kite specific surfboard- advice

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

I'm trying to collect intel for a kite specific board for next season. I currently use a regular PU 6' surfboard with thruster setup. I've added Dakine foot straps as well. Once on a wave I enjoy surfing the wave more than being super powered up by the kite. I've spent some time talking to different salesmen who bring up important considerations when choosing a board, but in the end they make the argument why I should choose theirs (can't blame them).

I'm looking for an all-round strapped board for moderate to small surf that can handle some controlled jumps. I also want one that's not too harsh on the knees when it's rough out there. After testing a few epoxy boards, I definitely appreciate the softness of the surfboard. But my problem with my surfboard is that the footstraps have come off a couple times and I don't trust them in the bigger surf anymore.

What I've been told:

"Don't get one that's too stiff with epoxy or all bamboo because your knees will hate you." I get that but haven't tried bamboo yet.

"Get one with more volume so you can surf the wave more. But not too big or you won't be able to get out through the lineup or get up wind if you're point-sailing." Really? A 5'8" fish won't work in staying upwind or in bigger surf.

"Thuster if you're a downwinder of quad if you point-sail. Or, it doesn't matter"

I'm 6' and 175#- "you need to go 5'8"-6', no bigger. At least 18" wide but much wider and you won't be able to point-sail." Too wide and upwind abilities are hurt, even with a quad?

While not trying to start a thread in who has the best board, can anyone give me opinions on the following boards?

Naish Global 5'10"- is it too stiff?
North Wam 5'10"- not enough volume?
RRD Maquina 5'10"- too thin or maybe won't handle the jumps? also, no local dealers for me, but I do like what I've "read".
Firewires- can't figure out which one would work

I know they're all great boards and that there are many others of equal merit. But without the ability to test them out, just looking for some thoughts on the better match for me. Trying to find objective reviews on the internet is difficult.

Cheers

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

I'm 200lbs, have three boards, here's what I found.

5'8" x 17.6 x 2.0 PU thruster - Too small to be a good coast board for me. Works great in steady wind, but if wind isn't good, I spend too much time working upwind, and it needs too much kite power on the wave. I now use this board in the Gorge, it's perfect for Gorge conditions. And I love the soft feel of PU, easy on the knees.

5'8" x 18.25" x 2.5" epoxy quad fish - better board for coast, but still has problem holding ground in flukey wind. Stiffer than PU, but the better pads help make it a comfortable ride. When the wind is steady, this board rocks in small/medium surf, especially strapless, but sometimes I put the straps on to help drive the board faster (helps to get upwind). It has noticeable volume, I'd prefer a bit less.

6'2 x 18.5 x ?? epoxy thruster - best board for coast for me. this board doesn't need as much power to stay on a plane, allows me to easily hold ground and ride/feel the wave. Works great in med to large waves. On smaller waves it's OK, but the turns feel long / drawn-out compared to the slashy fish. Board is REALLY light and stiff, I use thick pads to soften it, at first without the pads it was making my front knee sore.

and I tried a friend's board this summer:

5'8 x 18.5" x ?? epoxy thruster - wow, that extra 1/4" in width really helped me, I'd rather have this board than my fish, was a little wider and thinner, just worked better for me.

So, from my experience, to get that surfy feel and easy glide, look at the width (for me at least 18.5"). And keep the board thin (like 2.25") to avoid having it feel too floaty, and make sure it has good pads if it's epoxy.

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

Dude, you are way over thinking this one. You obviously are not an expert rider, so almost anything is going to work. You are right to not want too big or too small a board though. A fish is definitely NOT what you want. Try a board around 5'10 to 6'0, preferably with a quad/thruster setup. Just tweaking the fin setup gives you 2 different boards. Also, epoxy boards now are pretty much close to the flex of a PU/especially the wood or bamboo ones. I ride a 6'0 North WAM and weigh 250, so a 5'10 would be pretty good for you.

Also, what the hell is point sailing? I think you might mean down the line? Please clarify, never heard the term. Good luck getting a board.

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

Thanks for the feedback so far.

Overthinking? Boards are fricken expensive and I've already ridden several that were weak in performance and/or riding compatibility. And I'm definitely no expert which is why I'm asking for tips from more experienced kiters like yourself. Sorry if "point sailing" was confusing. I picked up the term from other sailors referring to the idea of kiting from one point versus a downwinder. I referred to "point sailing" as needing to constantly crank upwind after "riding down the line" so as to return to the same point, or same break.

While I understand that topics like this may feel about as boring as tits to a some out there, this shit is what really matters to the newer kiters. This forum is awesome for exchanging just such information even though it may be a bit dry for the "expert" rider.

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Any contemporary epoxy kite/surfboard in the 5'-8" to 6' length by 18 1/2" to just under 19" will work just fine. 3 or 4 fins each have advantages and minor drawbacks depending more on waves and wind that you are usually riding in at your home spots. Just buy one and ride it alot till you know it really well before really rethinking what would be the best board for you. You need to get some experience with one board so you can use it as a benchmark to what may work best for you.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Whats wrong with your current board - aside from the foot straps...

This one looks good
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-24656.html

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

My input:

Firstly, I live in Hood River, so I almost exclusively kite in the river - which can have some pretty damn good swell, but it is definitely different than the coast. Anyway, I agree with you that boards are freaking expensive, and it helps to get unbiased input. I'm 6'3" and 200lbs. For what it is worth:

My first surfboard was a 2005 Slingshot SRT (5'10)": terrible. Probably would work in the surf, but the round-pin and narrow template was not fun at all.

Next board = 2011 North WAM 5'10". It was super convenient to have five fin boxes and be able to switch from Thruster to quad. The board was really good - tended to make more drawn-out turns. I really liked the board - good quality and durable. Then I tried a friend's 5'8" Slingshot Celeritas.

I sold the WAM immediately upon trying the Celeritas. To me, the Celeritas felt like everything I ever wanted in a surfboard. It goes upwind like crazy, planes quickly and is simply incredible on the wave. It slashes with ease (The WAM took very specific weighting to get it to slash). I think the North WHIP is probably similar to the Celeritas. Anyway, I would have thought with the relatively wide & tick tail, it would not perform like it does. I highly recommend trying one. It blew my mind.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

If you are trying to select the "one board" that will do everything, you will be disappointed. I have four different directionals, a 5'5", 5'9", and two 6'1"'s. Now, I am not riding any river swell, as I live in SoCal, and strictly ride in the ocean, so take it for what it's worth, but these boards have different purposes for me. I mainly ride the 6'1"'s when I need more volume for when the wind is light. When I have a little more power, I like the 5'9", and when it is victory at sea out there, big chop on the water, I ride the 5'5".

All of my boards are thrusters. I tried quads, and although they go up wind well, I don't like the way they surf on a wave. Since I am kiting to ride waves, and not go up wind, I prefer three fins. Yes, getting up wind is important, but not as important to me as surfing the wave the way I want to. You're experience may vary.

Mostly for me it's about the feel of the board, and the abuse from the chop. A smaller board has less surface area to beat you up from the chop, that's why the 5'5" is my choice when it gets really rough out there. The 5'9" has the best feel for me though, it is 1.75" thick, and 17.25" at the tail. Much lighter and skatier feel than the 6'1", which is 2.25" and 18.75".

Another prerequiste for me is a single to double concave bottom. All of my boards have these characteristics, which I feel are the best performing boards for kiting. Again, your mileage may vary on this. It's all about personal preference.

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

Find a board and ride it.

If you don't like it, find a different one.

Seriously, it's that simple. You're way dorking out on this one.

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

And someone will always buy your old board.

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

In six years I have owned 11 different surfboards.
I only have one surfboard right now. 5'6" SKILLIT

I find as you progress your needs and wants change, your style and over all comfort on the board change based on your skill/experience and/or the conditions.

The theory is if you want to get good at something then do it. Ride what you got or want or think you want to ride. You will like the board you chose for a while or until you think you want a different style of board.

You really need to session the board to figure out if its what you are really looking for.
Is it to heavy, to light, to slow, to fast, to twitchy, or to stable. Once you really figure boards out and your style you will gravitate towards certain shapes. Its kind of like finding the right girl friend for you.

Surfboards are alot like women, they are all fun to ride and they all do it a little bit different and its hard to ride just one surfboard
I love me some surfboards they are so damn sexy

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

Wow. I'm in awe at the depth of responses here from a very experienced crew. Thanks for the schooling. I think I'm leaning towards a 5'10"ish board from a local shop that will cover most conditions to start and add a board later (if needed) depending on my preferred style of riding. The information passed on here is most generous.

Thanks again!

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

Durability is a big deal when you kite strapped to a good board. I kite strapped and strapless. Mostly strapped as I like to jump.

The big thing in board choice for me is how it feels strapless. Quad fins are easier to tack, or rotate on axis easier. Tri fins are really stable on bottom turns, but don't spin as easy.

If you like to kite slightly underpowered your going to put more pressure on your board.

If you like to kite over powered a bit, you will be lighter on your board.

Take that into account when demoing boards that are "flexible"vrs "stiff" as it may mean a broken;buckled board.

If you wanna demo some strapless boards pm me...

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

It seems from the collective wisdom offered from the many experienced kiters above that a good allround board for me would be 5'10"-6', at least 18.5 wide and have durable construction. That leaves out the Global, Wam and Slingshot boards- all my local options. Now I know why initially couldn't make a decision.

Also, is there really no strong, flexible kiting surfboard out there that won't smooth out the bumps on those nuking days?

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

Wams have a nice flex to them. I know the designer and he says during flex tests they differ only slightly from PU boards. I find mine stiffer, but it is still the same flex as when I bought it. I mostly surf, and replace my PU surfboards after about 100 sessions(if they last that long) as they feel dead and unresponsive compared to when they were new. No worries about that with epoxy.