Hi all,

I just had my second lesson (in as many weekends) on Saturday, and am absolutely hooked! I'm only at the stage of JUST standing up on the board, but can see myself progressing 'reasonably' quickly.

I have purchased a 12m Cabrinha Switchblade 07 (that I'm very happy with so far) and a Cabrinha waist harness (which, by the way, is a lot more comfy than I had imagined it would be), but still need to find an appropriately sized second-hand board to ride. I have been advised to go for something in the 130-140 size range.

My question is this:

As I come from a surfing background, would it be wise/unwise for me to have some fun attempting to ride my surfboard until I find a proper twin tip kiteboard? Just riding for short stints and at least practicing my starts?

By the way, I love these forums - I've learned a massive amount just by searching and reading! It's a wicked resource and I can't wait till I'm at the stage where I can pester some of you crew to hook up for a session or a downwinder! (Could be a while yet?!)

Cheers,
Mick

Hi Mick,

You'll be surprised how fast your up and going, for the first few weeks it feels like it's never going to happen. Then you wonder what was so hard about it, and you sound like your determined so you'll be fine.

About the board, well yes the advice you have been given is good. Depending on your size and weight, if your around the 75-85kg then 130-135 might do 85-95kg then go for something around the 135-140. I'm 95kgs and ride a 138 and 140 but alot different widths and ones a mutant for waves.

By buying a board under 140 it will take a little longer to learn to stand up, but you will continue to progress better once up and riding. You would want to sell a bigger board shortly after standing up and riding up wind.

BTW learning on any unstrapped board like a surfboard will be difficult. You would be much better off buying a TT board, or hire a begineers board from a shop for 2 weeks to learn on then go get a board.

Anyhow hope that helps and good luck

Select to expand quote

Blaster said...

... if your around the 75-85kg then 130-135 might do 85-95kg then go for something around the 135-140.

Thanks for the reply and advice Blaster!

What would this one be like?

http://tinyurl.com/32ohda

It's a 138 and going for $250.

Do I have to be concerned with the width, or are they generally all a similar width compared to their lengths?

Cheers,
Mick

Obviously a night shift worker like me hey! Or an insomniac.

Sorry I'll check that link later, it's blocked here at work like just about every other site.[}:)]

Width does vary from make to make. I have a 138x41.2 LF and a 140x39 Underground for example. The wider the board the better it will be in light winds and getting on a plain. Like an old girlfriend once said, it's not all about length the width matters to

IMO If your around 90kgs anything close to 138x40 would be ideal to learn on and for $250 you could always trade it without losing a great deal.

hey blaster, nah not a shift worker, just an insomniac with a day off work today.

btw, I'm approx. 77kg.

I might have a closer look at that board then.

Cheers,
Mick

Just PM'd you some boards in your local area. I'm not sure your price range, but they are sick boards and you will keep it for ages after learning.

My mate has just learnt on the 128 version and he weights in at about 80kgs, so keep that in mind. I sometimes ride it when I'm fully lit and don't want to give it back.

That board in the link looks like an old shape, the foot straps look really close to each other as well. You'd be better putting in another $150 and getting an 05/06 board IMO

Good luck dude, I gotta go to bed knackered from 12 hour shift

Thanks for that Blaster!

I feel much better about buying a board after a good recommendation, so will skip the skinny, red Cape Dr and definitely keep the Underground FLX boards of around 132 in mind.

Is it bad etiquette to 'make an offer' on an item for sale in these forums?

I might see if the sellers of those two boards are at all negotiable.

Cheers,
Mick