Guide for converting old surfboard?

[mmil002]

I have my brothers old surfboard lying around in my garage.

Does anyone know of a guide on how to convert a surfboard for kiting

Its a 6'5" three finned board

Just need to know where to put the footstraps really (on the centre line? one right forward the other at the rear?)

I know there are now kite-specific surfboards for sale but they cost $$$ and the surf/wind where I live is 4ft max (usually 2ft) with only 12kts wind so a bigger board should work well.

[noel]

Why do you need footstraps?

[evolve]

dont use straps!! its a surfboard for a reason. and putting screws/inserts into surfboards can turn out real bad considering how weak they are. but maybe somone on here has done it and can help.

[shredster]

I wonder if anyone has tried destraping an old windsurfer shortboard
to use in the waves?

[Nico]

Yse the board as it is without straps, and preferably with a bow kite.
That way you can unload your footpressure to avoid pressure dings from your heels.
I have used short windsurf boards too, but they are still very big for kiting.
Nico

[speedreef]

If you must put straps on the board then put them where your bro's feet

pressure dings are on the deck. Just next to the stringer.

I had old tow-in board from mid 90's about the same size

It was not glassed much heavier than your board and lasted

a year and a half kiting on it . It will last longer with no straps.

Another option is one strap at the front just to get you learning

how to hop the white water and then go strapless.

[Jesper]

guide:
http://www.cabareteairforce.com/news/17 ... 02-12.html

[simonm]

I used my regular glass board for a while, however it got trashed in a matter of months. I definately would recommend either an old beater that you don't care about or get a kitesurfing specific board that has a reinforced deck. The work done in Jesper's link did look pretty schmick though.

[mmil002]

I managed to convert the surfboard pictured. I've included some jpegs of how I did it incase others want to try. Its not as fancy as the guide on http://www.cabareteairforce.com/news/17 ... 02-12.html but it seems to work quite well and should get me out on light wind days. Maybe not as good as the real thing, but with a total cost of NZ$65 I'm not complaining.

[mmil002]

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