different fin choice. (Bigger fins, different rake)
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.
You are about the same as me. You could get away with a little bit more.
Great review. What's your recommendation for fin setup on the Dominator?
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.
Thanks mate, great to know - appreciated!
Thx for the review mate. What find you using for the raging bull?
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
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?
Dominator. Hands down easy choice.
@@shaunjej1855 thanks mate. Is your view unchanged since posting the video on the type of surf you found it comfortable and fun in?
@@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.
@@shaunjej1855 thanks mate, really appreciate it :)
Noel Salas quad set been best fin’s I’ve tried in the D2.0
I had the same board just in the PU construction but a 5,6" thing went better once I put larger fins in it , it actually felt losers as the fins gave it more drive and speed making it quite skatey , but its better in pushier waves I found, as I used it at greenmount around head high and it flew but when I came back to Cornwall UK , the waves little less push the board felt slow. But for the money theyre well made so I cant complain as I got good price for it when I sold it.
I just started surfing again and this is my first board after coming back to it and I completely agree with you. The board is great for getting your wave count up and for me getting back into the swing of things but as soon as you want to do anything other than ride the face it's pretty unresponsive.
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.
My wife’s not that patient either. Cheaper to keep her though so I can buy more boards 😂😂😂😂
What type of board do you think will suit someone that is 70 kilos, 5’4 ?
Yep I think you are on the money there. They hold a lot of volume becasue they are wide and flat.
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.
how is it duck divingthe raging bull at 34.2 liters?
It’s a shortboard it has a narrow nose. No worrie at all.
Man those raging bulls are super nice boards im using the js shaper template fins, large ,shit yeah
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.
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
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.
I have to say I disagree with this review. I bought a 6’8 zephyr, and expected it to ride like a boat. Instead it catches waves very easily, is very stable, has good drive and has good turns. I have surfed for many years using lots of well known shapers (pyzel, mayhem, etc.). This board has been great for me as an older surfer, my 2 cents
G'day Paul. Really stoked it worked for you. I've ended up with a seaside and beyond. Goes like a dream but wow the price tag. Love the feedback and glad you are getting waves. 2 cents well spent.
I did choose the standard epoxy, which is quite a bit lighter than the ecotech, and probably a bit more lively.
Thanks!
Thoughts on the Cymatic?!?!
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.
Love the wax job Shauno.
Hahaha I've been surfing 6 months and my 8ft mini Mal was awesome but Ive maxed it out and wanna carve now.. just got this in top condition for $170 and am worried it's too small and also going from softboard to hard is intimidating...I'm 6ft, 80kg and got the 6'2, hope I can get up on it
Keep me posted. First few surfs will be frustrating but will definitely give you some rewards.
@@shaunjej1855 legend thanks Shaun
wish i'd seen this before buying. Bought the 6ft but wish I'd got the 5'10. Same thoughts, feels like a boat and hard to sink the rail. Does surf well in 1ft onshore, and powers through fat sections really well
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!
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
@@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.
What you weigh mate ? lot of ltrs your riding and length you could come down a bit ?
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.
Glad I saw this, they do look like they're pushing water on their promo vids too. cheers mate
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
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.
@@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.
@@jackdupree6491 Yep. Love mine. Enjoy!
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
yep that dominator is a favourite. even the raging bull rarely gets taken out these days.
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
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.
@@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
@@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!!
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.
welcome to china my friend this company have no market value after you get the board
Your right there. They are pretty slick in getting the goods to you though and the promotional stuff is very convincing. There must be a good board in that quiver they sell but I just didn't get one of them.
Hey mate ,thanks for the review , what fins were you using on the RB.
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.
Awesome thanks , like your work,enjoy the laid-back review style.
I've just ordered a 6 '2" but wish I'd seen this review before I was sucked in by all the 26x five star reviews on their website. I'm similar age and have been out of the water for sometime so hopefully I'll have a different experience .
Yes please let me know how you go. You will definitely get heaps of waves on it. I almost wish I had kept it for those tiny days as it is sort of like a mal without the length. I bought the new dominator II instead and it absolutely rips. very happy with that one.
@@shaunjej1855 The Dominator 2 looks great but comes with a big-ticket price compared to the Zephyr. Where did you get yours?
@@FernandoGonzalez1965 G'day Fernando. You truly get what you pay for. The dominator was from a local surf shop around $1000AUD. Much, much better quality than the zephyr. Not even a comparison. Be careful though as all firewire seem to go yellow.....but doesn't effect performance. I'm buying another one to go to Indo.
I have been looking at both boards. Appreciate your info.thanks
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.
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!💪
Hope you get some great waves. I am still enjoying mine.
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!🤙🏾
Cheers boys! 54 here and still riding the small boards. 509 to 6’ as my dailys
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!!!
"It'd be great to have some surfing footage of either, but my wife is not that patient." Hahaha that is so relatable.
Great review, down to earth, really useful info
Cheers flat. Much appreciated.
Good "down to earth" summary, no "fluff"... 👍
Thanks for the reply. really appreciate it.
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.
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..
@@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.
Thanks 🤙
Cheers mate. Great info
Thanks JK. I appreciate it.
Man it's good to see an honest review. I left a reasonable review on their site about another board and they deleted it because it wasn't 5 stars
Nice one. Thanks for the reply. I guess its not in their interest to leave any negative reviews as its not good for business. Bit of false advertising though.
Haha spotted ya at graveyards on the raging bull your back hand cuttys were holding nice
Classic. Cheers. Feel like a goose putting this up but Covid made me do it!
Needs to see it on some waves 🤙😷🇺🇲
Yeah good point Larry. I agree. Couldn't talk the misses into it. Thanks for the comments.
Cool method! Less is more! :)
Thanks McCoy. Now for the love of god re-wax the white cruise liner for all of us!!
@@shaunjej1855 Haha, job done, &, just like you said, lots of little bumps not big lumps! Traction IS a lot better with this method! Full marks, young Shaun! :)
Really enjoying your videos! You’re a trip! I’d be great to paddle out with ya!!!
I reckon a fair review for the size. I surf it in a 5"8'. Went from a traditional 6"4'. It took me a bit to get use to it but now find it fast and nimble. Good up to 6ft. I did have a good long chat to them before I got one about waves and surf ability. Jusy my opinion. Cheers
Absolutely RD. I think you nailed the size. I would have loved to have tried a smaller board. I chose the size due to my stuffed shoulder, and it delivered on catching waves, just not responsive. Ended up buying a 6"1' Dominator and I'm finding I am getting similar wave numbers but I get a more responsive board. No change out of a $1000 (AUD) though. For that I could get three Zephyrs for each occasion!! Thanks for the comments!
Would you recommend it for a 1 year experience surfer?
Absolutely. Dont go the mini mal option most guys tend to do. Go for something a little thicker and longer. If you can regularly get to your feet and stand up fairly easy then this board is good. I'm 85ks and 170cm. As a 12 month surfer this would have been a good size. Take your time too. I bought it for $520 and a month later they were $420.
@@shaunjej1855 what size have you used? I am 170cm 73kg, what size would you recommend?
@@jose2x784 Being 73kg and just starting out on a shorter board I think the 6'2". Any smaller and you will fall off too much. Any bigger and you probably wouldn't progress with it. It would be good for you for a good couple of years.
@@shaunjej1855 thank you!
What are the dimensions my daughter has a 6ft 8 zephyr it goes really well after surfing on my 9 ft 1 a good transition board
Where do you live I'll buy it for $200 I'm 110kg reckon it might be OK!
G'day mate. At 110kg it would be perfect. Ive got it on Gumtree for 300 and already looks like I have sold it. Thanks for the reply. And I hope you get one. For older, bigger guys these things are magic at catching waves. I might still buy a 5"8' for me.
Mate, I was looking for some honest feedback & you certainly delivered.... 👍
G'day Justahound. Cheers. I appreciate the feedback. You may tell I am frustrated. I think spend more coin and get something lighter and with shape.
This made my day Shaun! Great review too, although I sort of guessed it'd be too sluggish for you. Stoked you've made your first vid, one of many more to come I hope! YEEWW!! :)
Cheers McCoy. I thought I'd have a go after watching so many of yours. i can see now you are quite the pro!
@@shaunjej1855 It only gets easier Shaun, like anything else! We're still lucky here in Oz, people will applaud you if you have a go. :)