I am over-researching my next purchase and hoping for some advice for buying the first kitesurfing board. Don't want to buy (again) something not suitable and flog it for half the money I paid (just lost my job - will have lots of time but will be short of money).


I am confident riding twin tip, can ride switched and stay upwind (but only one way for now, other way I go downwind a lot). Would like to learn to gybe and start downwinders in Perth - no surfing background.

My size / gear at the moment are:


Weight: 100 kg
Height:184 cm
Age: 50

Boards:


North Spike 153 x 46.5 - light wind weapon
Shinn Dundee II 135 x 44 - all around marvel
Airush Switch 142 - don't use it much, advertised for sale

Kites:


2013 Ozone Zephyr 17m
2013 Cabrinha Switchblade 12m
2015 Wainman Smoke 9m
2014 Ozone Reo 8m


I can imagine using all kites on flat water (Shoalwater) to learn basics, but for downwinders only my Smoke 9m and Reo 8m would be suitable (Switchblade 12m probably too slow turning).


Would like to get a board that is suitable for learning and that I can keep once I know what I am doing, not something that is good for learning only. Something that is good for kitesurfing from flat water up to shoulder height waves. Do not have plans (or ability) for extreme surfing (big waves or flying tricks).


Most people say 'demo' but if you don't know how to use a surfboard yet there is no way to 'demo' even if a board is given to you for a day - hence need your advice Brothers and Sisters :-)


After reading (too much) I came up with few choices:


2014 Cabrinha Subwoofer 5'-11" (29l) - looks like the best choice to me based on what I read
2015 Cabrinha Phenom 5'-8" (28.9l) or 5'-11" (31.6l)
2015 Cabrinha Secret Weapon 5'-10" (30.6l)

The above boards I understand would be easy learning boards (being wide and having big volume), but would they be worth keeping once I learn?


The following two boards could be harder to learn (smaller volume, not as wide) but maybe better 'all round' once I learn?


2014 Slinghshot Celeritas 5'-11" (can't find the volume info)
2014 North WAM 6'-0" (25.4l)

Would love to hear your advice - please keep in mind that I weigh 100kg and that I plan to use my board almost exclusively in Perth, so need the gear optimum for Perth conditions. Also don't plan to buy more kites - would like my surfboard be suitable for the kites I currently have

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Swavek said..

2014 Cabrinha Subwoofer 5'-11" (29l) - looks like the best choice to me based on what I read
2015 Cabrinha Phenom 5'-8" (28.9l) or 5'-11" (31.6l)
2015 Cabrinha Secret Weapon 5'-10" (30.6l)

Look at the North Nugget as well. I am the same size as you and I have been thrashing it now for 18 months (jumps, waves, flat, downwinders - 10 to 30+ knots). A really great board.

What size Nugget do you have?

5.5 but I will check when I get home.

Thanks Mate, appreciate your help

If you're tight on cash try getting an old 6ft surfboard or around that size, I learn't the basics on an old surfboard before buying a Kite surfboard.

Thanks Brohan, this is one way of doing it, hoping to get the right board right from the start though (if it is possible). Not super tight on cash, but don't want to waste my money on something I learn later is not suitable to my size, conditions I want to ride, etc.

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Swavek said..
Thanks Brohan, this is one way of doing it, hoping to get the right board right from the start though (if it is possible). Not super tight on cash, but don't want to waste my money on something I learn later is not suitable to my size, conditions I want to ride, etc.

Big call expecting to get it right first board, especially when adding waves to the mix on something that is very personal, certainly not going to find the right answer here but for reference I'm about your size (both height and weight, though I'm a little taller), from a surfing background. I ride on older LF skate 6'1" by 18.5" from memory, would have lower volume than most above but is quite narrow in the nose compared to more modern shapes, I also have a 5'11" x 19" home built job modelled of a shrunken JS kingpin template and the skates rocker (mellowed out a bit in the front).

In WA I'd stay with something more traditional size (read longer) for your height and weight I'd be sticking with something 5'10" to maybe just over 6' depending on the specific shape and 19.5" to 18.5" wide, these will be more than usable in perth and versatile enough to allow travel south and north in moderate conditions. In WA the wider rounder "lightwind" style boards not really necessary and won't be much fun when the conditions are bigger or more powerful as more often than not your going to have plenty of power.

If it were me I'd go atleast second hand if not just get any old board for as cheap as you can and learn on that (try and keep it under 6'2" and 19" wide for your weight) other than that your going to learn heaps in the first few months not just about riding a surfboard but riding waves which throws a whole swag of other dynamics into the mix and probably more than most things you'll find personal style will effect your choice of board going forward but the only way to learn is try it. Only other advice I'd add is try and get something with the option of quad or thruster fin setup, there is a huge difference. If I were picking from the boards you've listed above (i.e. your willing to take the chance on spending $ without any guarantee you'll be happy) then I'd pick the WAM or Celeritas (just addressing the shape here not construction methods) but personally I'd go to buy and sell, cashies or anywhere else you can find cheap boards, buy something flog it until it dies and move onto something else.

Hope that's helpful

Thank you for a comprehensive response, looks like WAM might be the best bet. Might take a risk rather than experiment with non kiting boards.

^ agree with blueprint.

5'10 - 6' but it honestly doesn't matter too much.

Get a second hand to start. All the big manufacturers have a variety of boards which can basically be broken down as follows:

1. Freestyle, small wave
2. All rounder
3. Bigger waves, pro

Go for a common second hand allrounder like a WAM or Celeritas. The small wave or freestyle boards are fun and easy to use, but can become difficult to ride in strong winds typical in WA. An allrounder will do everything ok.

Thank you all for comments. Went to one of the shops and was offered this second hand board - 5'-10", 18.5" wide, 2.25" thick:









It is shaped locally in Perth, I was warned that it would develop indentations in the deck from the foot over time (actually has some already) but is nicer to kitesurf than using much stiffer boards like North WAM. Not as durable, but very good for learning for a person of my size, and suitable for Perth conditions.

Does it look like a good shape and size board for me or someone is doing a 'sale's job'? It is meant to cost $400.

Hi Swavek

Good job having a look around, there are heaps of options out there. This one is a tough one, the other boards you have been looing at hold a bit more width in the first 12" of the board (this really mean that the curve through the middle section of the board is straighter meaning more area under your feet), this can be really good as it'll get you on the plane early and will tend to hold it there through turns etc. a little bit here is good, too much will be a pain in better quality waves. The board you have here I'd say if you were 90kg would be fine but at 100kg probably a little small (mostly just to me that the template quite pulled in in the first 12"), not claiming to be an expert but my 5'11" is a touch over 19" with and carries a fair bit more width in the nose. The rocker is very important too though and without seeing it it's hard to put the full picture in context.

PM'd you

Run into this sexy thing - at $500 I could not resist - hope it is good for me :-)

From what I gathered it should be good: 6'-1"x 18.5" x 2 1/5" seems to have quite a bit of volume in the right places and a nice shape - just like a good looking woman!!!

looks like it would be a bit heavy, hopefully that equates to strong for your use if jumping etc though. i am sure you will have a blast!!
don't get hung up on whether it is the be all and end all of boards now, keep trying others whenever you are offered down the beach, and also keep the eyes peeled for that 5'10 * 20 * 2 1/2 or so fish surfboard you spy at a garage sale for $50-100 that you can start mucking around on strapless in mushy waves and light winds, and learn gybes on far faster. quiver addiction is about to start

i'll be the first to say "lose the straps" as well

Put it on the scale - 4.5kg with the straps, is this a bit heavy?

Wanted to get going strapless but the person I bought it from suggested I should keep the straps to start with as I will be falling off a lot at the beginning. Seems to make sense - don't want to spend mostly body dragging trying to get to my board. What is your advice?

Might still shop around for a bargain fish

i'd say it's pretty typical of that type of board (looks like epoxy, EPS, vacuumed timber veneer underneath).
most of my PU boards would be under 3kg i would say, but i'd have to check them at home. usually i just pick 2 boards up in opposing hands and use the ol' "whoa, that's so much lighter or heavier" test to be honest haha

but i had an old north kontact for strapped riding and it is much heavier than what i ride now usually. your board has a really nice looking finish i reckon, just don't leave it black side up on the beach! also, always keep an eye on your fin boxes, because if it is EPS asnd they crack at all (common weak point), the EPS sucks water like you wouldn't believe, is super hard to get out, and your board gets heavier and heavier.

as per the comments above though, try lots of different boards over time and you'll learn every session. but yes, strapped is going to make it easier for you to learn the ropes at first. good luck!

Just tested my new girlfriend.

Flat water only, 22-28 knots with 9 m Wainman kite, quite happy that the board works for me. I was going out toeside, back with a carving turn, another carving turn at the shore and out again toeside. Barely lost any ground, every 3-5 runs had to walk 50 m upwind, but this is not going to be a problem once I am ready for downwinders (actually I feel ready but need to watch some basic utube videos on wave riding).

Have not used other surf boards for kiting, so can't compare to anything, but it felt right. I think if one can ride twintip with confidence and ride toeside at least one way, it is quite easy to switch to sb. Waves might be another story...

Thank you all for your input, I am a one happy customer

Btw, got a response from the manufacturer, this board has quite a lot of volume - 29 litres, this explains why it felt good!

A wise man once said if it feels good, do it

all the best, waves add that next dimension to kiting after boosting imo.
enjoy the learning curve

Just had another session - same set up as yesterday, stayed upwind at all times, added more speed to my carving turns - WICKED!!!!!!
This is one sexy looking board . Felow kiters come up to have a look. - looks like bloody Maserati !!!! And goes like one too!!!

I have to give her a name, something like ANGELINA sounds about right

Alright, alright, I will stop now - you know the feeling, getting this new good looking board that works for you?

Promise this is my last post about my new board

Yeah I actually saw you go by today I think, on an ozone, and your girl

She's a beaut, I even had a little stare

Looks like a great board ! Take those straps of and wax that middle bit. Getting upwind is all about weight on the front leg and stepping forward with your back foot. Once you go strapless you'll never look back.

Done just that couple of days ago - took me two sessions to get used to no straps. Just need to be more powered compared to having straps, otherwise I fall off much more often without the straps.