lightwind surfboard

[Kamikuza]

Score an old slingshot dialer. Cheap, strong, decent performance for beginner, easy to learn jibes, can do straps, jumps etc...

Yeah I had one too -- 5'10 or 11 IIRC. They literally don't make them like that anymore -- I've not seen a modern surfboard over 20 inches wide. I think for iLog's weight he could do with a wider board than a Dialer too.

[PullStrings]

Here some over 20 "...........OP could use the 5'5" or 5'7"....but it cost more



A North Wam 5'10" is only.... 18 5/16" wide...2 1/4" thick...25.4 liter
I don't see light wind days (12-16 kn) possible with a 12 sqm at 100 kg with that board

[foilholio]

Over 20" is quite common with modern shapes. 22 to 24" I find good for lightwind. Board area is the factor. Physics would dictate a 50kg rider needs half the board area of a 100kg. Similar for kites except smaller kites have more advantage for power over larger because of a thinner profile allowing higher speeds.

There is also techniques of trying to ride most of the board in the water to get the best upwind. You ride with your weight more to the front of the board. It works well on some boards and not on others. You basically want to engage as much of the flat surface as possible.

[Kamikuza]

Yeah that was a poorly thought out reply...

What I meant was, most of the kite brands don't have a "big" sizes in their line-up, and they have maybe one light wind board but they don't seem to exceed 30L.

One site I was looking at the other day was giving wind ranges for the average kiter of 50 to 75kg

I'm thinking a 6'3" Vanguard is in my future

[norcom]

What I meant was, most of the kite brands don't have a "big" sizes in their line-up, and they have maybe one light wind board but they don't seem to exceed 30L.

Completely agree with this. My Airush Cypher 5'10 is 31L and 5’10” x 22 3/4” x 3 1/2". This thing is as big as my Sector v6 60 except for the fins. Much more fun in the waves and was my go-to board for quite a while. Then they dropped the volume on these models. The original Airush Slayer vere pretty good, large fins, tons of area, decent volume. Haven't seen anything like that again. Would love one so I could drop a foil box into it. Still debating if I want to cut my precious Cypher up to drop a box in.

Also agree that area will help tremendously but volume in boards usually comes with more area, otherwise you'd just have a very thick board.

[Kamikuza]

Here some over 20 "...........OP could use the 5'5" or 5'7"....but it cost more

Oh that's interesting -- none of the Firewire kiteboards are over 5'6" or wider than 20"...or more volume than 29L.

[foilholio]

Probably something to do with Felix. Same issue I am thinking switch kites has had.

[Matteo V]

I wanna start with the directional and I am fairly new to kiteboarding.

So you have some TT experience? That is what I will assume.


The best reason to dedicate some time to learning a surfboard is that you are no longer "happy" with the way a TT feels. Or, you just want to try a surfboard.

My suggestion is that you don't get off the TT to quickly. TT's are great at doing lots of things that directional's don't do well. You should learn those things on a TT and later move on and try to apply those skills on the different platform of the surfboard.


Here are some things you need to know:

1. In the beginning, it will be difficult to go between a TT and surfboard. The primary hurtle to overcome is changing your weight distribution. You ride a TT with your weight back pressuring the tail, but you ride a surfboard more evenly, though sometimes with your weight more forward.

2. In my experience, about 80% of kiters understand that they were lied to about a surfboard being better at light wind than a LW TT. Though you can make a LW surfboard go upwind better with some time and skill, it is not "plug and play" like TT's are. You won't see light wind benefits to a surfboard until after you have mastered the jibe. This is for many different reasons, but the primary ones are,
(a) surfboards have a more rounded outline and rounded rails made for smooth turns, not getting upwind when edged - so it is difficult to edge them upwind
(b) surfboards have lots of fin area compared to a TT, but getting upwind on fins requires flow (speed) over those fins as they are vertical foils - whereas a TT has the capability to set a hard edge to resist downwind pull instantly, without speed.
(c) steady wind is essential to a surfboard going upwind, turbulent wind favors a TT getting upwind for the reasons in (b)
(d) the volume of a surfboard is of no help above about 3mph where planning (plowing) forces take over from displacement forces - this is why LW TT's have no additional volume added (for the sake of adding volume) to them.
(e) the jibe loses upwind gains of a short tack on a surfboard, vs a simple transition on a TT. So shorter tacks (smaller lake, or not going so far out in the ocean) favor a TT.

3. Surfboards can be fun even if you cannot jibe. If you get hooked on the power of the fins (with speed), and the control over the tail, you may enjoy them without being able to turn the board around. But go into it understanding that the jibe takes lots of work to get - ESPECIALLY IN DIRTY WIND LOCATIONS!!! Don't expect to jibe right away. The kitesurfboard jibe is not nearly as difficult as a windsurfing jibe, but it will take some time and many dedicated sessions just to learn how to turn around. Oh, and you will be going downwind on that surfboard when learning to jibe. Durring that same time, you could be having a good session on a TT.


Just a disclaimer - I ride directionals exclusively because I like the feel. I sold all of my TT's a few years back. For me it was a feel thing. Originally I was just going to go back to windsurfing instead of continuing with kiteboarding. But when I finally got on a GOOD/SLASHY/POPY/FUN kitesurfboard, I was hooked and I don't windsurf much anymore. To me, kitesurfing was what windsurfing was always trying to be, but the high volume requirements of windsurfing held it back. In kitesurfing, there are no volume requirements.

[petato2]

Hi Ilog,

I am 85 kg, and ride only directionals since years.

Currently own two, a thinner 6.0 for the good wind days, and a shorter and wide 5,4 for the light ones.

I have tried different boards, not only surfboards but also skims. Recomend you to try a skim, is a complete different feeling and really fun. They work great in light winds because they are really flat. Also very cheap. If you find a dedicated kite one they have fins to help you at the beginning.

The bad side of skims is that they wont work that Wells in waves (unless you are a pro, which I am not)

For light wind days I am now riding a RRd Pop, short 5,4, really wide, four find, and with tones of volumme (+35?). It really works great for me in light winds. It keeps you going and with a bit of technic it goes upwind amazing. Also great to practice new moves.

I hope it helped.

[petato2]

A couple of suggestions,

Unless you are rich and want to waste your money, buy a cheap one, dont spend too much money on your first surfboard. It took me two or three different boards untill I learnt the right one for me. All them second hand. Then I did spend my money in a new one, which I own since years and expect yo keep forever.

Size is not and issue, for me is a matter of witdh, and volumme. On your first board go for the witdher and more volumme board. They are not the coolest ones but serve the purpose for begginers and light winds.