looking at buying a surfboard, what will be the best board to learn on? I'm around 80/85 kgs

By a second hand surfboard around 5'10. It'll feel better than any kite specific board.

... unless you want straps

Straps will be easier to start with won't they?

Yes and no. If you are competent on a twinny you may enjoy a surfboard without straps, it feels very free, a little like surfing.

But if you want to flog it, jump go hard on it then go a strapped board.

Anything short and wide.
Wider means better planning and better low speed stability.

North Nuggets are great or any surf boards with similar dims.

For me I started with straps on a balance 5'6" 21 Lts Board and still ridding same size with or without straps 18 to 20 +kns and go to larger board or kite for less wind But if you go unstrapped 5'8 to 5'10 is fine due to moving you feet/ weight around and 5'8" Straped Your height also comes in to play and also if you use your kite power on the wave or only use kite as tow on and surf normally My weight is 80 klg and 5'10" ht

PM Smook , he makes sick boards and may be able to hook you up.

I started on a tow in surfboard with straps. It helped to get up but I quickly took off the back one and then a few kites later the front one. Once you get up on a strapless surfboard you will be stoked. I learnt on a surfboard so if you can ride a twin tip I would go straight to a strapless. The vanguard style boards are fantastic and go upwind so much better than a conventional board. It is just starting on a strapless board that is hard but once you get the pressure on the board while tea bagging you should be right. Try a few downwind drifts with the kite hovering between 10 and 2 to get the feel of changing direction. A normal cheap surfboard might be OK but it will break very quickly. Look for one with kite construction. They might be heavier but you won't notice it to start.

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JBFletch said..
North Nuggets are great or any surf boards with similar dims.

Isnt a Whip more versatile and hence better for learning on?

the cheapest board you can find.

Get a surfboard that would: "suit you if you were a very good surfer" as in a relatively small, bu not too small board for your weight. Ask a surf shop what they recommend as a short board for your weight/ height. then go find a cheapy on gumtree.

With the addition of a kite you need a smallish board. for example i'm 74kgs and suit a 5'4 to 5'10 max.

i would not start with or use straps at all imo. but up to you.

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salt said..
the cheapest board you can find.

Get a surfboard that would: "suit you if you were a very good surfer" as in a relatively small, bu not too small board for your weight. Ask a surf shop what they recommend as a short board for your weight/ height. then go find a cheapy on gumtree.

With the addition of a kite you need a smallish board. for example i'm 74kgs and suit a 5'4 to 5'10 max.

i would not start with or use straps at all imo. but up to you.

Yes all above But you need Boards with thinner rail to truck up wind we do not need the bounce and high Lts