Can anyone suggest a model of kitesurfboard please.

Suited to...

Intermediate kite skill,
NOT stupidly expensive,
4-5 ft or less wave riding i.e. NOT massive waves that will kill me
Value for money, long lasting and fun

I am not trying to be Ben Wilson

Anyone tried a F-ONE LEGEND, it can be ridden backwards...wondering if this is too much of a compromise, but could be useful in getting me out of trouble?

slingshot have a good looking board but might be too advanced as it had little bouyancy apparently..

anyone tried the new predator board straps...they look like a good idea but i am wondering how a normal surfboard will perform

many thanks...

You really need to decide if it's going to be an all-around or strictly light wind. If it's all-around then you need really thin rails and low volume to handle the speed. Remember, kiting 2' waves in 18kts is the same speed as surfing 7' Ulu's! If it's for low wind then just use your regular sufing short board... I'm 78kgs and ride a 5'7" x 17 1/4 x 2" (well I did, creased it yesterday ) and my light wind board is 6'2" x 18" x 2 3/8. Anyone want to sell me a '07 North Rocketfish (5'5")???

Thanks for the reply-will look into it all.

Do you have any experience of the following...

RRD Toxic - looks like a good idea to be able to ride either way (skull graphics arent my thing)

North Rocketfish-

Airush Hammer-

Slingshot SRT...

Any others I should consider or NOT consider...ideally one board that will do it all would best suit my budget...

The '07 models of all those boards are sick Not sure any of them meet your budget . Suggest you go buy a 2nd hand used surfboard from the local surf shop. Completely thrash it and then trash it when you're done learning. Then invest in a SRT or North RF......

wise words from a wise man

The hammer is a great board for wave riding and gives you the versitility of a twin tip. I really suits bow style kites because you can control the power so well and don't need to edge it too hard.
I don't think there is a great deal of difference between the 06&07 expect for a range in the sizes avaliable so you might pick up ann 06 cheap.

I reckon you should just use a surfboard that you would surf but one of your smaller ones. I have 4 boards rangeing from a 6'3 to 6'8 for surfing so i kite my 6'3. don't worry about foot straps for anything under 4 fott.

MY HERO MERGATROY RIDES A RAWSON 6,3 IN ALL SIZE SURF AND RIPS SOLID
KEEP SWINGING

Slingshot fuse?

Airush hammer?

anyone tried the fuse?

Hammer is a great board for waves, bit too stiff for freestyle but works best for where it is made for the waves.

Great for throwing huge arcs of spray skyward. also it still gives you that familiar twin tip feel but of course with the drive of a surfboard. Doesnt matter how hard you drive this board, it will hold and not let you down. Such a great board.

Cant recommend it enough. Now i am going to forget getting a surfboard and try and get a hammer instead..

If you are not sure then do the old surfboard thing suggested.

Around my Fav spot it's either TT or strapless surfboards.
and by surfboards I mean the guys seem to just use their surfboards.

And use a big one to start with, I got a soft deck elcheapo for chrismas
7'6" and it feels too small. But I like practicing on light days in small waves, so floatation is a big factor.

If you go straps then you will Jump and then you need board strength.
That means dedicated kiteboards and more dollars. Means you'd better like it, or you've wasted a lot of money.

predator straps are the go. stick em on any old board 6'0 to 6'6. best straps around for moving your feet in and in out quickly and freely.eing able to move your feet gives you more surf manouveres for as a start.

Are you just going to surf it or jump it as well, srt is for surfing only, if you wnt to jump like any other board and ride it back wards have a look at the slingshot fuse

i suggest a liquid force surfboard, i may coast a bit but it is worth the money

hi Protocol, if you go to Maroubra on a windy day nearly all the kiters use Predator straps and over at Wanda more and more people are starting to use them and if you ask some of these guys for a go on their boards you can see for yourself what the benefits are. PM me if you want to organise a demo.

Select to expand quote

anyone tried the new predator board straps...they look like a good idea but i am wondering how a normal surfboard will perform

many thanks...

An old surboard works best in the surf. The predator straps are great. I have put them on a surfboard and the best thing is you can use any old short board no plugs to resin in, just stick on the plates and screw the straps on. You can still surf the board with out the straps. Really safe strap for the surf if you find yourself in a sticky situation your foot comes straight out, no twisted or broken feet. I have been riding a Stonker with normal straps and have numerous times been caught with the board upside down and my foot still stuck in the strap. Which give me a thought, STRAPPED... Could I not screw a plate to one of the holes in my Stonker and I still have three holes to screw the straps into???

Can't we get spell check on this? SURFBOARD. There I got it.

Sambo about your question on screwing a plate down. If you do not use the tape supplied or use only one screw then the plate could have a tendency to spin off the centre line. If you could put two screws into the stonkers inserts leaving you with two screw holes in the habitat then it should be fine.

Anyone tried a fish style surfboard for kiting? Guess it would be extra light wind option, but some of them are up to 3" thick so might get a bit bouncy with any speed

the north rocket fish 5'10" is supposed to be fish style- it is 20 inches wide- it has a nice locked in feel without being bouncy- seems to handle the speed well- can engage a rail, and go upwind easily.

(rrd hyper type 12, OR one 12, sb2 16m- 87 kgs)

I ride a surfer sam with detroit wheels and deck grip. The trucks are really loose and I can click clack like a champion, like I am. Bottom turns are a bit hard especially in a single bed but I can go off the top in a shower.

quote:

---

Originally posted by barry boosta

I ride a surfer sam with detroit wheels and deck grip. The trucks are really loose and I can click clack like a champion, like I am. Bottom turns are a bit hard especially in a single bed but I can go off the top in a shower.

---

like is this done unhooked as well....