Rider: 100kegs intermediate
Style: None
Weather: various
Build Quality: excellent
Satisfaction: 9/10


My Comments:
Short and fat board for short and fat rider!
Having tried a variety of boards in various wind strengths , this is the one board I have come to rely on:
light and nedium strength winds (80% of the kiting I do).
With 19m and 13m Kites in 10-25knts
Great to be able to use such a short and manoeuvrable board in such a wide range of conditions. Like riding a soft fluffy cloud in lighter winds , I thought it would be hard to keep an edge in the stronger winds but somehow it isn't . ...it holds really well even in chop. Have been able to boost just fine and haven't really noticed a difference from other smaller and larger traditional tts I've tried. If I was only allowed 1 board this would be it. As it is I also have a strapless surfboard but it doesn't get much use as the speedball is fun in the surf and great for carving. Also fits sideways in my car! sounds like a small thing but really convenient :)
Can understand why this won't suit everyone but it It has been a revelation for a 100kg bloke like me and a good deal shorter than any board I thought I'd be on....
Foot pads very comfortable - need to re-tighten one the padding moulds to feet

Very good to hear daddycool.
I've been saying since first getting my head around the Speedball that one of its key pluses would be for big guys who never get the chance to play on a small board.
As you - and others say- it won't be everyone but those who like it froth over the different style it serves up.
Demos of both sizes available.

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daddycool said..
Like riding a soft fluffy cloud in lighter winds , I thought it would be hard to keep an edge in the stronger winds but somehow it isn't . ...it holds really well even in chop.

If I am anywhere where it is really choppy (say Kurnell or Dolls Point), I generally start on a SB but nearly always end up on the W18 for the sake of knees. And because they are so short and wide, you can spin the damn things round from toeside to healside and back without any dramas.

A lot of fun.

Hi Puppet - looking forward to demo when im back in Perth next month - looks like the speedball will be on the xmas list.

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daddycool said..
Like riding a soft fluffy cloud in lighter winds , I thought it would be hard to keep an edge in the stronger winds but somehow it isn't . ...it holds really well even in chop.

Was out 20 knots southerly this arvo (30 knot gusts), and the W18 was more like a big fluffy pillow than a fluffy cloud.
It was seriously awesome. Most fun i have had kite surfing. Fantastic on the one/two foot runners coming into broken bay.

Burnsy, your arse is still to big for the w18 speedball!! Blaaaaaaaaaah!!!!

Maybe ste, but not for your Mum

Ha!! When you back in Perth mate, I've got the w18 and it's a great fun board, speak to ray and I you can have a demo anytime. Cheers