Surfboard Kite Size Combo's

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts I give out bad advice.

What's the biggest board you have used with a kite? I'm thinking that this year I'm going to try an 8-6 tri fin with a small kite and see what happens. I might even try a 6 meter with a SUP.
I remember reading about a guy in SoCal doing something similar on a long board and a big kite in light winds.
Have any of you NWkiter folks done a similar combo?

Oh yea, the deadline on the spring passes to meadows is 2/28/10, it's $149 and goes up $30 after that.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

works - not super fun (sailing in 6kts is possible - but probably time to surf or just paddle the thing)

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

oh yeah, it is sweet on our mushy yunk on da coast...

here's a utube vid

Link

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

I've ridden an 8' longboard that was alright. Not sure why you'd need to resort to that in the Gorge though.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts I give out bad advice.

Ya know the older I get the less extreme I'm becoming. For example, I love to kite a 12mtr. on a surfboard in flat water. Don't get me wrong I can light up an 8mtr. and go strapless a rufus too, but I like to cruise.
I think this year I want to explore the coast with a little bit larger board and not straps.
I'm ready for summer!

snowmeltriver · Since 21 May 2006 102 Posts Little Kentucky Stoked

In Los Barrilies I have ridden a 9 ft longboard with a 14m T2 and done some serious cruising. Even been pretty far out with the whales at sunset. Way fucking better than another pacifico on a light/no wind day. Although I think a beer holder would be pretty easy to rig up- then you could have both.

I have also ridden the same longboard at the hatchery with an 9m in the swell. When you get back on a 6', you feel like a superhero. I rode a 11 foot SUP with an 11 at the hatch. Almost no wind and I went to Viento and back. Really fun- kinda brings the nature back into the sport.

The big board big kite cruising thing is really fun but wouldn't want to make a steady diet of it. I would like to kite the whole oregon coast outside of the break with a drybag of gear if anyone is interested in an adventure.

The only problem I have is the serious lower back compression of a steady pulling kite while standing on a huge fatty. It definately makes my kayaking destroyed back hurt.

Good luck- so many ways to enjoy the sport.

Sella · Fri Feb 26, 10 4:16 pm

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Ron,
It's easy...just get a bunch of boards and ride the right one for the conditions.
Big boards and big kites have their place and so do short boards with small kites.
I like my 6'2" with a 9m best so far.

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 440 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Here is a good example, 5'6" board with a 14m RPM on a closed out day. Ride the right board/kite combination for the right conditions. Ben was killing it.

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

I used a 9'0 surfboard with a 12m on light wind days at the coast one summer, it was a lot of fun and a great way to learn strapless.

My lightwind/longboard setup is now a 7'6 with a 10m or 12m. The 9'0 is like a supertanker to me now.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

just get a stand up paddle board with a trainer...sick!!!

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth