arpc wrote:I think you should compare Chopstick x Xride, no??

I have both Chopstick and X-Ride, in different sizes though. Chopstick is very nice and comfortable, I like how it behaves in chop or waves, I have had lots of fun with it. I rarely ride my X-Ride.

tautologies wrote:In terms of the boards difference. yessir big difference. ... The board glides over chop much more effortless and I must say it is a lot easier to ride fast on a reach or across the wind which is what I like.

Tempting... How can I ride my 2012 board after reading this?

tautologies wrote:I also tried some new fins on the 2013 Venturi..huuuuge difference. Super fun, and so fast.

What fins did you try? Is there a significant difference between 2012 Venturi (the biggest one) and the 2013 board?

Faber wrote:I'll use a 6'6" x18" pear tree blank, 22 mm thick. It seems a quiet light wood, not as soft as balsa.

Pear is quite strong, I don't think you really need glassing. I made my alaia from a fir blank; works fine impregnated with linseed oil.

You should be able to go through small beach breaks. bigger waves is a little harder. Perhaps I should work more on my technique. But I am also thinking about adding some rocker to the nose part. Here the option of making it myself was way more expensive than buying the naish one. Just the blanks w...

I built my own alaia but I am very far from doing tricks. I am ashamed to say that I even added some front straps for easier waterstart. I really appreciate the low end/upwind and it feels fantastic in flat water, but it gets very tricky in chop and when I try to get through breaking waves since the...

I would not do it without a rescue boat.

Btw, a very interesting board in the picture. What is it?

I have a couple of 2011 Ozones, also have had no problems with valves so far. Used to have such problems with pre-2010 North kites.

I can't share that enthusiasm about North/Rebel. I was riding North kites for few years and they seemed ok at that time but then switched to 4-line bridled bow kites and never wanted to look back. With my current setup (Ozone) I have much better depower range and kites are more stable. There are few...