Hey Guys,

I snapped my kite specific surfboard last weekend and hopefully if anything comes to plan I will be getting a replacement board.

Can anybody not recommend a board?

I looking for easy planning, 16 to 25knot Perth moosh wave riding board, don't care about straps but can handle ollies etc and light enough to do grabs (hopefully)

I am currently repairing a toughlite board at the moment but noticed it does not like sharp knocks, looks like 1 layer of glass of PVC foam so once the foam is crushed it looses all strength.

By the time the board is finished its going to weigh about 3kg, is that alot?

Any recommendations would be good.

Thanks
Rich

The thing is all surfboards will damage easily. I dont think there is anything out there that will take a good bar hit and survive.

Most of the good board riders get boards made up by a good shaper and then get it glassed heavily. A good local shaper will be able to give you a design in my opinion which is more current and better for surfing the wave better than a big kiting brand that designed the board in a different country 1 year ago.

You also can then customize everything to exactly what you want including the graphics. It'll still work out cheaper and youll be support Aussie business'.

richswing said...

Hey Guys,

Can anybody not recommend a board?

Thanks
Rich

Don't get a firewire!
They surf great, but plenty delaminate. Mine delaminated, then snapped later.

Regular polly boards work fine. I recon the surftechs hold up pretty good too.

Don't worry about the weight in your repairs - weight is not much of a problem when you have a kite in your hand. I think a little extra weight can even help you to survive the chatter when the surf gets bigger. (felt the weight of a tow-in board?)

Hi Rich,

Don't discount a board shaped by Dave at Katana Surf. He's also in Ozzie Park. He's just finished a new surfboard for me 6'9". I hope to pick it up today

Dave is a legend in the game and does amazing work. I'm a big fan.

Cheers,

KH

Go the wainman boards.

Or I have a 5'9" North rocketfish for sale, buy it and i'll buy a wainman

Rich, what I do like is my Delta. Heavier than the epoxys but narrow so not bulky. I like the solid poly feel.

One made by a kiteboarder.

Hey Rich,

youve got a challenge on your hands to get a sub3kg bord that is tough enough for your standards. light weight and strong tend not to go together.

In my experience through events and beach talk it seems teh slingshot and naish boards arent all that durable - Ive never had personal experience here though, just observing others misery.

Ive been riding a litewave quad fin which has been awesome for me, but it really shines in bigger waves and high speeds. not exactly perth conditions. Its not a bad board in small slop but it is too heavy (and strong) to really excell. The loose quad fin set up helps alot as does the extra width and rounded plan shape, but the weight is hard to overcome. maybe being heavier yourself though will balance this out some.

I wouldnt worry too much about the local surf shaper not knowing the intricacies of kiting. it more important to have complementary rail, rocker, plan, and volume features and the surf shapers are experts.

thats my experience but you'll probably get lots of good info by quizzing the shapers in your area. Marty at Delta is surely a wealth (like sultan of brunie) of knowledge nearby.

good luck - let us know what you find.

Go the litewave, liquid force skate also good they make a 6'2.

eneour said...

Hi,
From my personal experience, I would avoid the Naish 2008 series, the "hull" was a way too soft compared to the "deck" and the surfboard was cracking on the edges because of compression...I didn't jump with it at all... Even Naish recognized the 2008 boards were bad, as I got a new 2010 Custom Global Serie 5'4" for replacement (so stoked!), thanks Naish! and this board really is a great toy, small but so lively!!!

This makes me sick with anger I broke my 2010 SS Ben Wilson pro just hitting a lip of a wave and SS refused warranty.. I have been telling myself not to go public on this matter but i continually see other brands of boards getting replaced after being snapped for no apparent reason.. I emailed SS with photos and a video of when the board creased and their reply was. Sorry we would love to do all warranty claims.. that would make our jobs much easier.. then they offered me a very small discount on a new board.. FFS the board i had was new and cost me over $1000.. Why do they even offer warranty on their boards if they refuse to honor it.. a friend of mine snapped his Cabrinha board and they replaced it.. I also know of a North wam replaced.. now a naish.. I spent $7000 with SS in 2010.. and now i am so furious i can not wait to get rid of the stuff.. GRRRRRR

milko said...

eneour said...

Hi,
From my personal experience, I would avoid the Naish 2008 series, the "hull" was a way too soft compared to the "deck" and the surfboard was cracking on the edges because of compression...I didn't jump with it at all... Even Naish recognized the 2008 boards were bad, as I got a new 2010 Custom Global Serie 5'4" for replacement (so stoked!), thanks Naish! and this board really is a great toy, small but so lively!!!

This makes me sick with anger I broke my 2010 SS Ben Wilson pro just hitting a lip of a wave and SS refused warranty.. I have been telling myself not to go public on this matter but i continually see other brands of boards getting replaced after being snapped for no apparent reason.. I emailed SS with photos and a video of when the board creased and their reply was. Sorry we would love to do all warranty claims.. that would make our jobs much easier.. then they offered me a very small discount on a new board.. FFS the board i had was new and cost me over $1000.. Why do they even offer warranty on their boards if they refuse to honor it.. a friend of mine snapped his Cabrinha board and they replaced it.. I also know of a North wam replaced.. now a naish.. I spent $7000 with SS in 2010.. and now i am so furious i can not wait to get rid of the stuff.. GRRRRRR

I feel the same way about Naish after crap warranty service I had-the replacements are anecdotal and ad hoc.