Firewire Sweet Potato Surfboard Reviews

Eight surfers, eight different setups, one board that keeps showing up in the lineup. We've collected real customer reviews of the Firewire Sweet Potato from riders ranging 5'10 to 6'2 and 155 to 220 pounds, in waves from knee-high junk to head-high. Here's what they said.

Quick Answer: The Firewire Sweet Potato is a wide, high-volume fish designed by Dan Mann for catching more waves in small, weak, or junky surf — and it holds up to head-high when set up correctly. Across eight real customer reviews at Hawaiian South Shore, surfers of every size and skill level report more wave count, easier paddling, and surprising maneuverability for such a wide board. The right size and fin setup decide how it rides.

Why So Many Surfers End Up on a Sweet Potato

The Sweet Potato turns small, junky, head-scratch days into fun sessions. Designed by shaper Dan Mann, the board pairs a wide outline and high volume with a deep double barrel concave that generates speed when the wave doesn't want to give it to you. Below are eight real customer takes — some who bought it, some who rented it, some who demoed it on a tip from store owner David.

Randy's Take — Small Wave Performance

Randy demoed the Sweet Potato and didn't expect how well the board worked on small junk days.

Although the Sweet Potato may seem a little wider than what you're used to, this board provides a unique surfing experience that's both enjoyable and exhilarating. Some may find it to be a bit too wide, but this design actually adds to its appeal, making it feel like a miniature longboard. While it isn't as agile as some other boards, it still maintains a good level of maneuverability, allowing surfers to easily catch and ride small waves.

Overall, if you're looking for a fun and unique surfing experience on small waves, the Sweet Potato is worth considering. The wide design may take some getting used to, but once you're comfortable on the board, you'll be able to catch waves like never before.

Scott's Take — Volcanic Construction with Dan Mann's Fin Setup

Scott reviewed his new 5'6 Sweet Potato Volcanic. He was skeptical that the wide fish shape would turn well, but has been blown away by the performance after setting it up per Dan Mann's recommendation: Kelly Slater twin+1 fins up front and regular large fins in the back. He says the board "turns on a dime" and holds speed through turns extremely well.

Scott got the oversized 56-liter (37 inches wide) for small, junky waves but found it works great in bigger surf up to head-high as well. He notes that despite its longboard appearance — which seems like it wouldn't turn over on rail easily — the board flips no problem. With this bigger Sweet Potato he's catching everything like when riding his regular shortboards in the 30–31 liter range.

Scott appreciates Dan Mann's fin setup recommendation that unlocks the true performance in this deceptively maneuverable-looking fish. As Scott puts it: "It's something else how this wide board can turn."

Bonnie's Take — Two Fin Setups, Two Different Rides

Bonnie rides the 6'0 Sweet Potato as both a quad and a twin, and tunes the setup to the day. At 5'10 and 155 lbs, he found the wider outline and float of the 6'0 worked well for his frame.

For the quad setup, Bonnie runs FCS Performer medium fins. As a twin, he switches to Machado twin fins, which give a looser, more slidey feel. His favorite use case is the kind of session where most surfers stay on the beach — weak, onshore, junky waist-high. Bonnie surfs Beach Park, White Plains, and Ewa Beach on Oahu's West side, where open-faced waves let the board do its job.

Camp's Take — Renting the Sweet Potato for the First Time

Camp rented the Sweet Potato for about ninety minutes and walked back saying he had to buy one. He's 5'11 and 185 lbs, and the board he tried was a 41-liter setup with Al Merrick quad fins.

His read: it floated well, paddled like a breeze, and caught everything he wanted in the time he had. Even with limited waves that day, the board was, in his words, almost like a little wake skate — it turned well and held him up easily. No learning curve, no expectations — and he still walked away saying he'd come back for one.

Chad's Take — A Larger Surfer's Long-Term Pick

Chad is 5'10 and 220 lbs, and his 6'2 Sweet Potato has earned a permanent spot in his quiver. He's a regular at Hawaiian South Shore who can't resist adding a new board to the rack every visit.

Chad rode longboards for years before transitioning to shortboards as he got more experienced. The Sweet Potato fit his frame and his wave count needs without forcing him back onto a longer board. He runs power twin fins on it most of the time, with a 2+1 setup, and is considering quads when the surf picks up. For a 220 lb surfer, finding a shortboard that paddles, floats, and turns is the whole game — and his review shows the Sweet Potato can be that board long-term, not just a small-wave novelty.

Derrin's Take — The 6'4 for Bigger Surf

Derrin upgraded from a 6'1 Seaside to the 6'4 Sweet Potato, and the extra volume changed his sessions. The added float helps him get into more waves and stay in the pocket — the spot on the wave where the most power is — compared to his old setup.

He runs a twin plus one fin configuration and likes how it turns sharply but still slides smoothly. The bigger story: on bigger surf days, the 6'4 held its line for late takeoffs and bottom turns without sliding out. That's the answer to the question every shortboarder asks about a wide fish — and in the 6'4 with the right fins, it's yes.

James Wilkes's Take — Knee-High to Shoulder-High Versatility

James, a local Hawaii surfer, runs his Sweet Potato as a quad with a trailer fin and uses it across a wide range of conditions — from knee-high to shoulder-high, the daily band most South Shore surfers actually surf in.

What James highlights is the paddle. The Sweet Potato moves through flat sections and dead spots with much less effort than a standard shortboard. Combined with the wave-catching from the wide outline, that adds up to more rides per session — especially valuable at less-crowded surf spots where you can hunt smaller, less-contested waves.

Brett's Take — David's Recommendation Pays Off

Brett walked into Hawaiian South Shore at 6'2 and 180 lbs, took David's recommendation, and demoed the Sweet Potato with FCS Performer Quads — and was blown away. The Performer Quad setup gives the drive and release this design is built around, and Brett's height and weight are right in the middle of the range where the Sweet Potato works without compromise. It's the most common pattern we see in the shop: surfer hears about the board, demos it on owner-recommended fins, comes back stoked.

Bottom Line

Eight surfers, eight setups, one consistent verdict: the Firewire Sweet Potato makes more sessions worth paddling out for. Whether you're 155 lbs riding a 6'0 in junky waist-high or 220 lbs riding a 6'2 in clean shoulder-high, this board catches the waves you want and turns better than its outline suggests it should. The right size and fin combination — dialed in at Hawaiian South Shore — is what separates a good Sweet Potato session from a great one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Firewire Sweet Potato best for?

The Firewire Sweet Potato is best for small, weak, or junky waves where a standard shortboard would struggle to catch waves and generate speed. It also performs well up to head-high when paired with the right fin setup. Designed by Dan Mann, it is a wide, high-volume fish that helps surfers of all sizes catch more waves and have more fun on days other boards can't handle.

What size Sweet Potato should I get?

Sizing depends on your weight, experience, and conditions. Surfers around 155 lbs often ride the 6'0. Surfers in the 180 to 220 lb range typically go with the 6'2 to 6'4. Larger surfers wanting maximum wave count in soft surf can size up to the Volcanic 5'6 with 56L. The Hawaiian South Shore team in Honolulu can help you dial in the right size in person.

What fin setup works best on the Sweet Potato?

The Sweet Potato is a 5-fin board, so you can ride it as a quad, twin, twin plus trailer (2+1), or thruster. Quad setups like FCS Performer Quads or Al Merrick Quads give the most drive in small waves. Twin or 2+1 setups give a looser feel. For bigger surf, designer Dan Mann recommends Kelly Slater twin plus one fins up front with regular large fins in the back for maximum drive and hold.

Is the Sweet Potato good for bigger surfers?

Yes. Real customer reviews show it works for surfers up to 220 lbs. Chad, who is 5'10 and 220 lbs, rides the 6'2 with twin fins. Brett at 6'2 and 180 lbs rides it on FCS Performer Quads. The high volume and wide outline make it especially friendly for larger surfers who want more waves without paddling onto a longboard.

Can the Sweet Potato handle bigger waves?

Yes, with the right setup. Customers like Scott and Derrin report strong performance up to head-high. Scott rides the oversized 5'6 Volcanic at 56L using Dan Mann's recommended Kelly Slater twin plus one setup. Derrin notes his 6'4 holds its line for late takeoffs and bottom turns on bigger days without sliding out.

Where can I buy the Firewire Sweet Potato in Hawaii?

The Firewire Sweet Potato is available at Hawaiian South Shore, 320 Ward Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96814. The shop carries multiple sizes and constructions including Helium 2 and Volcanic. Call (808) 597-9055 or visit the store seven days a week to get sized in person.

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Hawaiian South Shore is at 320 Ward Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96814. Call or text (808) 597-9055 or email sales@hawaiiansouthshore.com. Open 7 days.