Surfboards for Kiting

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I just picked up a 6'2" yancy fish(thruster not old school fish) epoxy for$275 I have been rideing it strapless what a great board.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

I just went out on a strapless surfboard for the first time yesterday.

Here are the benchmarks that I set for myself to make the transition to strapless and it worked really well:

1. Go heelside and toe side both ways confidently.
~Be comfortable downlooping so that you stay powered up.
2. Get on cheap twin fin directional set up with 2 straps. The first thing I noticed is how the board wanted to nose up on me during jumps.
3. Get going and take foot out of back strap
4. Take both feet out of straps
5. Turn and go toe side
6. Switch feet quickly, like a dancing fool. Lot's of articles about jibes. Tacks are for later on! Go watch some of the guys who are masters of this at spit, or on a light wind day anyplace.

7. Get on a friends waxed up 6-2 board and hit some jibes!

Get a board that is built specifically for kiting as they are tough and are set up for straps. Cascade surf boards makes a nice custom glass for a reasonalbe price and the builder is local nw dude.

If you want to look at my directional pm me.

Ron

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Kyle · Since 28 Jun 2007 54 Posts Squamish, Canada

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-8731.html
Wink

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

Chooch · Tue Jul 29, 08 1:39 pm

Boardrider you forgot to post with Caps Lock on! Laughing

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

There was a string of about 7 posts from 1:45-2:10am last night from the Troll... my guess is they were probably not sober ones. Wink

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

I thought I heard some SCREAMING
in the middle of the night
oh well just another coastie

going nuts Laughing

in a very predictable
manner Rolling Eyes

If you want a Kite specific board
I would talk to Hein

D-Dub · Since 19 Jun 2007 30 Posts Bend

Are there any good production glass kite surfboards? I have tried a lot of epoxy and kite specific boards and they just don't feel the same.

epoxy just doesn't have the same flex / weight. there have to be some surfers gone kiters that agree??

Can I get an Amen?!

Any recommendations would be very helpful (looking for 6' - 6'2" thruster for surfing the coast, I'm 6' and 180lbs) - thanks!

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Check with these guys:

Gary Swanson - Cascade
Brian Hinde - Open Ocean
Art Collier - North Pacific

Someone please list the
coast shapers.

Do a little research and
be somewhat familiar
with board terminology.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

D-Dub.

Check out the Liquid Force Rawson boards. You can see them at Gorge Performance Portland or 2nd Wind Sports Hood River.

Made with EPS and Epoxy Resin, but made just as Pat Rawson would do a custom. CNC'd to specs, hand finished and then hand glassed with epoxy resin.

Gives a more natural feel (and look) in a more durable (than poly) construction, but with a much better feel than like a tufflite, or other kite industry molded board.

I have the quads and the 6.1' skate for demo if you are ever interested in riding one.

check here for more info- http://www.liquidforcekites.com/surfboards_main.htm

D-Dub · Since 19 Jun 2007 30 Posts Bend

Tekko - I demoed the LF Rawson Quad 6'2" and the LF Squash 6' at 2nd wind.

Both were a blast, but I really liked the squash - it's made out of fiberglass, right? Will LF be making that board in the future (people have told me it will be discontinued)? Opinions on performance in head high surf?

By the way - Pepi at 2nd Wind is the man, friendly guy and great customer service.

Not trying to start a brand war, just looking for recommendations

thanks for the references Hein

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

I've ridden both of last year's LF surfboards and the new 5-11 Skate and 5-10 Quad in small to big surf. All of them work pretty well (head high surf will be great for them), but you have to try the Rawson Skate (6-1 for your size prob). It is definitely my favorite board out of all of those for the various conditions we encounter. It's the thruster configuration with a pintail.

scottnorby · Wed Jul 30, 08 2:28 pm

I just ordered ANOTHER LF 6' squash tail as D-Dub refers to above.
D-Dub is right, it is a great board.
I wanted another one for backup because it really is a great board at a great price.
I have hammered the hell out of my old one for 2 years and it is holding up great.
I also got another because I also hope they don't discontinue that shape.

I think that board was shaped by Fletcher Chouinard who is the son of the owner of Patagonia...Fletcher shapes the Patagonia boards. Corky Cullen was in the process of designing it with Fletcher when I left LF. Really good shape.

I have an epoxy Wayne Lynch 6'6 board which I enjoy a lot too.

And epoxy is proven tough.

My opinion:
the 6 foot swallow resin board you are looking at will probably do you really good.
And that is a good price.
You will most likely get another board later anyways....so your first won't be your last.
It's all an experiment.
And Troll was an experiment too---his mom and dad had no idea such a crazy animal would be birthed.