The Dominator Pro is Dan Mann’s answer to years of requests from surfers who loved the Dominator lineage but wanted something sharper, faster, and more tuned for performance. Where the Dominator 2.0 offered a forgiving, versatile shortboard with a broad appeal, the Pro version is built to go toe-to-toe with your favorite performance shortboard—while still carrying some of the user-friendly DNA that made the Dominator series a staple in so many quivers.
The outline is more pulled-in than the 2.0, with a refined, round-ish squash tail that gives it a tighter, more responsive feel. Volume is slimmed down and distributed with precision, meaning this board rewards good surfers who know how to drive from the rail. That said, it still maintains enough forgiveness to serve as a transitional step for riders progressing toward high-performance shortboards.
The rocker profile pays homage to the original Dominator—smooth and flowing—but now features a moderate increase in curve from nose through tail. This added curve brings the board to life in punchier waves, letting it fit cleanly into steeper pockets. Underneath, the bottom contour starts with more single concave under the front foot, blending into a double barrel through the fins, and finally finishing with a vee out the tail tip. The result: lift and speed through the flats, bite and drive through turns, and smooth release when pushing hard out of the tail.
The Dominator Pro is an all-rounder but definitely slants toward performance. It works in thigh-high surf, but really comes alive in chest-high to overhead conditions, particularly in waves with some shape and push. Think punchy beach breaks, lined-up reef setups, and travel destinations where you want a reliable shortboard that still carries a touch of extra forgiveness.
As with other Firewire performance designs, fin choice matters: the Velox Thruster set gives it precision and drive, while Dan Mann himself prefers it as a Quad for more speed and release in the pocket.
Pros:
True performance shortboard feel compared to the Dominator 2.0
Refined outline and rocker excel in punchy, pockety waves
Double barrel concave + vee tail release give control with speed
Versatile fin options (Thruster for precision, Quad for looseness)
Ideal travel board: can handle a wide range of conditions
Cons:
Less forgiving than the Dominator 2.0; better suited to confident surfers
Doesn’t quite hit the pure high-performance level of Mann’s FRK
Works in smaller surf, but really shines when waves have shape and energy
Final Verdict:
The Dominator Pro is the natural evolution of a modern classic—bridging the gap between a forgiving daily driver and a full-blown performance shortboard. With a refined rocker, concave setup, and pulled-in squash tail, it feels alive in good surf and rewards technical surfing while still being approachable. For surfers who loved the Dominator 2.0 but want more performance without going all the way to an FRK-style blade, the Dominator Pro is the perfect upgrade.
