what do you think ....

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Hey all
I am considering buying a new kiteboard and have a question .
Some info : I have a IKO level 3 , Big deal eh ! but you know I can ride anyway .
I'm 51 and love the sport .185 lbs , 6'1" . I snowboard and wakeboard as well . I dont get out enough , as thats how life is .
We have mostly gusty conditions here in Alberta ( Edm. )
I have a 12m Waroo and a 9m Waroo a 159 door and a 128 rip . also a 13m extacy flysurfer foil for the snow . I ride a 164 snowboard .
I have taken trips to SPI , Haterras , Gorge and the Oregon coast ( while still a beginner ) St Lucia ( completed IKO here ) and Squamish B.C .
I can handle some waves and chop pretty good and like popping off the top of waves ( little ones eh ) etc. and large swells are a real rush . Carving and toeside are not a problem as I try to ride switch a lot when snowboarding and on the wake .
Our lakes develop a steady flow of wave after wave with not much room in between so it gets rough . I plan on another Oregon coast trip this spring . So an all around board sounds good . I don't want a multipurpose tool thats only a little good for everything but not real good for anything . Big expense eh !
Ok getting to the point , I'm thinking that a 140 x 40 Mako freeride would work . It's in between the two boards I have now lengthwise . Sounds like it gets good reviews and I can use it in small waves .
I have been reading stuff on this site for quite some time and would appreciate input from you all

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Can't see how you could go wrong with that board.

May want to also pick up a skim board - they can be fun. Great practice for riding directionals - which you might dig.

kss · Since 24 Apr 2006 614 Posts pdx Addicted

Paul S raves about the makos and has a couple. maybe he'll chime in... or at least PM him. (pauls)

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

Never ridden the board - but I did want to chime in on the size. I am 185 pounds - and 137 seems to be the money size for me as far as an all around board goes. And 3cm isn't all that much of a difference - but it is noticeable.

But with that being said - the board looks fun - you may want to try it out - and if you don't like it - sell it.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Apr 26, 09 11:31 pm

heard good things about the mako. JL model III is also a very nice all around board. If your going to play in the surf though..nothing beats a surf board.

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

How do you size JL III? Is there any resource available out there? At almost 200lb, I guess I should choose between 133cm and 139. Currently I ride 137 Custom, and the board feels a bit large.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Apr 27, 09 9:16 am

you definitely want the 139. They are rather narrow boards. I am around your weight and had the 133. It rode great but I really needed to be powered up on it. Fantastic board, it has a really cool combination of sticking to the water like glue (I think due to the chinned rails and concave but it was also skatey and smooth thanks to the small fins.

Ultimately I sold the board because I wanted something with more pop. Last thing, the boards are fairly delicate b/c they are epoxy construction. not delicate like your going to break it on the water, delicate like shit, I just chipped the edge getting it out of the car.