Surfboard advice?

knuckledragger · Since 01 Aug 2010 14 Posts

I'm 70kg, 5.6 and wanting to try strapless with goal of surf by end of summer. I'd appreciate advice on length/style/brands of begginer boards to buy. Also are these kite specific boards dramatically different than short surfboards? Can you surf/kite with one board?

lloyd · Since 16 Aug 2007 108 Posts Hood River Stoked

Kind of a difficult question to answer. Surfboard shapes, as well as kitesurf boards, have really progressed and evolved through out the past couple of years. Boards are wider and shorter, 4 fin vs. 3 fin, epoxy vs. poly, wood stringer vs. carbon rails, straps vs. strapless. Some of the newer shapes are not yet tried and true yet.

For a simple answer, my first strapless surfboard was exactly that. A 6' 0" Al Merrick Flyer. Awesome shape, but as most true surfboards, is not built to with stand the forces of kitesurfing (Heel dents, etc.) Three years of riding that gave me a really good idea of what I wanted my next board to be. A Naish Global 5' 4".

Kiting gear is soooo expensive now. It makes it really difficult to gamble on a board you know nothing about. The kite manufactures have made it really difficult to pick a board because of the number of options to choose from.

My recommendation, buy a used short classic shaped surfboard, 6' 0" or shorter and try it out. You should be able to pick one up for $200 - $350. Based on your experience with that board you can go to the shop with a better idea of what you want, and sometimes more importantly, what you don't want. Length, rail thickness, width, construction type, fin set-up, and outline shape are all questions you will need answers to before purchasing a board. All of these characteristics effect how the board rides. Also be able to answer if you plan to use it for high wind, light wind, for the coast or for the gorge.

If you're local Hood River, you are more than welcome to try out my board. Shoot me a PM.

BigR · Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

sounds like you are looking for a custom kitesurfboard.

I would ask Art @ North Pacific Surfboards in Hood River @ 1020 Wasco

http://www.northpacificsurfboards.com/

your exact specifications.

He's been making custom surfboards and kitesurf boards for a long
time and can prolly tune a board specifically for your purpose

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

Well. I think some of the kite specific boards are stronger. It depends on what you get, but the new naish skater is made for strapless riding. It is super strong. It has a layer of pvc under the bamboo, which no other surfboard has.

If you get a surftech then the strongest construction they make is the tuflite.

I would not get a custom until you know more about what you want.

Depending what you mean by surf by end of summer, I think you might be a little optimistic. However if you just mean up and riding then fine.

I've been riding strapless for a long time and still don't think I'm even close to surfing the way I want to.

knuckledragger · Since 01 Aug 2010 14 Posts

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I'll try to find a used/beater 6.0 surfboard just to get my feet wet.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

make sure it is a epoxy board. do not try to learn to paddle surf on it. It will be to short and very frustrating.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

you're all wrong. it's all about finding a cheap glass board in the 5'10" range and rocking it. The whole point of going strapless is to get a real surf feel but what all kite manufacture "surfboards" fail to do is make a decent surfboard.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted