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KiwiDave said..
Thanks guys. I think I might have under stated the "Beginner".

I might be the slowest learning beginner ever. I'm not going upwind yet.

Our local spot (as dictated by parks Victoria) is between two rock berms. In the southerly I ride directly downwind from one berm to the other and then do the walk of shame. If I could get a bit of pace on earlier then I expect I could turn upwind before hitting the downwind rocks. Probably just a stance defect.

Equally if I could get out in a couple of knots less wind then I could go to another spot that has a bit more space. Both locations have a bit of chop close to the shore.

I am thinking of a larger board to get me going despite my lack of skills but hoping that such a board would remain useful when I get better (just in lighter conditions).

Dave, keep in mind a larger Twin tip board will be more difficult to edge thus more difficult to go upwind with especially at your skill level and especially in the chop. In general you shouldn't count on the below 15 knots days to help you to learn to ride upwind anytime soon.

At this stage you would greatly benefit from a video analysis session with an instructor or just with an experienced kiter with a good eye and a good camera.

We offer this as a lesson product in our school and it's especially benefiting students who can ride but struggle to go upwind. The results are always impressive, once you get a chance to see yourself and get a few key tips you won't ever ride the same way again.

Christian

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KiwiDave said..
Thanks guys. I think I might have under stated the "Beginner".

I might be the slowest learning beginner ever. I'm not going upwind yet.

Our local spot (as dictated by parks Victoria) is between two rock berms. In the southerly I ride directly downwind from one berm to the other and then do the walk of shame. If I could get a bit of pace on earlier then I expect I could turn upwind before hitting the downwind rocks. Probably just a stance defect.

Equally if I could get out in a couple of knots less wind then I could go to another spot that has a bit more space. Both locations have a bit of chop close to the shore.

I am thinking of a larger board to get me going despite my lack of skills but hoping that such a board would remain useful when I get better (just in lighter conditions).

Nobile XTR 143 by 48.

Has offset foot pads to the heel-side so the board when edging feels like a 44cm board. It goes upwind very easily.

In the context of your last post a left field option could be a mako king. It is not the light wind board others above have discussed (it does not work well in super light conditions) but it will go a lot lighter than what you are currently using and I found it an excellent learning board that can be used for a wide range of conditions and therefore you can enjoy for many years to come. Eg I saw an experienced guy with one in near 40 knots the other day with a big smile on his face when he came back to shore. It was his board of choice in those type of conditions in bay slop/ waves.

It also a mutant so you can use it like a directional as well a twin tip and also has a deck pad for strapless. Great for carving and easy toe side.

Slides through the chop - so easier on the legs.

The compromise is it is big ( but actually does feel a big when riding), it doesn't quite go as light wind as dedicated lw boards, it is not great for jumping but as you progress you can get fun air off the waves but it might do everything you really want learning including in lighter conditions and you will have fun in windier choppier conditions. I learnt most the basics on this board and found it significantly easier including the water start, going upwind, riding toeside, toeside transitions dealing with chop, riding and carving on waves, riding directionally, riding strapless etc. I still would not sell this board when I have sold others a few years after initially learning.

^^^^^^^^ agreed +1 for shinn 150 an OR origin too, big boards rule LW and upwind but u need a little rocker to have some fun

Mowing the lawn on a Flydoor XL...

So which of these two would be better? Remember I'm a beginner who keeps trying to go out when there is insufficient wind and am not going up wind unless the wind strength is perfect, I'm on starboard tack and mercury is in retrograde.

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Twin-Tips/~thusz/2011-Slingshot-Glide-150-150-cm.aspx?search=yFuNZma!gPYqbSr3Hmz3ZYwZWtN6mUyE

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Twin-Tips/~ap6b0/2014-Cabrinha-Spectrum-148-cm.aspx?search=gb7cSR4J7TS!VsbpaoMgXdxTVOxsD4enLGli08zHENI=

What would be a fair price for the slingshot glide?

The Cabrinha board is 10 minutes from my home.

Interesting thread and I'm in the same position, looking for a LW for the open ocean (12-15 knot winds). My 140 tt currently doesn't cut it for LW.

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Kamikuza said...
My vote is the newer board.

Ocean Rodeo is having a sale on the Origin v1 - US$350 and iirc the shipping was less than $150 to Japan...
https://store.oceanrodeo.com/c/204

I went and purchased the Mako King and it really is the most awesome board. I am not sure I would class it a LW board, but it it has certainly just replaced the two TT's I owned. I set it up in mutant mode and It is like glue on the flat water. Really looking forward to using it in the surf.

I still rate the north nugget and Maui Boardriding Paipo as better LW devices.

Im thinking of buying a LW board for two things, first for light wind on my big kite (14m cat) which is a no brainer...

But then I was thinking, the LW board on my small kite (10m cat) to help fill the gap im finding between the 14 being overpowered and the 10 underpowered.

Is the second idea just silly?
My other thought was buying a 12m kite, but a board will be cheaper and hopefully serve two purposes



And, whilst Ive got your attention....
I've ridden a few door things and really didn't like them so Im after something a bit more fun, anyone have any insights in either the Axis ultra or Cab Stylus???

p.s, Im 100kg, currently riding a 145 cab tronic and the 10&14 ozones Cats I mentioned...

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nikmcc said..
Im thinking of buying a LW board for two things, first for light wind on my big kite (14m cat) which is a no brainer...

But then I was thinking, the LW board on my small kite (10m cat) to help fill the gap im findinbetween the 14 being overpowered and the 10 underpowered.

Is the second idea just silly?
My other thought was buying a 12m kite, but a board will be cheaper and hopefully serve two purposes



And, whilst Ive got your attention....
I've ridden a few door things and really didn't like them so Im after something a bit more fun, anyone have any insights in either the Axis ultra or Cab Stylus???

p.s, Im 100kg, currently riding a 145 cab tronic and the 10&14 ozones Cats I mentioned...

Having an appropriate board bridge gap between your kites is sound idea.

I am 100kg, in NSW, and a 14m is kite i use most often. I would class a 17m as light wind kite for your weight.

I will typically will use a North Nugget (flat and wide) with the 17 and 14 and then move to something smaller/thinner with 12 (thin with rocker).

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bigtone667 said..

nikmcc said..
Im thinking of buying a LW board for two things, first for light wind on my big kite (14m cat) which is a no brainer...

But then I was thinking, the LW board on my small kite (10m cat) to help fill the gap im findinbetween the 14 being overpowered and the 10 underpowered.

Is the second idea just silly?
My other thought was buying a 12m kite, but a board will be cheaper and hopefully serve two purposes



And, whilst Ive got your attention....
I've ridden a few door things and really didn't like them so Im after something a bit more fun, anyone have any insights in either the Axis ultra or Cab Stylus???

p.s, Im 100kg, currently riding a 145 cab tronic and the 10&14 ozones Cats I mentioned...

Having an appropriate board bridge gap between your kites is sound idea.

I am 100kg, in NSW, and a 14m is kite i use most often. I would class a 17m as light wind kite for your weight.

I will typically will use a North Nugget (flat and wide) with the 17 and 14 and then move to something smaller/thinner with 12 (thin with rocker).

Cool, thanks.

Yeah a zepher and a 12 had been suggested to me as a good combo.... but zephers are little too pricey for me at the moment ;)


I'll have a look at the north nugget, cheers :)

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nikmcc said..

bigtone667 said..

nikmcc said..
Im thinking of buying a LW board for two things, first for light wind on my big kite (14m cat) which is a no brainer...

But then I was thinking, the LW board on my small kite (10m cat) to help fill the gap im findinbetween the 14 being overpowered and the 10 underpowered.

Is the second idea just silly?
My other thought was buying a 12m kite, but a board will be cheaper and hopefully serve two purposes



And, whilst Ive got your attention....
I've ridden a few door things and really didn't like them so Im after something a bit more fun, anyone have any insights in either the Axis ultra or Cab Stylus???

p.s, Im 100kg, currently riding a 145 cab tronic and the 10&14 ozones Cats I mentioned...

Having an appropriate board bridge gap between your kites is sound idea.

I am 100kg, in NSW, and a 14m is kite i use most often. I would class a 17m as light wind kite for your weight.

I will typically will use a North Nugget (flat and wide) with the 17 and 14 and then move to something smaller/thinner with 12 (thin with rocker).

Cool, thanks.

Yeah a zepher and a 12 had been suggested to me as a good combo.... but zephers are little too pricey for me at the moment ;)


I'll have a look at the north nugget, cheers :)

Have a look at the 17m Griffin TRX Pro. About 50% cheaper than the major brands.