Firewire TJ Pro Mid Review: My New Go To Mid Length?

On the hunt for a new mid-length surfboard to round out your quiver? Whether you’re a beginner looking to level up or a seasoned surfer chasing performance with forgiveness, the Firewire TJ Pro Mid might just be the board you’ve been searching for.

I’ve spent the past few weeks putting this board through its paces, and after multiple sessions in a variety of conditions, I’m stoked to bring you my full hands-on review. Spoiler alert: this board seriously delivers.

A Collaboration Between Two Legends

The TJ Pro Mid is the brainchild of four-time world longboard champ Taylor Jensen and shaper Dan Mann, who’s behind some of my all-time favourite boards. As soon as the board dropped, I hit up Taylor on Instagram, and we connected for an interview where he broke down the design and compared it to other popular mid-lengths. (You’ll find that video linked below if you want even more insights.)

Taylor was even kind enough to lend me one of his personal boards to test – and yes, that’s the one I’ve been surfing.

 

 

 

Who’s the TJ Pro Mid For?

This board sits right in that sweet spot where it can suit a wide range of surfers, from stoked beginners to experienced pros. Like most mid-lengths, it offers loads of paddle power, stability, and a forgiving feel. If you’re newer to the game, sizing up a bit will help with wave count and confidence. More advanced surfers can size down to squeeze out extra performance.

While there are definitely more beginner-friendly mid-lengths out there, the TJ Pro Mid is versatile enough to teach someone to surf on – but still offers enough drive and performance to keep more experienced surfers frothing.

In Taylor’s words, he wanted to create something he could shred on but also hand to his 12-year-old daughter or his wife – and they’d all have a blast. And I think it’s fair to say he’s achieved it with this board!

 

 

Sizes & Volume Breakdown

The TJ Pro Mid is available in four sizes: 7’2″, 7’4″, 7’8″, and 8’0″.

I initially planned to ride the 7’2″ based on the volume (and comparing it to my Boss Up and Ova), but when I put it under my arm, it felt way more refined that than expected. At 185cm and 82kg, the 7’2″ just didn’t feel like enough board. So I stepped up to the 7’4″, and honestly, it’s been a perfect fit.

Don’t be afraid to size up. Even with the higher volume, the board still feels nimble and responsive underfoot. Want more glide and nose-riding fun? Go 7’8″ or 8’0″. Chasing performance and tighter turns? Stick to the 7’2″ or 7’4″.

Sizing this board will also come down to your skill level, weight and wave conditions too. Go bigger for lower end surfers or fatter, mushier waves. Size down if you’re lighter or surfing more punchier conditions.

• Wide Point: Just forward of center.

• Rocker: Medium entry and exit – gives it the paddle power and glide to handle punchy waves but still catches small stuff with ease.

• Rails: Fair warning – the rails are more pinched and performance-oriented than something like the Skindog Ova. But once you get it in the water, they’re surprisingly forgiving.

• Tail: Pulled-in pintail for maneuverability and control, especially in better surf. Super smooth rail to rail transitions.

Despite the performance touches, the TJ Pro Mid stays user-friendly across a wide range of surfers and conditions, so it’s definitely going to appeal to a big cross section of surfers

 

 

 

Where It Shines

I’ve surfed this board from thigh-high peelers to overhead punchy beach breaks, and it hasn’t skipped a beat. It paddles well, glides into waves with ease, and performs whether you’re on a cruisy point break or a more demanding beachie.

This board has serious range, even in the bigger sizes you can really push it and it handles late drops beautifully. Taylor even mentioned that if he had to only travel with one board, this would be it.

If you’re surfing small, weak waves, sizing up will help keep the glide going. In hollower, faster waves, drop down for added control.

 

 

Fin Setup

The TJ Pro Mid comes with a five-fin setup, giving you a wide range options to suit your style and conditions:

• Quad (my go-to): I used the Firewire Velox quad set, and it felt amazing – heaps of speed, solid control, and super flowy. No “locked-up” feeling you sometimes get with quads. I’m also going to test it out with the Machado quad set soon too as I think that would be a great pairing.

• Twin + trailer: Still to be tested – stay tuned.

• Single fin / Single + sidebites: I’ve only had a couple of session on this setup so far and it was in some fairly solid surf. Personally it felt a bit locked up in punchier waves, but I can see this being a great option on smaller days or in the bigger board sizes.

There’s a lot of room to play around with different fin setups and dial it in exactly how you like and to suit your personal style and the waves you’ll be riding.

 

 

Construction: Volcanic Durability

The board is built in Volcanic Ibolic construction, and I reckon that’s the best option for this shape.

Compared to the standard Ibolic tech, the Volcanic build gives the board better flex, more hold, and way more durability. It feels solid underfoot and holds up better over time – especially important with longer boards that get knocked around in travel and transit.

How It Surfs

From the first wave, I knew I’d end up buying this board. It has that longboard flow I love – smooth, gliding turns and effortless transitions from rail to rail.

The board feels buttery in everything from average beach break to head-high point surf. The quad setup delivers great drive through turns, cruises through dead sections, and lets you really link up your turns. You can push it or just flow – it adapts to your style and I really love the way this board surfs.

Even in softer surf, the Pro Mid keeps its speed and momentum. In better waves, it truly shines. It’s fun, forgiving, and offers a feeling underfoot that makes you feel like you’re surfing better – and honestly, that confidence goes a long way!

How It Compares to Other Mid-Lengths

• TJ Pro Mid vs. Boss Up:

• The Boss Up is the shortboarder’s mid-length – narrower nose, more pulled in, feels more like a stretched shortboard. Slightly easier to paddle though, which is a surprise!. But the Pro Mid has more longboard flow, wider body, and a friendlier feel overall.
  → Shortboarder stepping up? Go Boss Up.
  → Longboarder stepping down? Pro Mid wins.

• TJ Pro Mid vs. Skindog Ova:
  These boards look very similar, but they’re very different in the water. The Ova has softer 50/50 rails and feels more traditional. The Pro Mid’s pinched rails and tail make it more performance-driven. Fin setup is also key here – for my Ova the single and sidebites are the go, whilst the Pro Mid favours the quad setup.

 

 

 

Final Verdict

The Firewire TJ Pro Mid is an exceptional all-rounder. It blends paddle power, flow, and performance in a way few mid-lengths manage. It’s a board that can grow with your surfing, you can push through a huge range of waves and conditions, and still be mellow enough for those laid-back sessions.

If you’re after a mid-length that does it all and brings a huge grin to your face every session – this one’s worth serious consideration.

Have you surfed the TJ Pro Mid?

What’s Your Verdict?