beginner friendly directional board?

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

I want to get a light wind, directional board that’s beginner friendly with regard to learning strapless riding. I’ve narrowed it down to two boards, the LF Kite fish and LF twinskim just by reading reviews online and forum chatter.

Reviews online seem to be positive for both but I guess I was looking for some local feedback on which one would be a good starter board for learning to ride a strapless directional board. Good light performance is also important to me because I’m growing tired of sitting on shore with my TT in hand watching folks kite.

Also, are there other boards out there that I should consider?

thank you in advance

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

jerp - it depends on your weight - but check out the ocean rodeo mako king. IT was designed to be versitile. You can ride it with straps. Without straps. Directional or non-directional.

If you are a beginner and looking to get into light wind - I think the measurement is 150 - so that will give you plenty of float (with our without the straps).

The advantage is you can ride the board strapless as a directional - or as a TT. If you are just starting out switching directions can be pretty tough. This board can help you through the learning curve.

eabmoto · Since 10 May 2012 123 Posts seattle Stoked

I don't think you can go wrong with a kite fish. Especially for the price. I learned to kite with one from the beginning. Changing direction and switching my feet was pretty easy to learn on this board as well.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

if you've narrowed it down to those to choices, you are most likely initially going to enjoy the kitefish more than the twinskim.
the skim is finless and will feel like a bar of soap. at first it will seem very challenging to ride in control, but with some time on it, it will turn out to be a great light wind board.
the kitefish is going to be easier to get going on, but the challenge will be shuffling your feet to go the other direction.
check out the thread pepi posted about adding fins to the fish.

http://nwkite.com/forums/t-30236.html

if you're on a budget and don't want to fork out too much for a lightwind board, check with mike at www.mthboards.com
I got a board from him last winter at a discounted price and its absolutely the best light wind board I've ever ridden.

I've ridden the mako king 165 and it's a great board, just going to run you a little bit more for the deck.

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

thanks for the feedback everyone.

Stringy, I really like the boards on Mikes web site. Regarding the board you are riding on his website, is that an all wood core and did he provide the red pad? Do you know if makes directional boards also?

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

stopped by Windance today and scored a demo 2013 Slingshot Asylum bare for $219! They just got a huge load of demo gear from Slingshot. Lots of directionals with way higher performance than a kitefish. They had a Airush Sector for ultimate litewinds too, $400 I think.

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

I bought a SS Asylum this year also...awesome board and the main reason why I can't justify buying a mako Very Happy

I like the Celeritas from SS but I figured it would not be a good beginner directional board. Maybe I should just suck it up.

DesertWinds · Since 01 May 2009 80 Posts

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

I will pop into Windance the next time I am down in HR which may not be a for a few weeks unfortunately

I'm For sure going to send Mthboards a note and see what he can do, love the fact you can customize the board.

Again, thank you for the responses everyone.

Nak · Sat Oct 19, 13 12:34 pm

One to consider: The Slingshot Dialer. Great beginner board for learning strapless. First time out on mine I got up strapless: for the first time. (Many previous attempts.) I find it very forgiving and great in light wind too.

Johnb · Since 02 Aug 2010 494 Posts Obsessed

I have a Vere and a Dialer, I ride the Dialer more often than the Vere. I think the dialer is a better light wind board than the Vere because of how wide it is. Being wide also gives you more real-estate when learning to jibe.

I learned strapless on the dialer this year and have become pretty proficient.

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

All mentioned so far will work fine. Just go with the best deal. Your TT will be like your wife- practical and always there for you. But your surfboard will be like a girlfriend, fun as hell and you'll always want another one!

Slappysan · Since 13 Jun 2012 309 Posts Obsessed

I went through 3 boards learning strapless directional. Kitefish -> twinskim -> SP wakesurfer.

Kitefish: a real tank and doesn't ride well, it goes in super light winds though. the reason I switched was I lost it but I would have out grown it very fast if I hadn't. Price $280.

Twinskim: a nice option to have for areas where clearance is an issue (low tide), also has the added bonus of allowing you to learn yet still treat it as a twin if you don't want to gybe. it's a bit slippery but not that bad, I still have it and use it for certain spots during low tide then swap back to my TT once the tide comes in. Price $180.

SP Wakesurfer: I freakin' love this thing. super stable, amazingly easy to gybe and goes in the lightest of winds. it's also a proper surf board too, but because of the width it's a bit hard to go rail to rail but the double concave helps out a lot. the fins that come stock are crap and because of the volume sinking a rail can be a bit of a challenge. Price $370.

The SP comes in kite construction now a days for like $700 (which includes decent fins) but when I got mine the wakesurf model was the only option. unless you are going to be doing strapless airs I wouldn't worry too much about the construction and go with the cheaper wakesurf edition.

airon^ · Since 07 Aug 2013 290 Posts Durango Obsessed

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

cheers for the info everyone.... sounds like i need to pick up a Dialer, twinswim and wake surfer Very Happy

sorry for all the Qs Stringy, how long did you go with that board? going to Tulum in Feb, would like to bring something like that board so I get more days on the water.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster