Free style/Wake style board questions

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

I'm finally getting good enough to start doing some more wake style tricks. Definitely by next season I will need a new board to support that. My thought was that I wanted a smaller/light board with some flex that would get good pop and not weigh be down. Drew was telling me at SI the other day though that smaller might not actually be better. Also I want straps; I don't really care for boots while kite boarding.

What is the conventional wisdom as far as these types of boards go. Particularly I'm wondering what size I should be looking for and what other characteristics help e.g. flex, rocker, etc. I was thinking of getting a 130cm F-One Acid as my next board, if anyone has any experience with that or can give me an indication from the description on their site as to if that will be a good board I would appreciate it.

tpcramer · Since 26 Jul 2010 71 Posts

132 or 135 Xenon Laluz

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

Go one board size bigger at least when you throw boots on the board . Most of us 180lbers ride ~140x40 range

forrest · Mon Aug 22, 11 11:08 am

The whole point of boots is to ride a bigger board. With a bigger board you can load against more water. You don't want to go too big though, as you won't be able to get the board deep enough when you're loading. If you're not riding boots then something in the low 130s will do you fine. Protect your face when you fall. I was just throwing a raley in straps, and having the board fly at me is what knocked my teeth out.

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

Good to know Forrest.

I know I like being able to ditch the board if I accidentally send the kite wrong. Also I have heard that boots tend to cause knee issues. Is that true?

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

I would say that riding boots has actually made me feel safer about my knees and ankles. Nothing shittier than having one foot come out and the board start twisting up the ankle and knee of the leg still in the other footstrap. For an old guy, landing blind when powered up is truly frightening in footstraps.

If you coming in hot in boots, just pull up the landing gear and skid in safely on your ass...

Bams

Jackson Bros · Since 06 Aug 2011 9 Posts Hood River Kook

I would defiantly look into the 135 xenon lazuz. Its super light and delivers unreal pop. This company only makes kite boards, not kites, so they focus all there energy into the boards and it shows. pop well and stop well. Look into it.

TheKerrKid · Since 02 Jul 2009 226 Posts Stoked

http://nwkite.com/forums/t-23513.html

Either one of these would be awesome

I personally prefer the influence but the DLX is a great board too, the price on these boards is unbeatable, I would hope on one of these for sure.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Boots or not, I'd try to go a bit bigger on the board 132 and up.

So easy to demo boards... I'd try a few before you make the jump.

If you ride straps I'd recommend NSI straps with double stuff foot pads. I've had mine for like 4 years now and they are still doing great.

On boots... if you really want to focus on wake, sliders, and pushing yourself then its the way to go. But its not everyone's cup of tea.

I have a boots board and I ride it depending on conditions. There are benefits as folks have said for getting softer landings, and it makes riding the slider park 10x easier. You will be way more proud of your wakestyle in boots than with straps, especially if you see yourself in a photo (just doesn't work as good without boots.)

If you don't care and you just want to kook out boosting transitions and busting weak front rolls then go straps Very Happy

(like me

)

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

But I need to keep my straps so I can kook out with the sweet board-offs.

kitezombie · Since 22 Oct 2008 32 Posts NorCal