lightwind surfboard

[iLog]

I wanna start with the directional and I am fairly new to kiteboarding.
mostly I want to catch light wind days and some small /medium waves.
I have a 12 m core xr4 and I'm planning to buy a 8m kite.

I have been offered a 2018 north wam 5'10 lightly used for 450 usd.

I think its a good price for the board but my concern is that its too small for my weight.
Is it possible to learn on this size board or should I go bigger size ?

[knotwindy]

I suppose it depends on what your weight is?

[iLog]

sry I forgot to write it
I have 100 kg

[norcom]

According to the North website they recommend the board for 70-90kg:
https://www.northkiteboarding.com/produ ... /surf/wam/

It really depends on what you consider "light wind" but I don't think it'll be a "light wind" board for you. Though it'll be better than a small twintip. There are bigger boards out there with more volume that you would probably have more fun with. But my "light wind" and your "light wind" are different.

[iLog]

I consider light wind 12-16 kt

[norcom]

I consider light wind 12-16 kt

I don't think at 100kg you'll have much fun in 12-16knt on a 12m and that board. Maybe 15knots+ but depends on your skill level. I have a 2015 Airush Cypher which was over three inches thick and around 31L. Because it has lots of volume, I can make it work in 12-16knots on a 12m with long lines but it's hard on the lower end and I'm 82kg. (gained weight)

For your size I think you need a bigger kite and a bigger board if you want to go lighter. Longer lines (27-30m) will help your 12m gain a little extra grunt but slow it down. Look for volume in a board. The more boyancy you have the less work the kite has to do. Fin size will also help but only to a certain degree. Something like an Airush Sector might make the wind you're talking about usable with a 12m but that's a free-race board and really sucks in waves. (though I've used mine in waves plenty)

[PullStrings]

Go definitely "wider" and 4 fins like a North Nugget

[BWD]

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

[foilholio]

Low end is about more board area and flatter rocker, it has nothing to do with volume. Yes volume will help you get on plane, but if you cant get on plane easy i.e. without the help of volume you won't be riding well.

Easiest way to get more board area is width. You can't ride bigger boards with straps well. With more width you need to move feet to change turns, which on a wave is harder. Flatter rocker gets you upwind easier, but makes riding waves much harder and may feel like shit on a wave.

Imho there is not really a way to avoid flat rocker big boards below 10knots and kite well with easy upwind etc. I like potato shapes for light wind and in general. You won't really get the size you need from any kite brands. There is so many surfboard brands and shapes to choose from. Getting a board shaped is ultimately the best solution as otherwise you will never get the exact design best for lightwind. So few even know what is possible with kites and waves and lightwind.

Oh and 450 for a used board is an utter pole up the ass. You can can get new regular surfboards for a fraction of that, let alone used which you could get a set for that money.

[Kamikuza]

What foilholio said -- Airush Slayer v1 was an exceptionally easy to ride light wind board, even for someone like me who is heavier than iLog. I still kick myself about not actually buying one when I could have. Tempted to get one made...