After a recent knee injury, I've been looking for a freestyle board that is stiff enough for solid pop, yet flexible enough to provide soft landings. I've tried heaps of boards, and the La Luz provides the perfect balance for me.

Rider: 72kg, intermediate
Style: Freestyle, Freeriding
Weather: 15-18 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: none

My Comments: The first thing I noticed was the speed and liveliness of this board. As I live in SE Qld (light wind), this is one of the most important aspects of a board. This board has a single concave with not too much rocker, allowing you the speed to load up for tricks even when the wind is light. Speed also equals great upwind.

My aim was to find a board that could be used for freestyle but also provide soft landings. I soon got to test the landing aspect out. I went into a powered loop about 4m up, and the kite hit a wind shadow. I dropped the 4m with very little upward pull from the kite. I braced myself for the pain that I would normally get from landing on a stiff board, but after a minor jolt I rode away smoothly. The flex in this board makes for soft landings and a smooth ride through chop.

From other people's positive feedback about this board, I was pretty much prepared for a fast and smooth ride. I just assumed, however, that like all the other flexy boards out there, it wouldn't have the spring to give good pop. I was pleasantly surprised. While quite flexy, this board must have a well thought-out flex pattern, because it loads and pops really well. I was getting just as much height with the La Luz as I would with a stiffer board (doing raileys, s bends, etc.). The wind only got up to about 18kts, so I wasn't able to see if it would pop as well as a stiff board in stronger winds.

The only negative feedback I have is that I wasn't really taken by the look of the board. The plain white top would definitely need some jazzing up with stickers, but this is personal taste. The board also doesn't look as durable as other boards. Apparently Xenon give a 3 year warranty, so they must be confident in them.

Anyway, I feel that this is the board for freestylers (like me - aiming for handlepass tricks, but protecting my knees so I can kite till I'm 90 o.n.o) or freeriders who want a smooth ride with performance, even in light winds.

This board sounds awesome man.
How much would i be looking at paying for one?
I also have knee problems so this is basically the board im looking at getting>
Cheers, Stuart

ok, now even I'm suspicious.

Dunno how much they are yet, I've just demoed one. In The Loop Kiteboarding are importing them, and they've sent demos to Kiteaction in Caloundra and Kitepower in Sydney. Kitepower Sydney are sending the board up to their Qld store when they've given it a good run.

No this is a serious post lol - I know Evan and I know he's demo'd the LaLuz...

Hi Evan,

I am deciding 2010 xenon la luz and 2010 nobile NHP 3d, have you tried out the nobile one? any comment?

Rgds,
cow

Cowsheep

Yes I have tried the 2010 NHP. Due to the increased rocker, this board is slower than previous models. I prefer the feel and responsiveness of a faster board. And as I've said before, the ride and landings on the La Luz are amazing.

Hi Evan,

Need your advice.
I am 164cm tall and weight 68kg.
My skill is beginner stage, can freeride, upwind. Now learning jump and backloop. My condition is 12-17 knots, flat and small chop water. Sometimes larger chops.
Which board size good for me?

Does the xenon kiteboard handle chop good?

Rgds,
Keith

Hi Evan,

Need your advice
I am 164cm tall and weight 68kg.
My skill is beginner stage, can freeride, upwind. Now learning jump and backloop. My condition is 12-17 knots, flat and small chop water. Sometimes larger chops.

Which board size good for me?
Does xenon handle choppy condition good?

Rgds,
Keith

Keith

I'm around the same size as you. I don't feel the need to ride anything smaller than the 135. Does everything the same as a smaller board, but is easier to land tricks.

La Luz is great for chop.

Hi Evan,

I just find xenon get another Rayo kiteboard, have you tried on it?
From other review it looks this board are more forgiving for me (intermediate level)

Rgds,
Keith

Hey Cow, congrats on your amazing progress, on 1st of May you were at the beginner level and today according to your last post you are intermediate, great job, please share with others how to do it.

Hi cezary,

Sorry my typo error...still beginner level....
I have no chance to have test ride on 2010 Laluz / Rayo and would like to seek experience rider comment on it.

I am afraid if i buy Laluz board, I may not be get used to it as it looks like a pro board.
May be Rayo is easier for me for my progression.
I would like to know Laluz is a stiffer board than Rayo or nobile NHP 3d or not, does it gives out comfort ride?

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cowsheep said...

Hi cezary,

Sorry my typo error...still beginner level....
I have no chance to have test ride on 2010 Laluz / Rayo and would like to seek experience rider comment on it.

I am afraid if i buy Laluz board, I may not be get used to it as it looks like a pro board.
May be Rayo is easier for me for my progression.
I would like to know Laluz is a stiffer board than Rayo or nobile NHP 3d or not, does it gives out comfort ride?

Hi mate,

where are you located? Maybe we can organize to test ride the Xenon boards for you.

Both the LaLuz and Rayo have way more flex than the NHP ( i rode the NHP 2010 before i changed to the LaLuz).

The Xenons are the most comfortable boards i have ever ridden.
My favourite board is the LaLuz 132cm, im 80kg but i also like the 135cm as its a bit more forgiving and would be better for the conditions you ride in!

Cheers

Got to have a ride on the 135 La Luz, thanks Evan. Conditions were bay chop, I’m 80 kg using a 12mtr SLE in about 15 knots of wind.
This board is light, don’t know what the construction is but with a 3 year warranty against breakage who cares. The fittings and straps look good quality.
On the water I had no spray in the face, often a problem for a square end board. The board rides very smooth, no harsh slap. My other board is a 2010 North Xride, it isn’t as smooth as this but I haven’t ridden any board as smooth as the Xride. The Xride is a freeride board and the La luz a freestyle/new school board and they both do each well.
Nice pop from the square tips and sharp rails, very thin flexy tips. Easy soft landing unhooked heal side or toe side. The fins are grippy but not so much that you can’t slide the board around. I am used to quite small fins but these were fine. I found the straps a bit narrow and stiff but these will probably soften over time. The pads were a surprise, very comfy and good grip.
I felt the board was a slightly bouncy in the chop but it wasn’t harsh and as a freestyle board this is just fine. Love to try it in flat conditions.
I have ridden a few different boards lately and this is my favourite. Ticks the boxes of what I want and will be used till conditions are too choppy when I hop back on the Xride. I’m not a sponsored rider and pay full shop price but I did like this board and have one on order.

Whats with all the red thumbs? this board is as good as it sounds

i was at Alva over the weekend and was able to try the board (135)

the La luz is one of the best boards i have ever ridden, amazing pop, soft landings i couldn't get off it
down sides to the board wou'd be graphics and the pads weren't the greatest

Xenon is a brand to look out for in the future, they are already producing great boards just in their first season

Is the La Luz available in the uk? Who are the dealers or shops stocking them? I have always been a fan of the Nobile boards well up to the 2009 nhp the 2010 wasn't as good in my opinion. Would love to try one of these. In a recent poll in ikitesurf magazine online the La Luz was voted the best board.

I'll add my 2c on the Xenon, as I had a ride on the 132 today.

Rider: 85kg,
Style: Freestyle/Freeride/Un-hooking
Weather: 15-18 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: I demo everything I can. Buy my own gear based on what I like.

My Comments: I've been looking for a board in this size--132 x 40--to replace my trusty 07 Underground FLX. The FLX is a sweet board, has good pop, but difficult to land so my hard and fast landings turn into train smashes. I am looking for a board that pops well, but still carves well, and most importantly sticks the hard and fast landings.

First impressions are good. People on this thread have criticized the graphics for being a bit plain, but I quite like the look of the board. It's not neon blue and pink like the current North/Naish/etc, but honestly who really gives a sh!t. It's the ride that matters, and that's it.

I like the outline...nice and wide but with a bit of curve to let it carve a bit. The outline is similar to the FLX so maybe that's why. The tail is quite a bit wider and the rails are sharp with a really nice taper from about 10mm thick in the middle to 3mm at the tips. Flex follows the taper so nice and stiff in the middle, and increasing towards the tips. No step-cap construction. Very simple, gentle single concave...again nothing fancy here.

Initial thoughts on the pads and straps are that they'll be nice and comfy. the pads are soft foam and mold to your feet. The straps are fairly plastic looking and you have to wonder how long they'll hold up. 54mm fins look good, but I reckon they will be a bit big as the's not a whole lot of rocker.

On the water....I will start with the negatives. I'm pretty critical on gear because I know what I like. Pads are great--nice and soft. Straps are painful and will need a lot of breaking in. Having said that, I had a blast of a ride even though I wasn't all that comfy in the straps.

The board tracks well--very solid. Not really any spray in the face. The 54cm fins are a bit big for me. I like a board to slide around a bit more. I almost broke my ankle trying to switch to toeside to line up a slash on a wave. Once I figured it out, I just popped to toeside and it was cool, but I would prefer the smaller fins.

Positives....well it does everything I wanted it to do. Pops for Raleys were nice and high, and the landings were bang-on. No skipping, no wobble, just stick it and ride out with speed. I pulled off a couple of pretty large backroll kiteloops and just pegged the landings. Stoked!

The board still has a nice carvey feel to it for such a wide outline. Not as carvey as the FLX, but that's ok. Good glide so it keeps going a bit better in the lulls and after landings. It's fast too. Wind today was only 15-18kt if that, so not a whole lot of power to work with, but enough to get a taste of what it can do.

All in all it ticks all the boxes for me. I'm going to swap out the fins for some smaller ones and give it another go.

Thanks to Marvin from In the Loop for the loaner.

you still got the board mate?

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INTHELOOP said...

you still got the board mate?

Haha. That's probably the best review on here.
Not returning a demo board and just handing over credit card details. ;)

I'd be interested in getting a run on one of these as my 2009 NHP has done nasty things to my knee's. Absolutely love it to bits, but i just can't spend 3 days after each session hobbling around recovering from it.

Just wanted to share about how stoked I am with this board. I have ridden it heaps now, and I will not ride any other board.

Its speed means that I can use it in super light winds. Its flexy tips mean I don't get frustrated in the chop anymore. I'm really impressed with the pop- it's helped me to pull off a number of fronts to blind recently.

It is just so soft under your feet, and I've never landed hard. This is a board that you have to try to believe. I have used well over a dozen boards now, and this one outshines the rest.

(N.B. I have no brand or shop affiliation. I am just so happy with this board.)

P.S. One downfall though- straps are not comfy

Are you bringing one for the PNG trip Marvin?

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ApatheticEnd said...

Are you bringing one for the PNG trip Marvin?

Yea for sure! Probably have to bring one for each of the guys on Trobiands trip in 4 weeks or you guys will be fighting over the boards. haha

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INTHELOOP said...

ApatheticEnd said...

Are you bringing one for the PNG trip Marvin?

Yea for sure! Probably have to bring one for each of the guys on Trobiands trip in 4 weeks or you guys will be fighting over the boards. haha

so true

hey,

I'm thinking of buying Laluz but just got an offer for Balance Wide or any other of their models. Can anyone compare Laluz to any of the Balance boards?

regards,
peter

The balance boards are really nice as well, but the ride on the La Luz is way more comfy, especially on landings.

I have been riding the 132 LaLuz for a couple of months and it is an amazing board. I am heavily into freestyle and it gives me plenty of pop for all my tricks and the board is super forgiving on the landings which i find is pretty rare in the boards i have ridden.

I would deffinitely recommend this board for anyone who just wants a nice comfortable ride, to progressive freestyle riders who want to push themselves to the next level.

I ride a Balance and it can get a bit frustrating in heavy chop. They dont have anywhere near the flex of a La Luz. Evan offered me a ride today but i was out of time so cant compare but i will for sure be trying one soon. I think it just depends on what your riding conditions are like.

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jas73 said...

I ride a Balance and it can get a bit frustrating in heavy chop. They dont have anywhere near the flex of a La Luz. Evan offered me a ride today but i was out of time so cant compare but i will for sure be trying one soon. I think it just depends on what your riding conditions are like.

hey Jas,

did u get the chance to try laluz yet?

No not yet. No wind and too much work. Hopefully soon[}:)]