Brandwave

Firewire vs Torq:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Firewire had more branded searches than Torq among surfboard brands in New Zealand. Firewire had about 140 branded searches, while Torq had 110. Firewire made up 26.4% of all surfboard brand searches we track, and Torq accounted for 20.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about surfboard brands, Torq appeared in four of the five answers and Firewire in two. Torq was mentioned before Firewire in three out of five answers.

Among surfboard brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Firewire, about 27% more searches than Torq

Firewire 140 searchesTorq 110 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Torq, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Firewire in 2

Torq in 4 of 5Firewire in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Torq, named ahead of Firewire in 3 of 5 answers

Torq first in 3Firewire first in 2

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Top surfboard brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Torq was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Firewire was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Torq was listed before Firewire in three out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. JS Industries1st
  2. Firewire2nd
  3. Ocean & Earth2nd
  4. Torq4th
  5. Pyzel5th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • JS Industries4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Torq4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Pyzel2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Firewire2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Ocean & Earth2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about surfboard brands

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Firewire or Torq more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Firewire and Torq by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five surfboard brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Firewire and Torq among surfboard brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Firewire, Torq. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPyzelFirewireJS IndustriesTorqOcean & Earth
Oct 202529.6%25.9%20.4%20.4%3.7%
Nov 202524.7%23.3%19.2%30.1%2.7%
Dec 202530.3%22.4%18.4%26.3%2.6%
Jan 202627.7%27.7%14.9%27.7%2.1%
Feb 202631%31%16.7%20.2%1.2%
Mar 202628.6%39.8%17.3%13.3%1%
Apr 202633%33%21.6%11.3%1%
May 202635.7%39.8%17.3%6.1%1%
Jun 202640.5%28.4%18.9%10.8%1.4%
Jul 202637.3%28.8%18.6%13.6%1.7%
Aug 202636.2%36.2%15.5%10.3%1.7%
Sep 202630.2%26.4%20.8%20.8%1.9%

How has the Firewire and Torq comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Torq took it in November 2025, Firewire took it in February 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Firewire’s share of searches among surfboard brands in New Zealand moved from 25.9% to 26.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 140.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Torq’s share of searches among surfboard brands in New Zealand moved from 20.4% to 20.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 110.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand surfboard brands in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Torq gained share of searches among surfboard brands in New Zealand, from 10.3% to 20.8%.

  2. In September 2026, Firewire lost share of searches among surfboard brands in New Zealand, from 36.2% to 26.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Firewire’s and Torq’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Firewire

1 branded search term

  • firewire surfboard

Torq

2 branded search terms

  • torq surfboard
  • torq surfboards

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among surfboard brands

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