Swell board

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

Looking for a new board to renew my interest in swell riding...

It seems to me that standard surfboard setups are way too draggy for legit planning on river swell. Sure you can carve around but you are just being drug around by your kite not planning off the swell. I've been able to plane past my kite on my skimboard on river swell but looking for something more manageable.

So wondering about non-typical surfboard setups like this one and how well they work? http://ride.slingshotsports.com/2011-Coupe-510-Twin-Fin?sc=45&category=30417

I think I tried wakesurfers and they didn't feel like they had enough drive to be interesting. Skimboards have drive because they have hard edges. Hmmm...

I'd still keep my 6 foot thruster for coast trips, so it'd be a dedicated swell board. I used to have a quad and it was OK but still not quite what I am looking for.

Ideas? I asked a similar question three years ago and still am wondering... http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-8767.html

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

Phil-

You gotta give the LF Kitefish a try!! http://liquidforcekites.com/product/boards/kiteboards/kite-fish/

This is a GREAT crossover board!! Has more of a skim rocker and 3 smaller fins- so won't have all that drag issues of a full surfboard. Wide and flat outline make it super easy to plane- both in lightwind and on swell face. 5'3" size makes it sit well in the pocket.

Stock, with the small fins, you can break them free quite easily on a top turn slash, adding more of a big wave surf slash feel to small non breaking river swell!

Can be tuned with other fins. Pepi rides his with bigger surf style fins for more drive.

I have a demo, as does 2nd wind.. so let me know when you want to jump on one!

Rides best strapless.. but comes with inserts and footstraps.

Best part- it's a quiver builder board- and priced at only $349!!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

I like smaller boards for river swell 5'5 - narrow is fun if you have the wind

no issue planning when its blowing 30 to 50 for a few hours - the 4.5 RPM makes those days for me...

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

remember the swell pig? Ahead of it's time, I'm sure.

I designed this update but lost interest in building boards.

I'm done mixing resin and sanding but I'd license my CAD files to someone and maybe even machine some cores and molds.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1490 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

when the swell is good - dont need much board or kite

nearly there right now...

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 538 Posts Oregon Addicted

I have a SS Arcane in a 5'6". I think the 5.0 would be sick for river swell. would need some real surf fins if you want lots of drive. Would double as a killer light wind board.

mystery curd · Since 14 Jun 2010 98 Posts Floating

Wait, would a big longboard surfboard work better for swell, like a stand up paddle or 8 foot longboard, maybe with lots of volume?
Or, it seems lots of people are thinking 5 footer kite specific fish boards with a thruster set up.
I'd like to really get the surf feel and really loose all pull from the kite.

I was thinking about this while I was kiting the hatch yesterday. Thought about trying a like an 8 foot-ish surfboard if anything just to say I tried it and of course look kooky. If I did I would of course have to wear cut off jean shorts while on the river.

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

You don't need a lot of volume / size if you have low rocker. Its how skim boards work, they are nearly flat.

Hein - yes that would be nice. I won't hold my breath tho Wink

I remember that board was a perfect wakesurfer, massive sweet spot.

Tekko - that board is intriguing, will have to set up a demo with Pepi. I am kind of breaking my own rule of speculating on boards online without just demoing, but I am sitting here chained to my desk with no exit in sight today Very Happy

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Too bad you were chained to your desk today because there was some FAT SWELL today.
Im telling you the 5'6" Skillit f_en ROCKS THE SWELL!!!!!!!

The closests thing to surfing would be surfing and thats what was going on today.

Not only do you want a board with low rocker so it will actually surf the "Rollers" but you also want it shaped so that you can RIP the shit out of the swell pumping your board to gain more speed and head for the bottom. Hard bottom turn and SMACKAGIWIA up top, repeat until your legs give out on you.

Ride as many boards as you can but dont ask to ride my Skillit cause I dont want to get off of it when its really really good.

scottm · Since 12 Jun 2006 108 Posts Stoked

Check out the Firewire El Fuego 5'5 or 5'7. Very flat with very little rocker, the board flies (I've passed plenty of twin tips in the Gorge) but is super turny too. Best surfboard I've tried for kiting, and several friends have gotten one and say the same thing.

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

El Fuegos are mean. I have seen guys surfing them in tiny waves getting insane speed.