Firewire Dominator Pro Review

Average price$905Range $890–$935 across 3 retailersSee sources

The Dominator Pro is Dan Mann's performance evolution of the Dominator 2.0 — described by Firewire as the shortboard that fans of the Dominator have been asking Dan Mann to build for years, designed to go toe-to-toe with traditional high-performance shortboards.

View on Firewire

Quick specs

Designer: Dan Mann
Type: High-performance shortboard
Construction: Helium Core with Fiberglass Lamination
Fin system: Futures (5-fin: thruster or quad)
Rocker: True to original Dominator style with moderate increase in entry curve
Common sizes: 5'6" – 6'6"

The Dominator Pro is Dan Mann's performance-focused evolution of the Dominator 2.0. Firewire describes it as the shortboard that fans of the Dominator have been asking Dan Mann to build for years — designed to go toe-to-toe with traditional high-performance shortboards while keeping the paddle advantage of the Dominator line.

The rocker on the Dominator Pro is true to the style of rocker on the original Dominator, but with a moderate increase in entry curve. Firewire recommends pairing it with the Firewire Velox Fin Set, noting that many of their riders love it as a thruster while Dan Mann prefers the quad setup.

Helium Core Technology uses a stringerless EPS core with flex controlled at the rails via Paulownia and Balsa wood. Firewire describes this construction as light, lively, and durable — the same Helium construction used across their performance range.

Pros & cons

Performance shortboard feel with Firewire's paddle-friendly Helium construction
Refined rocker holds critical turns better than the standard Dominator
5-fin Futures box lets you run thruster or quad — Dan Mann prefers quad
Helium Core (stringerless EPS with Paulownia/Balsa rail flex control) is light and lively

Less forgiving than the Dominator 2.0 — aimed at advanced surfers
At $890 MSRP, priced above equivalent PU-blank shortboards
Overkill for weak, small waves where the Dominator 2.0 excels

How it surfs

Because Surfex does not personally test boards, the notes here summarise what Firewire and retailers describe about the shape rather than a first-person ride report. Firewire positions the Dominator Pro as their most serious performance shortboard — a genuine advanced-surfer daily driver that keeps the paddle power and durability of the Dominator line.

MSRP on the Firewire US site is $890. The board is currently listed as sold out in most sizes on Firewire's direct site — check the retailer comparison below for live stock at independent dealers.

For a hands-on ride impression, the Videos section links to independent YouTube reviews which walk through the board in real conditions.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
5'6"	25.9 L	—	Firewire size chart
5'7"	27.2 L	—	Firewire size chart
5'8"	28.1 L	—	Firewire size chart
5'9"	—	—	Firewire size chart

Verdict

The Dominator Pro is Firewire's most performance-oriented Dominator, designed by Dan Mann at $890 MSRP. Because Surfex does not personally test boards, we've linked out to the Firewire product page and independent YouTube reviews below so you can form your own ride impression.

Independent source check

Estimated from 3 independent sources — none publish numeric scores. See sources below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Sources checked

3

Source	Score	Summary
Firewire — Surf 'N Show Review by Dan Mann	No numeric score	"Noel Salas and Surf 'N Show put the Dominator Pro to the test — Dan Mann's refinement of the classic Dominator into a genuinely high-performance hybrid."
Firewire — REAL Watersports Review by Dan Mann	No numeric score	"REAL Watersports puts the Dominator Pro through its paces — the pro-level refinement of Firewire's most enduring hybrid shape."
Mike Raven Coaching — Dominator Pro review	No numeric score	"The Ultimate Performance Hybrid? Real surfer feedback across multiple sessions confirms Dan Mann's shaping delivers a versatile daily-driver with genuine performance credentials."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price

$905

$890–$935 · 3 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
Firewire (MSRP)	$890	-$15	Visit
Jack's Surfboards	$890	-$15	Visit
Surfboard Factory Hawaii	$935	+$30	Visit

Frequently asked questions

Dominator Pro vs Dominator 2.0 — which is right for me?+

The 2.0 is the one-board quiver for intermediate to advanced surfers in average conditions. The Pro is for advanced surfers who mostly surf shoulder-high and better waves and want a genuine performance shortboard feel.

How much does the Dominator Pro cost?+

MSRP on the Firewire USA site is $890. The board is currently sold out in most sizes on Firewire's direct site; check independent dealers like Catalyst Shop for live stock.

Thruster or quad in the Dominator Pro?+

The board ships as a Futures 5-fin. Firewire notes that many of their riders love it as a thruster, while designer Dan Mann prefers the quad setup.

What construction is the Dominator Pro available in?+

Firewire's US site currently lists it in Helium Core with Fiberglass Lamination — a stringerless EPS core with flex controlled at the rails via Paulownia and Balsa wood.