skimboard choice

[Cab Driver]

I used to have a Zap skim board but some one walked off with it one day. I now have a Phase 5 wake surfer skim. Both are the same company. Any skim will work if it is big enough. You are correct they are great for building up your balance. I personally would not buy one from a kite company as they charge too much for them. Just grab one from ebay. You can check out loosethestraps.com (not sure if that is the exact site been awhile since I was on the site). They have a section for skimboards only.

Bob from Phase 5/Zap makes a sick board. I've been using his stuff for 15 years. Personally, I stay away from carbon. Too stiff in my opinion. losethestraps.com is the spot.

[RadDrDuke]

Skim is amazing for super shallow water but for actual waves you want a surfboard.

My idea board is the Nobile Infinity Split Foil, great for travel, foiling, and decent surf

[Snapback]

thank you! i S- Glass in terms of stifness between carbon and E-Glass or just about the same as Carbon?

[fluidity]

I think s-glass is still very close to normal glass for stiffness, not in carbon's league. but consider carefully if you need it stiff or with resilience.

[Snapback]

so you would also go with s-glass then? in choppier conditions it would surely be better i think..

[Matteo V]

thank you! i S- Glass in terms of stifness between carbon and E-Glass or just about the same as Carbon?

This conversation is going to get pretty big and, fortunately for those who do not like to read my long posts, I do not have much to definitively say on it. My advice is for you to look up the properties - Tensile strength, Stiffness, Impact resistance of S-glass vs Kevlar (Aramids) vs carbon. There are also some other properties like UV resistance that come into play.

Here are some links to get you started:

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/blog ... is-better/

https://www.christinedemerchant.com/car ... rison.html

Stiffness IS NOT ALWAYS A GOOD TRADE OFF FOR IMPACT RESISTANCE!

My choice is S-glass since I can't get Basalt.
I have Kevlar and have used it, but I shy away from it as I have never gotten around to buying shears for it (PITA TO CUT WITHOUT).
Carbon is not something I want to build with, or own, since I am heavy, a bit careless........somewhat unlucky.......................and hard on gear.

[Matteo V]

Skim is amazing for super shallow water but for actual waves you want a surfboard.

My feelings (and experience) exactly. But don't be afraid to broaden your horizons trying something most of us will tell you (the OP) you won't like. You actually may be in the minority of kiters that enjoy kiteskimming in the surf.

[Snapback]

https://vimeo.com/231685962

just looks too much fun! as we don't really have waves in my country i normally ride choppy water or some small wind waves. skims are just fun to ride and flick around, but i think i'll wait to get a custom one until i rode it in 20+ knots to see how it deals with that.

[foilholio]

I love skimming in the waves, much more fun in small surf than a surfboard. I love them on big waves too l-) Floaters on a skim are like nothing else. You can also do all the skate like tricks on the wave face. I am drooling thinking about it

[Snapback]

i see your favorite beach is tarifa, did you use it there too? in poniente wind there are small waves and 15-20kn winds, it would be perfect for it! i will travel to tarifa for 3 weeks, as my surfboard is broken i consider just taking my skim. i'm a bit concerned that on levante days it will be too strong/choppy for a skim. i could go to other spots with less wind of course..

what skim do you ride?