Firewire Machadocado — The Ultimate Dutch Groveler?
5'10" | Helium Tech | 2+1 Setup
Chasing the Small Wave Solution
As a Dutch surfer, you have a lot of downtime between swells. This eventually leads to boredom and a complete reevaluation of your surfboard quiver. I have asked myself many times, “What would be the perfect board for Dutch surfing?”
It is a tricky question because you immediately start thinking about boards that can do it all—aka hybrids and daily drivers. But I've learned that while you can use a normal daily driver when it gets waist-high and above, for most of our waves, you really need to look at longboards or real grovelers.
I say real grovelers because many surfboard shapers build performance grovelers. Those work well if you live in California, Australia, or some tropical surf paradise, but in the Dutch surf, you need a true groveler. Let's start my exploration of these small-wave machines with the Machadocado.
First Impressions and Tech
I surfed a 5'10" version belonging to my mate, and this board feels like it was practically made for Dutch surf. This was also the first Helium technology and EPS board I have ever surfed, and I can say it handles wind chop remarkably well.
Online, there seems to be an endless debate about PU vs. EPS when it comes to wind chop and bumpy conditions. My understanding has always been that PU is supposed to be superior, but I really don't think this applies to intermediate surfers at all. I don't surf overhead barrels in heavy conditions; in the waves I actually surf, EPS boards work just as well.
The added benefit, of course, is the durability and reduced environmental impact. Based on other surfers' experiences, a stringered EPS seems to be the way to go. Because it is small, it feels incredibly lively, yet it's wide enough to never feel unstable. Plus, it has plenty of volume, so it paddles great.
Session Notes: Skatey and Smiling
My first try on this board was with the Machadocado 2+1 fin setup, and it was all smiles right away. It felt a bit strange at first; it felt like I was missing a wave, but then it suddenly generated its own speed and you're up. That took one or two tries to figure out so you don't accidentally stop paddling too early. I came straight from my 6'2" Pyzel, so this was by far the shortest board I had surfed up until then.
I feel I could have done equally well on a 5'8" or 5'9", but for Dutch surf, a little extra volume never hurts—especially when you are weighing yourself down in a 3/2 or 5/4 wetsuit. Popping up feels really solid. Once you get to your feet, the board transforms into a skateboard; you almost feel like you could throw a pop-shuvit on it.
I surfed this board a couple of times in different conditions, all with onshore winds and waves ranging from knee-high to waist-high. Typical Dutch waves are not clean and are usually very mushy, but this board was still incredibly fun in all of those conditions. In fact, this is the best groveler I have ever tried in Dutch surf. My take is that the best surfer in the lineup is the one having the most fun, and this board lets you do that very easily.
The Limit: Steep Drops
Are there any limitations to the Machadocado? Yes, I don’t think it likes steep drops! As soon as the surf got serious, this board signed out for me. I would not expect this board to handle steep drops, but it is still interesting to experience.
The Groveler Shortlist
There are still many options left to test in the hunt for the ultimate North Sea setup: the Lost Puddle Jumper (which might have too much performance), the Lost Party Platter, the Firewire Sweet Potato, Pukas Baloon, or a classic traditional fish.
The Verdict
Is this the perfect board for surfing in the Netherlands? Maybe, yes. It turns soft, on-shore windswell into an absolute playground and keeps a session competitive when a standard shortboard bogs down.
If you want to maximize your wave count and keep a massive smile on your face through a mushy Dutch summer, this shape deserves a spot in the van.
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