Surfboard durability and strapless air

dcfordo · Since 19 May 2011 60 Posts The Dalles

As I am beginning to go pretty high on my strapless airs, my boards are starting to break. I can usually land softly enough, but occasionally I misjudge and hit too hard, which is becoming an expensive problem. As I increase my skill I hope I will get smoother, but I can't just go through 10 boards in the meantime.

How do you, who go big strapless, deal with this?

Do certain brands or constructions work? I could have a super strong board made, but I am afraid it wouldn't be light enough to jump.

Has anyone reinforced the area under the front foot with a layer of glass?

1surfer · Sun Aug 04, 13 7:47 am **Boards**

I tend to break a lot of boards. Its sort of what I do. I have been buying the older Slingey boards with the track in them and like those. I use them strapless but the construction combined with the track seems to make them pretty much indestructible. Good shapes too. Some people think they are heavy but they are super strong and you cant have both. I dont mind the extra weight if it means extra strength. Because of that construction they may not absorb as much shock as lighter more flexible boards so I need to run front and back pads on them or I feel like I'm riding around on a sidewalk. I really like them with the pads and the track. You can also just cover the track with the pads. Although Slingey can never seem to get a shipment right. I have never actually gotten one correct shipment. Always missing at least one critical item like a fin or strap screws. Even though I dont use straps I paid for the screws so I would like to at least receive them. They make good bolts to hold the license plate on trucks. Usually its more than one item that is missing and sometimes they go to the totally wrong address. I still think it's worth putting up with the space cadet shipping to get one of those. I have quite a few. cant seem to break one. Cudos on the board quality, Duh on the shipping. Laughing

AndyD · Since 17 Mar 2008 54 Posts Bend, OR

I don't ride strapless much but ride surfboards 99% of the time. While they do not have the "feel" of traditional surfboards I have found that Naish Skater and Global to be very durable boards (2012 construction and newer). I thrive on throwing big strapped dangly airs and have a 100+ days on the Skater. For local light wind days I ride an Airush Sector 54 v3. It's proven very durable as well. I'm 205lbs, ride mostly in Puget Sound with the odd trip to Manzo, Maui and the Gorge.

Not sponsored by anybody but hard work.

dcfordo · Since 19 May 2011 60 Posts The Dalles

I have a feeling that as people get better at jumping strapless this will become a bigger and bigger problem. When this happens I'm sure the board makers will figure it out. But in the meantime, any other ideas?

Bargeslayer · Since 08 Jul 2012 100 Posts Stoked

I've tried reinforcing boards with epoxy and layers of cloth over the deck with minimal success. I think the trick is to either find a bombproof but heavy board like the ones mentioned above or to find cheap lighter boards that aren't as costly to destroy on a regular basis. I snapped a slingshot tyrant yesterday at manzo, but this board was definitely on the lighter side , so there you go.

1surfer · Sun Aug 04, 13 8:15 am

1surfer · Sun Aug 04, 13 8:22 am **Costs**

Also, dont have the illusion that ANY of the larger kite manufactures are making boards for the riders. At this point they are making them with the best method that will pay off their HUGE bank notes the fastest so they can get a new loan and get their way too many SKU's to the show on time.

Those NSP surfboards are priced correctly and very very strong.
When I burn through all my Slingey boards I will prolly go to NSP. When you combine their great product line-up with quality construction and "CORRECT" pricing, it equals a happy customer who will most likely return to them. Perhaps Im wrong about them but thats what Im seeing.

Never seen one of those boards in 2 pieces either.

I mean I know that plenty of other product comes out of that factory, but I'm just sayi'n ....

aksurfer · Since 30 Aug 2010 92 Posts Anchorage, AK

I've been riding epoxy construction surfboards made by Pyzel with a bamboo deck and having good results. Not bombproof but they are holding up well and aren't very heavy. You could definitely go to a denser foam for more strength but the weight will obviously increase.

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 615 Posts Addicted

there is a new wax called punt, i think that will solve your problem. stuff is like invisible velcro, just don't touch the board to ANYTHING else....

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

I still ride a 2005 jimmy lewis surfboard (a tufflite type of sandwich build).
Don't do particularly big jumps but 2005 was a while ago....
The board is ok, certainly not incredible, does not have much flex.

retz · Since 06 Aug 2007 132 Posts west linn Stoked

Ever think about a SS carbon board? I've been riding mine for 4 summers, strapless, been doing fairly big airs for 2 summers......thing looks brand new still. It does have the track, which I've never used for straps but I see how it could strengthen the board. Yes they are pricey but not over the life of the board. Keep boosting!!

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

I have the same problem. Boards don't last. I rode a Doyle Custom and really enjoyed it. The build is solid and from what I hear they last. I don't own one so can't speak directly to their strength. However, they are expensive. But another option.

http://www.doylesports.com/

I have an additional layer of 6oz S glass to the impact areas on my board. I have had some success with this on poly boards. I tend to stay away from traditional epoxy boards as the EPS core is death to a board with any water contact.

I have a poly board with a higher density foam that has held up very well. A bit heavy but still has a surfboard feel. Again, another option.

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

Tuflite and TL2 is the way to go if you're not going to buy a kitesurf-specific board from a manufacturer or shaper (Doyle boards are bomber).

I have 3 TL2's/Tuflites and even if you expose the core, they don't absorb water. My 6'2" TL2 has an extra layer of glass under the feet and is still strong after 3+ seasons. My 6'0" Tuflite is virtually indestructible but doesn't have as nice as a surfy feel as the TL2's. I jump strapless a lot and land flat more than I want to. I cringe but so far I haven't snapped one of my boards, and I'm not the heaviest kiter or going the biggest.

On the coast you are going to beat your board up more getting out through the break than jumping because your feet are on the board with a lot of constant pressure and beating on the board as you motor out over the waves, the pic below shows where I put the fabric, but I glassed it across the width from about 1' from the nose through the hips.

You can pick these up pretty cheap used or new.

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 664 Posts Addicted

Just cracked my slingshot dialer (older board with the track). Board cracked just north of the metal slider (directly behind the front strap). Board only cracked on the top about 8" into the board.

I'm a heavy kiter (255 lbs) that likes pretty big air (30 ft plus). So the fact that I haven't broken this board earlier is actually kudos for SS.

I just bought a tyrant (this board is light) and have had a few sessions on it. Haven't broken it yet.... Am afraid to grab much air in gusty conditions...

Yesterday I cut out the crack and threw a bunch of fiberglass at it. About as ugly as can be, however I hope it holds. I really love that Dialer... It cuts upwind like nothing else, and you can power carve it way harder than the tyrant.

I like the tyrant too (more fun on the waves, just can't power carve it).

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

do you guys have any recommendations on any how-to videos on how to throw down strapless airs?

Sella · Tue Aug 06, 13 10:14 am

DownWindRun · Since 15 Mar 2010 55 Posts Vancouver

Strapless how to videos by Sick Nick.

http://vimeo.com/sicknick/videos

Strapless Air

http://vimeo.com/14041276

I am pretty sure I have gotten the fins out of the water. Its the landing that usually gets me!

Nick, thanks for the videos! They are a great help to a strapless kook like me.