Firewire El Tomo Fish Surfboard Review

The Firewire El Tomo Fish surfboard is the latest offering from the genius mind of Daniel Thomson. A beautiful looking and scientifically smart surfboard based around his earlier Fighter Jet Fish model but this time with the benefit of a quad fin arrangement and Firewire's proven LFT construction.

The El Tomo Fish is designed to light-up smaller conditions and inject some speed into weaker and slower waves. The outline is unmistakably 'performance fish' but melded with Tomo's signature multi-concave hull which injects speed and rapid directional transitions into the mix. Tomo's instantly recognizable tail includes a bump wing into 'Double Diamond' which delivers serious levels of performance into what is still a "doable" shape for the intermediate thanks to the generous volume and relatively flat 'Evo-esque' rocker.

The guys at Boardshop are keen to get their grubby little mitts on the demo, we think this is going to be a very, very popular and useable surfboard. The El Tomo Fish has a pretty wide wave-range; a great paddler and wave catcher when it's thigh-high and a fast and fun performance fish when its head high and maybe a foot or 2 over.

[SecretReefs]

I have a 5'7" (30L) and have ridden it in average beach breaks, points, and reefs from thigh high up to about 2-3' overhead and feel like I could push it more without too much trouble. For under shoulder high I run it as a Twin only using my fastest and loosest twin or a keel, for chest to slightly overhead I run it as Twin (Tyler Warren Captain fin set) with the tiny knubster trailers, and for overhead I run it as Twin with two MR Trailers (smaller than a small thruster fin but bigger than a knubster) or as a quad. The board feels pretty different with each of those set ups, really playful on the lower end and stable and confident on the higher end. I don't feel any chatter like some EPS can have and I think that's a credit to the construction (which can also take a beating – way stronger than most PU and EPS I own).


I was torn initially between the 5'6" (28.5L) and 5'7" (30L) and I honestly think I could have gone either way. But to help me compete with some mid lengths and lonboarders at the mellower points and reefs around here I think the higher volume was a good decision.

[Tom-dkid]

Your reviews are objective and well explained. Really have become a fan of your reviews. Liked and subscribed! :)

[madeinaustralia]

I purchased a set of these fins yesterday and tested them this morning On my 62 Friartuck knee board swallowtail they work amazing very good drive easy rail to rail. They feel really stable and get me out of turns up to speed real quick

[ralphsamudiojr]

I like the wide tail for bigger sprays on cut back's.. also I like the thickness.. easier to paddle and catch waves.. I like everything about that surfboard..

[naturalbornreeler]

Liking this board.. Need a daily driver thinking this, black baron, rocket wide, sea side .. Several lost boards with the hydro short I think leading! Thoughts

[erichcabe]

Evo or El Tomo Fish for all rounder? I'm a weekend warior with one or two surf vacations/year. Already have a groveller for small waves. I'm an intermediate working on making sharper turns. Thanks!

[steven__]

I was thinking of throwing those fins on a mayhem hydra, would it be a bad idea?

[Waxhead]

How do you see this board performing in bigger waves - 6ft and steep? Does it fit the bill for a beg-intermediate surfer? Do you see the board working at it should in higher dims 6’2 or 6’4?

[johnaway]

I'm interested in this board but confused about what volume to go for.my groveler I always use is a 5.6 with around 33 liters.im 6 foot and weight is 80 kgs...what would ya recommend....was considering the 5.9

[ranuimcqueen]

Witch board would you choose the Evo or El Tomo?

[ajpearce]

That's the Coronavirus dry cough!


Ok, I admit I'm jealous.