What’s in Rob Machado’s Winter Quiver?

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Dec 12, 2024 7:09 PM ET

Even Rob Machado had to stifle a laugh at the weather. “Doesn’t feel cold. Does it feel like winter?” he remarked while gazing at the sunshine around his home in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Though the climate in the video may not match your perception of winter, the Northern Hemisphere is indeed in that cycle and the Pacific Ocean is churning out northwest swells to California as we speak.

This is often the time surfers either dust off boards that have collected dust in the garage or begin scouring the internet/surf shops/board swaps for new hardware. Rob already has his quiver dialed for San Diego’s beaches and reefs, so the folks at Firewire Surfboards stopped by to see what he’s waxing up.

All are either the product of Rob’s own design or collaboration with Firewire and Dan Mann. All are laced with parabolic wood stringers around the entire board for improved strength. Without further ado, here are three surfboards Rob will be flying by on this winter.

Too Fish by Machado— 5’0” x 20 1/8" x 2 3/16" x 25.9 liters

“I just gotta have a fish in my quiver at all times.” Plain and simple ethos from Rob, but that’s how fun his two-keeled twin is these days.

“If you’re one of those people who are on the fence about riding a fish, do it,” he said. “They’re really fast, they’re really fun. It’s just a whole different feeling in surfing you can’t get anywhere else. This is my version of it. There are a lot of them out there, but this is what I landed on. I have a really good time riding it. Dive in.”

Seaside by Firewire x Machado — 5’2” x 20” x 2 5/16” x 26.5 liters (stock dims)

With a narrower tail for hold and a longer rail line for speed, the Seaside is a slightly more refined version than the Too Fish. Yet it will still wiggle where you want it. Fast and loose, it appears Rob’s previous model has disappeared after a friend “borrowed” it.

“It’s a quad as well, (which has) a lot more stability,” adds Rob. “If you run it with my quad set it pairs really well. It’s got a baby keel in the back. Fast, fun, loose. Surf it a little tighter in the pocket. It’s a good mix between a shortboard and a fish.”

Mashup by Dan Mann x Machado — 5’4” x 19 9/16” x 2 7/16” x 27.1 liters (stock dims)

“If I’m going to surf a heat, this is my go-to,” Rob said as he picked up the Mashup, a collaboration between him and surfboard wiz Dan Mann. The Mashup is essentially the byproduct of a thought experiment in which “if we took the Spitfire (daily driver shortboard) and the Seaside and left them in a room together for 24 hours,” Rob explained.

A more angled performance rocker, this thing can go vertical. But don’t be afraid to pop a 2+1 fin setup, as Rob prefers, to a little extra speed and wiggle room.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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