On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
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.
More must-reads:
- Myles Garrett reveals bold goal for 2025 Browns amid four-way QB competition
- Emerging Texans star likely to miss 2025 season
- The 'Most NBA games played' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Emerging Texans star likely to miss 2025 season
Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is likely to miss the entire 2025 season as he continues his recovery from last year’s brutal knee injury, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Dell dislocated his knee and tore his ACL, MCL and LCL in a Week 16 loss to the Chiefs in December. With such a severe injury, Houston’s focus is on Dell’s health and long-term career outlook. The team wants him to get healthy rather than rushing back to play this year. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said (via Wilson) that Dell is “crushing the rehab,” but declined to offer a specific timeline. His comments hinted that the team is not counting on Dell to return this season. Injuries were always the biggest concern surrounding Dell. His 5-foot-7, 165-pound frame was already undersized by college standards; in the NFL, it’s minuscule. Sitting out this season will set up a major contract year in 2026. Dell will need to prove that he is back at full health and can remain there for an entire season while maintaining his production. Dell was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, along with teammates Trent Brown and Jimmie Ward.
Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski continues to set radar gun on fire at unprecedented rate
Milwaukee Brewers Jacob Misiorowski was back on the mound on Tuesday night against the Seattle Mariners, and even though he pitched just 3.2 innings, he continued to show why he is one of baseball's most exciting young talents. Prior to be pulled after 64 pitches, he allowed just three hits, walked one and struck out seven to continue his stunning start to his big league career. He also continued to light up the radar gun in a way that no other pitcher in the modern era has. Following Tuesday's start, where he regularly clocked in at over 101 mph, he has now thrown 39 pitches this season that have eclipsed 101 mph on the radar gun. He has done that in just 29.1 innings over six starts. By comparison, every other starting pitcher in Major League Baseball has tallied just 17 pitches of 101 mph or higher — combined. But it's not just about how he stacks up with pitchers this season that is staggering. It's that he is near the top of the list for 101 mph pitches for a career. Here are two of his 101 mph heaters from Tuesday. The ball just erupts out of his hand at the hitters. When you add in his mid-90s change-up and high-90s breaking pitches he is already one of the nastiest pitchers in the majors. It is that sort of electric stuff that made him a National League All-Star after just five appearances. For the season, he has now struck out 40 batters in 29.1 innings of work (that is 12.27 per nine innings), allowed only 15 hits and just eight earned runs. And five of those earned runs against came in only one start. Given his age and with the way teams today are extremely protective of their pitchers, he is probably going to see his pitch counts and innings closely monitored this season. When he is on the mound, though, he is quickly becoming appointment viewing.
Tyrann Mathieu retirement highlights compelling Hall of Fame case
One question remains after New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement. How long until Canton calls? On Tuesday, the 12-year NFL veteran revealed he was retiring, effective immediately, ending the New Orleans native's legendary football career. In a statement published to social media, the three-time first-team All-Pro wrote, "As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that's shaped me in every way. "From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing." He's a surefire first-ballot Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame honoree, breaking out while at LSU (2010-11). During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he forced 11 fumbles with eight recoveries, four interceptions and four total touchdowns while finishing fifth in Heisman voting in 2011. Mathieu was dismissed from the team in 2012 after failing multiple drug tests and then was arrested on marijuana charges, but he didn't allow that to define his career. Instead, he carved out what could be considered a Pro Football Hall of Fame resume, too. Mathieu ends his professional career with 838 tackles, 100 passes defended and 36 interceptions. In addition to being named first-team All-Pro three times, he received three Pro Bowl honors and was a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010 Team. Mathieu also won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2020. Per Mathieu's Pro Football Reference's Hall of Fame Monitor score (65.2), he has a below-average case for enshrinement, with the average Hall of Fame defensive back scoring a 96.93. But players have received a gold jacket with worse scores in the PFR metric, including John Lynch, Eric Allen and Dick LeBeau. While he might have to wait past his first ballot to make it into the Hall of Fame, it would be a shame if Mathieu didn't one day receive his flowers. It certainly helps his case that in addition to being one of the greatest safeties of his generation, Mathieu was, by all accounts, just as outstanding off the field. NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill and Arizona Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard, who covered Mathieu when he played for the Cardinals, were among the media members to share fond stories about Mathieu. "One of those guys who really respected the job we do and would take the time to explain the game," Underhill shared. "He an all-world talent and the most accessible, genuine, introspective superstar I've ever met," Odegard wrote. It could take longer than five years, but it should surprise no one if one day Mathieu receives Hall of Fame recognition. He is the Honey Badger, after all. He takes what he wants.
Green Bay Packers Add Familiar Face to Matt LaFleur’s Coaching Staff
There’s a familiar face back on the sidelines alongside head coach Matt LafLeur, as the Packers open training camp. According to a report from Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, the Packers have brought back Nathaniel Hackett in an advisory role for LaFleur and the offense. What Nathaniel Hackett Brings to the Packers’ Staff Hackett’s return comes on the heels of Robert Saleh joining the staff after his dismissal as New York Jets head coach last season, when he served as a special advisor to defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, and Hackett will likely occupy a similar role for Green Bay in 2025. LaFleur’s former offensive coordinator with the Packers from 2019 through the 2022 season, when he was hired as the Denver Broncos’ head coach before being dismissed after just one season and ultimately landing with Aaron Rodgers as the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator for one-plus seasons from 2023 into the 2024 campaign. Adding a veteran coach with previous ties to LaFleur has to be an asset for the Packers as Green Bay looks to make some big strides on that side of the ball in 2025.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
