CHOOSING A KITE BOARD
THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING YOUR NEXT WAVE KITEBOARD
If you’ve bought a kiteboard or surfboard in the last few years you’ll know that it can be pretty tricky. The exhaustive numbers of manufacturers, shapes and build methods has spiraled out of control. Choosing the right board is tough enough for surfers who’ve been navigating the rough sea of board design for years, but if you come from a kite or windsurf background, it can be hard to know which way to go. Kitesurfing places different stresses on the board that require a different approach to the board construction.
Having the right board is critical and can mean the difference between a great session and frustration so take time to evaluate your requirements. The right board for you is a very personal choice that encompasses a range of factors so simply saying, “I’ll have what she’s having,”won’t cut it.
Here are some questions to consider when buying a board for kiting and surfing:
#1 LOCAL CONDITIONS–are the waves I usually ride large and steep or small and mushy?
#2 HEIGHT & WEIGHT–what volume & length is right for me?
#3 ABILITY–Am I a confident surfer/kiter or just starting out?
#4 QUALITY &CONSTRUCTION–was it produced using quality, kitesurf-specific materials by a reputable surfboard shaper?
#5 APPLICATIONS–will I be using this board for kiting, surfing or both?
#1 Local Conditions.
Now let’s face it, most of us aren’t getting tubed in overhead barrels on a regular basis. The conditions I usually ride at home are small, mushy beach breaks, especially when I’m kiting. So I look for a board with a fairly low rocker and plenty of volume for upwind efficiency as well as ease of paddling. Now, a flat rocker won’t be a good idea if you’re trying to drop down steep faces or really tear up fast waves but you’ll be forever grateful when you’re cruising upwind in light wind!
If you are lucky enough to surf or kite steeper waves with more size and vertical drops, then you need to look for a board with a medium to high rocker to prevent nose-diving.
#2 Height & Weight.
So this is pretty obvious, but if you’re a big, tall person you’ll probably need a bit more length than your little mate. If you’re heavy you’ll need to get a board with extra volume and width. Sound simple?
#3 Level of Ability.
Typically, the more advanced you are, the smaller your board. If you’re a beginner to intermediate surfer or kiter, a slightly larger board will make life easier by doing a lot of the work for you. For example, I wouldn’t recommend starting off with a board like Ian’s Rawson as it doesn’t have a whole lot of volume and is more suited toperformance surfing. A better choice would be something with a bit more buoyancy (essentially volume) so you can catch waves easier and position yourself further towards the shoulder.
A board with less volume will suit more advanced manoeuvres and a more powerful style of riding.
A BASIC GUIDELINE FOR LEVEL OF ABILITY
Beginner: Can catch a wave and ride along without turning
Intermediate: Small bottom turns & top turns
Intermediate/Advanced: Performing bottom to top turn combinations
Advanced: Performing top and bottom turns in critical sections plus aerials
#4 Quality & Construction.
These days you’re going to spend upwards of $700 on a surfboard no matter where you buy it. So why end up with something second rate? We always recommend choosing a reputable shaper who has a good grasp on shape, rocker templates, and construction materials. We work with Darren Handley and Pat Rawson who shape for some of the world’s best surfers so you benefit from their experience. The highest quality materials combined with cutting edge shapes provide you with best board for kiting AND surfing.
Standard surfboards usecheap, low-density blanks. We build our boards with top quality high-density blanks that’re stronger and can withstand the rigors of kitesurfing. Where other boards use extra material to create strength, our boards use the best quality materials to ensure they not only last, but perform at their best. Our boards are carefully hand shaped and undergo rigorous quality control to ensure every customer receives a product that’s second-to-none.
#4 Quality & Construction continued.
EPOXY boards are very buoyant and super light meaning they sit high on the water, something that makes for a rough ride on choppy water. However they are suitable for small, glassy waves, especially when surfing.
HIGH DENSITY PU (poly urethane) FOAM BLANKS are a lot more expensive than standard foam.HDfoam is much stronger and minimises dentingwhen kitesurfing. Quality blanks cost more but your board will last longer, perform better and feel alive in the water.
CROSS-HATCHED FIBREGLASS is added to increase multi-directional strength and flex, reducing the likelihood of a board snapping under pressure.
CARBON FIBRE PATCHES are kite-specific reinforcing that we include around the tail section and fin boxes to protect your board when landing aerials.
#5 Surf, Kite or Both?
My ideal day is goes along the lines of this... Wake up in the morning and go surfing. Come home for lunch (preferably fresh caught fish!) then go kiting on the same board in the afternoon. I realise everyone is different and not everyone likes to kite and surf the same board... I prefer to kite in much the same way as I surf so riding the same board just makes sense.
However, if you want to buy a specific board for kiting, and another one to surf, it’s good to go a little shorter on your designated kiteboard. Especially if you’re more confident with a kite than without.
At the end of the day, if you want the best performance for kiting and or surfing, you’re going to need a properly designed and manufactured surfboard.
A QUICK NOTE ON FINS...
I love the option of switching from quad to thruster and back again in a flash. I usually ride a thruster setup for its smooth and predictable turns but sometimes it’s fun to swap to a quad, especially if I’m riding smaller waves and want to throw the tail and slide out.
The new keyless FCSII system means swapping fin setup or preparing boards for travel is quick and easy.
CONSTRUCTION.
These days there seems to be an overwhelming number of hybridized kite/surfboards that remind me of some Frankenstein cross between a wakeboard and a surfboard. Coming from a surfing background this really offends me! Surfboards should have character, story and need to feel alive in the water. When you focus only on building something indestructible you compromise on performance. It’s that simple.
All our boards come with cross-hatched glass and carbon tail patches to reinforce around the back foot so you can land big airs without damaging your gear. However, heel dings are to be expected on surfboards so please don’t stress out if you get a few – they make your board more comfortable to ride and provide great landmarks so you know where to put your feet.