Surfboard

j.b.chase · Since 12 Jul 2010 1 Posts New Member

thinking about getting a surfboard and was wondering does it really matter all that much to get a board made by a kite company rather than just a normal shortboard??

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

kite specfic surfboards are typically made with materials that make it stronger. Heal denting, hits from the bar and the harness are common "injuries" to surfboards/kiteboards. You certainly can use a surfboard made for surfing.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

Don't forget about broken fins and blown out boxes.

Edging hard upwind while kiting loads the fins way more than surfing.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Jul 12, 10 3:57 pm

in summary, get a surfboard designed for kites. You'll be much happier

Smile

nickdward · Since 11 Aug 2008 130 Posts Seattle Stoked

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

If you gonna go strpless on a surfboard your best bet is buy a used board, or go new on a surfboard. PM me and I show you what I mean.

If you buy a kite specific board you'll pay big time.

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

The problem with kite-specific surboards is that they always come with two annoying carrying handles on the deck that get in the way. If you get one, make sure to take them and discard them immediately.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

I feel the opposite

The production kite-surf boards I've tried are very tracky and are not loose at all
and some of the surfbords are too(made for speed)
It's like they design them to go upwind (which they do )

I'm riding a 5'8" Jeff"doc" Lawson Surf Prescriptions "New Toy"
I read somewhere he was shaper of the year last year (big deal)
It rides well ,going out to windward holds a decent line
Is very loose on a wave

I think the key is short ,fat in width. I prefer a quad because the are made to ride on edge like a kiteboard , the small fins do not give much lift but hold well enough on edge

It's an evil Surftech ,I bought it used for $350 ,after a couple of years and some limited jumping it has no dents of any kind
I keep waiting for the nose to break off going through waves Rolling Eyes

I'm pretty heavy for the average kiter at 210 lbs and the dude I bought it from is a big dude and a hard rider he had it for half a season.
I think either it's pretty tough or they made a mistake on this one

TheKerrKid · Since 02 Jul 2009 226 Posts Stoked

from what i have heard,

you should go with an Underground Kite Specific Surfboard

they perform like a surfboard, but are as sturdy as a kiteboard

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

Everybody likes different things, but a kite specific board will be more durable, in general, than a regular board. The thing is, you won't really know what you like, until you try out different boards.

You need to think about what it is you want to do with the surfboard. Why do you want one? To ride waves; river swell; for light wind? Your weight comes into play here as well.

To say "you should get this board or that board" is pretty ignorant, knowing that you haven't answered any of the questions above.

I have ridden a bunch of different boards, and found a few that work well for me. Have I ridden every board out there? No, not possible, but I've tried to figure out what I think I might like, bought a few, sold a few, and settled on what I think works.

The thing about this sport, it all comes down to personal preference.

Chooch · Tue Jul 13, 10 8:24 am

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

I am now addicted to surfboards, and have more than I care to discuss. My favorites are some kite specific from SS. My kids, however, love a 6'2" surfboard shaped by Tony Logosz back in 2001, that is a tri with the rear fin busted out, looks like it has been through a few wars and lost every one, and is affectionately named, "Ghetto Board"... Every time they use one of mine they want to remove fins... I like DRIVE, they like SKATE.

It all comes down to personal preference.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 13, 10 9:57 am

Pete nailed it. My only suggestion is to nut up and try it without the straps FIRST!

You may be surprised how good all that freedom feels.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

windpig · Since 28 Aug 2008 283 Posts Obsessed

I've been rockin a 5'10" rusty epoxy thruster. It does everything any "kite surf board" does except I picked it up for $180 used. I keep thinking I'm going to break it but it just keeps going. I weigh about 220 and I take in the surf, strapless air etc. Still going. I have it set up with a Dakine traction pad in the rear and Dakine long board pads in the front. Highly recommend that set up. lots of room for your feet to move around and no wax to worry about. My 2 cents... Kite specific surfboards are WAY overpriced.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

you need to find a board with a nose, a tail and some fins.

They all suck, actually, except for my trusty concave decked
4lb 6-0 quad that I've been riding for 3 years. But it's OK
because you'll never ride it so you'll never know how insanely
better it is.

If you want something close and don't mind shelling out some
dough. Get a Coil