Best Boards For Staying Upwind

fj40bryan · Since 20 Jul 2009 8 Posts Portland, Or Kook

Im fairly new to kiteboarding and am looking to get a new board soon, as mine is a little too small. Forgive me if this is a really basic question or people have asked this question many times before, but what boards are best for staying upwind? Twin tip/longer/wider boards? Or ...?

Also, Im about 190 lbs. Any recomendations for the correct length of boards?

Thanks! Bryan

Chooch · Mon Aug 02, 10 12:22 pm

Look for something in the 135-145cm range with a bit of rocker to help cut throught the chop.

Upwind riding is more about technique than equipment. All Kite specific boards will go upwind just fine...when choosing a board its more about looking for a board that suits your riding style. (carving/surf, Big Air, Wakestyle, etc)

fj40bryan · Since 20 Jul 2009 8 Posts Portland, Or Kook

So maybe my 133 Cabrinha Custom aint too bad for me... just a little small. I'll just practice with it for a while before getting something else.

Another possibly stupid question, but would my 142cm wakeboard work well also? I think it is a Liquid Force Omega.

Thanks Chooch!
Bryan

Chooch · Mon Aug 02, 10 3:00 pm

Custom will work fine...but yeah you should have the 138cm or 142cm

Some wakeboards work but they are a lot more difficult to ride upwind for a beginner. Wakeboards have more rocker than a traditional kiteboard.....the added rocker reduces the amount of effective edge you use in the water to edge upwind.

scottm · Since 12 Jun 2006 108 Posts Stoked

A long wide square flat board with sharp edges goes upwind the best (but is not the most forgiving). At 190 lbs I'd look for something in the 142-147cm range by 42-45cm wide. The bigger your board is, the better it goes upwind, especially in marginal conditions where the bigger board will glide through the holes. But the bigger board will get overpowered more easily as the wind picks up. I'm 225 lbs and have been kiting over a decade, and strongly prefer big boards. Another huge advantage is you can run a kite size smaller and a big board/small kite is much more fun than a small board/big kite.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Going up wind is possible on any board if you do it right. Before you pay money for a good board make sure you can go up wind without a board at all.

I've got a good used board for $250. PM me
Very Happy

fj40bryan · Since 20 Jul 2009 8 Posts Portland, Or Kook

Thanks for the advice guys. I am a bit broke right now as I just got done with a vacation, otherwise I might take you up on that board offer! Very Happy

-Bryan

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

push your back leg deeper and point your nose of the board way further up stream than you think your target is.

Most boards will go up wind . except maybe an old north dragon. Twisted Evil